Spokes Unlimited

11/05/2025

02/20/2024

Happy New Year...a little late!

SPOKES is happy to announce starting March 5th, every Tuesday from 9am-4pm we will have walk-in times available. No need to make an appointment ahead of time, just first come first served.

Questions about SSDI/SSI? Need help filling out paperwork? Need help finding resources in the basin? Walk-in and be seen!

03/09/2022

SPOKES now has FREE COVID at-home tests!

Come down and get your COVID preparedness pack including at-home COVID testing kits, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and masks all for the low low price of FREE!

SPOKES Unlimited
1006 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
541-883-7547

10/13/2021

Just an FYI:

White Cane Safety Day, October 15

Friday, October 15, is White Cane Awareness Day emphasizing the importance the white cane plays in the lives of the sight impaired moving safely and freely from place to place, work, school or around our neighborhoods . Remember, always leave a cushion and stay clear of the crosswalk. And remember, in Oregon, it’s the law.


Videos
7 Benefits of a White Cane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NTmBHLsI6w

What is the Best Method to Guide Someone Who is Blind or has Low vision?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOpaWPfAe0s

Why Sidewalks Have Bumps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EFKtuWdmEI

Poorly Placed Signs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmYgkkCmJWA

Getting around a city using a cane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nILU4BmexTc

Safety Tips For People Who Are Sighted

• Stop your car at least 5ft. from a crosswalk. Pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind may use the sound of your engine to locate crosswalk boundaries. If any part of your car is in the crosswalk, they may misjudge the safe area.

• Avoid honking at individuals using a white cane. People who are blind or visually impaired have no idea why you are honking.

• It is okay to ask if assistance is needed. Ask the person who is blind or visually impaired for permission before trying to assist. If the person asks you to help guide them, offer your arm. They will hold your arm just above the elbow to follow your path.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact the SPOKES staff!

06/29/2021

The Klamath County health Department has identified the following indoor sights as informal cooling centers:

1) The Klamath County Library located on Klamath Avenue.

2) The Klamath Senior Center located on Arthur Street near the fairgrounds (not serving meals at this time).

3) Fred Meyer store who is offering a free water station. They having seating area near Peets Coffee. They are open 7am-10pm.

4) Walmart on Washburn way open 24 hours. They also having two seating areas.

The Mission confirmed that they are open for people to hang out in their day rooms from 9 am until 6 pm.

Remember to stay hydrated and safe during these high temperatures!

05/10/2021

Just an FYI, we are running low on funds to assist persons with disabilities with COVID related hardships. If you or someone you know have a disability and were effected by COVID in someway, contact us today for more information on how we can help.

For example, we were able to get Jacob transportation and he was kind enough to allow us to take a picture!

05/05/2021

We are STILL looking for people who need help due to COVID 19, you must meet these requirements:
1. You MUST be a person with a disability.
2. The need must be from the time period from January 20, 2020 to the current date.
3. The need is a result of COVID 19 (does not mean that you had COVID 19). Examples:
a. You lost your job because of COVID 19
b. Having a hard time connecting to services because offices are closed due to COVID 19 and you have no way to communicate with them.
c. You are finding it hard to meet expenses because COVID 19 has created higher prices for your needs
4. If you meet requirement number 1 and 2 above, call and talk to our Independent Living Staff, they will assess if you might meet the requirements for these funds. Determination will be case by case.

*Please note, we are a small office and this could take time to contact individuals, schedule phone/Zoom appointments, and make a determination on your qualifications.
Contact SPOKES Unlimited
541-883-7547
Let the staff know you are interested in our COVID 19 Funds so they will know how to help you.

01/20/2021

We are looking for people who need help due to COVID 19, you must meet these requirements:

1. You MUST be a person with a disability.
2. The need must be from the time period from January 20, 2020 to the current date.
3. The need is a result of COVID 19 (does not mean that you had COVID 19). Examples:
a. You lost your job because of COVID 19
b. Having a hard time connecting to services because offices are closed due to COVID 19 and you have no way to communicate with them.
c. You are finding it hard to meet expenses because COVID 19 has created higher prices for your needs
4. If you meet requirement number 1 and 2 above, call and talk to our Independent Living Staff, they will assess if you might meet the requirements for these funds. Determination will be case by case.

*Please note, we are a small office and this could take time to contact individuals, schedule phone/Zoom appointments, and make a determination on your qualifications.

Contact SPOKES Unlimited
541-883-7547
Let the staff know you are interested in our COVID 19 Funds so they will know how to help you.

09/30/2020

How White Canes Work

We use our senses of hearing and touch to explore and understand the world around us. The white cane, in effect, makes our hands and arms longer, so that we can assess the situation, and move quickly and confidently. The white cane allows us to avoid obstacles, find steps and curbs, locate and step over cracks or uneven places in the sidewalk, find doorways, get into cars and buses, and much more.

What to Do When You See Someone Using a White Cane

When you see a blind person using a white cane, remember that the cane is our tool to safely and independently navigate the environment. There's no need to shout warnings or try to physically steer us so that our canes won't bump into things. Remember that we are using our canes to explore what is around us. If we need any help or direction, we will ask. If you are driving or cycling and see someone using a white cane, you must follow the law and stop to give that person the right of way. Here are more tips to keep in mind when meeting a blind person https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month/courtesy-rules-blindness.

The History of White Cane Awareness Day

While it was not uncommon throughout history for blind people to use a stick or cane to navigate, society largely didn't accept that blind people could travel by ourselves until recently. In the 1960s, the National Federation of the Blind became a leader in fighting for the rights of the blind and in pioneering innovative training programs using the white cane. At our urging, the United States Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1964 designating October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day and recognizing that white canes enable blind people to travel safely and independently.
While the white cane does keep blind people safe (because drivers and other pedestrians can easily see it), it is also a tool that blind people use to explore and navigate our environment. For this reason, the emphasis of White Cane Safety Day has shifted over time away from safety, and toward independence and equality. We believe that it's important to celebrate this history and recognize the white cane as the tool that allows the blind to "come and go on [our] own" as President Lyndon Johnson said back in 1964.
To emphasize the shift in focus from safety to independence, and to continue to use the white cane as a symbol, we have chosen to refer to this day as White Cane Awareness Day.

Free White Cane Program - https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program

Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane: Instructions in Cane Travel for Blind People - https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/books/cfcane/canetc.htm
And for fun!
The White Cane Freedom March

Walking with the Cane, Rule One Planning Practice Routes Going Up and Down Stairs Listening to Traffic on the Street as a Guide Which Way Can Cars Turn At Intersections? Environmental Clues and Mental Maps Expanding Your Horizons One Dangerous Situation to Avoid Crossing Big, Busy Intersections What...

07/28/2020

Don't forget, we are back in the office BUT we do not have the doors open to the public just yet.

We are currently scheduling phone and Zoom appointments Monday through Thursday with limited hours on Friday. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions on anything :).

05/08/2020