Most Guiding Eyes students spend 12 days in residence at our Yorktown Heights, New York campus, enjoying comfortable and private accommodations while they complete our training program.
Each student has their own room which includes a voice controlled smart TV, mini refrigerator, full sized bed and private bathroom. Linens, pillows and towels are provided. WiFi and digital assistants are available in each student room.
Our nursing staff is on campus 24 hours a day while on-campus is in session. The team of nurses can assist with routine medical needs, first aid, and emergencies. Our overnight nurses are available for emergencies and are known to participate in after hour fun such as movie nights and walks through our beautifully landscaped streamside nature path.
If you have any questions relating to your health needs, please contact:
Stephanie Fedele, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager
800-942-0149 ext. 2216
nursing@guidingeyes.org
Meals at Rosie’s Cafe are custom prepared with care to accommodate most dietary needs. Dining with us is often acknowledged as one of the highlights of a students’ Guiding Eyes experience. Students dine with their guide dogs at their feet while enjoying the company of classmates and staff in Rosie’s Café, which includes a coffee bar, and a variety of seating options including barstool and table seating.
Our menus cater to different diets and personal preferences (including low-sodium, low-fat, and vegetarian). There’s great range and choice, and we’re happy to try to accommodate favorites and requests. Our students find our meals healthy, nutritious, hearty, and lovingly prepared by our culinary staff.
Guiding Eyes has partnered with WayAround, utilizing NFC tags, (Near Field Communication tags). “WayTags” are placed strategically around campus, in tandem with ADA signage, or on features that typically require some vision to access or operate. The simple tag-and-scan system lets users tap their smartphone to the WayTag to quickly and easily identify things or access very specific, detailed information. Learn more.
Guiding Eyes has made use of flooring textures to make navigating the campus interior an easier experience. At mealtime, a hallway of laminate flooring meets a gradual carpeted ramp to Rosie’s Café, where hardwood floors lead you into the room. Area rugs are positioned strategically as points of orientation to alert visitors when they have come to an intersection, such as the entrance to the dormitory hallway. For our visitors with low vision, we have used contrasting colors, carefully selected lighting options, and blinds where needed to promote visual efficiency when traveling in our building.
Students enjoy free time on evenings and weekends. Many students bring hobby materials such as knitting and paints, or a yoga mat.
Guiding Eyes offers both an on-site fitness center as well as access to a local gym for students who wish to keep up their exercise habits while with us. Our on-site fitness rooms include dumbbells, a weight bench, a treadmill, elliptical trainer, and a recumbent exercise bike. Whether visiting a local gym, hiking, or using our tandem bicycles, we support a student’s desire to stay active during their downtime.
Our volunteers and staff are always up for an adventure, so if you want to go out to dinner, catch a movie, or go clothes shopping, let a member of the Client Experience Team know and we will work to make it happen.
Guiding Eyes can arrange for students to attend support groups or religious services. Requests can be made through the Client Experience Team.
On scheduled evenings, volunteers come in to instruct students in yoga. Periodically, Guiding Eyes students benefit from our partnership with a first run movie theater. This non-profit is dedicated to providing employment to people with disabilities, features adaptive technology, and always welcomes our students and their guide dogs. Learn More (video w/Thomas Panek)
Guiding Eyes has laundry facilities at the school that students can use in the evenings or on weekends. Detergent is provided.
At no cost to our students, Guiding Eyes provides a 5×7 group photo of each class and an individual 8×10 photo of each student and their dog. Additional prints and digital photos may be purchased.
“The entire staff at the school was so friendly and helpful, I immediately felt comfortable. Everyone at Guiding Eyes works to ensure each student and their guide dog succeed together as a team.”
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
© 2023 GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
