Renaissance man blind man defies odds in Carbondale life
Alvin Roberts, 72, legally blind for life, has spent four decades in Southern Illinois helping the blind through the Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services. He describes adapting with humor, earning degrees from SIU Carbondale, and guiding Braille and vocational services while working past personal losses and enjoying local social ties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linda Rush
Carbondale
Alvin Roberts
Roberts
Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services
Bureau of Blind Services
Illinois
Chicago
East College Street
Cathy
Roberts on life with blindness and daily journeys
A profile of a blind man recounting how he identifies currency by folding methods, uses credit cards carefully, and navigates daily life with transportation challenges. He recalls past bus routes, notes he rides Saluki Express occasionally, and hopes to explore Jackson County Mass Transit District options. He keeps a Gibson guitar from 1947 and plans for retirement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Roberts
Pk’s
Mary Lou’s Grill
The
Eagles
Mississippi Flyway
Showme’s
East Main Street
Trina Clark
Mary Lou
Carbondale
Cave-In-Rock
Harrisburg
Wal-Mart
Colp
Jackson County
Roberts Finds Success With The Written Word
Alvin Roberts has written 25 articles in professional journals and four books ranging from Psycho-social Rehabilitation of the Blind to collections of tall tales. He notes his 1967 Braille teaching text and mentions a survey project with Mark Birkett to evaluate rehabilitation services for elderly blind clients.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alvin Roberts
Mark Birkett
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale
Birkett
Alvin
Roberts
Services aid for the blind in Carbondale Illinois
Bureau of Blind Services of the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services offers help for blind individuals at 309 E. Jackson St Carbondale. Assistance includes labeling clothing and medicine cooking identifying money home repairs shopping and locating further aid from other agencies.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bureau of Blind Services
Illinois
Department of Rehabilitation Services
E. Jackson St
Carbondale
Murphysboro
Pine St
19Th
Farm Frest
Arbondale
Heilig-Meyers Energy
Harrisburg
Scott’s Dry Cleaning & Laundry
Cape Girardeau
Town & Country
Co workers organize benefit for off work coworker
The Clark family receives support from the community as the sheriff's department hosts a benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction at the Du Quoin VFW on February 23. Tickets cost through the sheriff's office, with 50-50 raffle, auction items, and cash donations invited to offset expenses.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Office
Clark
du Quoin Vfw
Nick Dolce
Kellerman
Accuracy Hotline for The Southern Illinoisan
Readers are urged to report inaccuracies in The Southern Illinoisan via the Accuracy Hotline. Local callers in Jackson County dial 529-5454 Ext. 5176, or 800 228-0429 Ext. 5176 from other areas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wokia
Southern Illinois
First Cellular
Jackson County
Also Mentioned on This Page
School For the Blind
Jacksonville
Mardale
Mace Vann
Nokia
Southern Illinois Unlimited
Southern Illinois Unlimited Plan
Iistcellular.com
Benton
Mlinois Centre
Lawrenceville
Marion
Mt. Carmel
Mt.Vernon Olney
University Mall
West Frankfort
Anna
Carmi Benton
du Quoin
Fairfield
Mt Vernon Olney
Sparta
Judy Greer
Barb Kinnear
Mike Nolen
Brendan Tolan
Action Pawn
Clearwave Communications
Crossville Communications
Dave's Telephone
Fountain's Gym Girl
Hamilton County Communications
Wabash Telephone
Kesel Hardware Mobile Radio Specialists
Novacom Inc
Shawnee Telephone
Isnet
Women’s Center, Inc
Paradise Alley Players Presents
Golden Pond
Ernest Thompson
Herrin Civic Center
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