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Adults who are blind or visually impaired learn to live independently in Wayfinder’s Hatlen Center at its new location in midtown Sacramento. In this immersive residential rehabilitation program, students receive training in their own apartment and learn to live on their own. They pay their own rent, plan and cook meals and travel to school, work or recreation. Each client pursues individualized goals that lead to a confident transition to a life of their own. Students may attend school or work part time while attending the Hatlen Center.

Changing the Future, Together

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Wayfinder's Hatlen Center is located in midtown Sacramento
The Gold Standard

Wayfinder’s Hatlen Center, the only one of its kind in the United States, has set the gold standard for fostering independence in individuals with visual impairment since 1972. The program was pioneered by Dr. Phil Hatlen, a passionate educator and advocate for the blind. Today, the program’s philosophy is centered on “real life, real learning.” Students live in their own apartments where the majority of lessons take place; whether it’s budgeting for groceries, preparing meals, or troubleshooting a maintenance issue. Unlike many dormitory-style programs, there is no cafeteria, nor staff to take out the trash. Instructors provide hands-on support in the students’ apartments or in the community, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for growth and skill-building through immersive experiences.