Lighthouse Central Florida Provides Confidence Boosting Experience for Children Living with Vision Loss

Lighthouse Central Florida recently gave children aged 5-13 who are blind or visually impaired the opportunity to experience an aerial ropes course to help improve their orientation and mobility – one of many areas of instruction that the organization provides for children living with vision loss, along with sensory efficiency skills, social skills and more. Made possible through a donation from Massey Services, the children visited Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park for the experience.

Furthermore, the activity gave the children a chance to have fun while boosting their confidence, demonstrating that they have the same abilities and opportunities as other children.

Through orientation and mobility activities, children are shown how to use sight alternatives for safe and independent travel purposes. Students are taught trailing techniques, search patterns, sighted guide techniques, use of vision for travel and orientation, use of the long cane, and independent travel in a variety of environments.

Lighthouse Central Florida provides education, independent life skills, and job readiness training and coaching to people of all ages living with vision impairment or blindness and their families. The organization is the only nonprofit provider of lifechanging vision rehabilitation services in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

For more information about Lighthouse Central Florida, visit www.LighthouseCFL.org

OUC Board Votes to Decrease Fuel Rate by 18%; Monthly Average Savings of $13 or More

OUC – The Reliable One’s Board of Commissioners voted to decrease pass-through fuel charges by 18% and lower electric rates for all OUC customers.

Effective June 1, residential and small commercial customers can expect to see a nearly 9% reduction in their overall electric bill. Mid to large commercial customers will see a decrease between nearly 9% to 11%. The base energy portion of an electric bill, which includes non-fuel OUC expenses, will remain the same. The average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours will see savings of $13 a month in Orlando/Orange County and $13.52 a month in St. Cloud/Osceola County.

“At OUC, as a hometown utility, we’re committed to providing not only reliable but also affordable electric and water services for our customers,” said Clint Bullock, OUC General Manager &

CEO. “We told customers we’d lower rates when we could, and we’re doing it. We thank them for their patience and understanding as we worked together through these challenging times. For 100 years, our customers have relied on us to deliver results and provide exceptional value, and this commitment will never waiver.”

OUC offers customers payment-management options, such as the Power Pass prepaid program and Budget Billing, as well as payment plans. To learn more, visit www.OUC.com/assistance. To learn about efficiency programs and ways to use less energy and water, visit www.ouc.com/ waystosave. Additionally, OUC’s Project CARE is an assistance program that was established in 1994 to provide emergency relief to those experiencing financial hardships.