Organization: AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF
Mission: A3 IS A 501 (C)(3) DEDICATED TO PERSONALIZED EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY VISION LOSS TO HELP THEM ADAPT, ADJUST, AND ACHIEVE MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE.
Activities: SIGHT FOR SENIORS A3'S SIGHT FOR SENIORS PROGRAM PROMOTES THE INDEPENDENCE OF B/VI SENIORS BY ASSISTING THOSE WHO MUST ADJUST AND ADAPT TO VISION LOSS TO REMAIN SAFE AND HEALTHY WITHIN THEIR OWN HOMES BY TEACHING SENIORS HOW TO USE ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES/ADAPTIVE DEVICES TO HELP COMPENSATE FOR VISION IMPAIRMENT. THE PROGRAM CAN HELP MAKE THE VERY BEST USE OF REMAINING VISION WHICH WILL HELP SENIORS AVOID PREMATURE LONG-TERM CARE PLACEMENT. A3 HOSTS SENIOR LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUPS IN THE DENVER METRO AND BOULDER COUNTY AREAS TO HELP IN THESE EFFORTS. PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED WITH OVER 100 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO HELP EXPAND THE PROGRAM AND FULLY PROVIDE FOR OUR CLIENTS. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES "SIGHTED ALLIES- AND "PHONE FRIENDS" WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO OUR CLIENTS.
OUTREACH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM/SERVICE AREAS: -VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE'S FAIR - "VIP" FAIRS ARE HELD TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE B/VI IN CONTINUING TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE FAIR INCLUDES SPEAKERS FROM SOCIAL SERVICES, FORMER CLIENTS, EXPERTS/MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, AND OTHERS PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE TYPES OF SERVICES AVAILABLE AS WELL AS WORKSHOPS ABOUT EYE DISEASE, MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES AND SELF-CARE FOR THOSE WITH EYE DISEASE. THE RESOURCE FAIR ALSO FEATURES A WIDE VARIETY OF EXHIBITORS OFFERING INFORMATION ON ADAPTIVE AIDS, TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SMALLER WORKSHOPS WITH A SIMILAR FORMAT ARE ALSO HELD IN SENIOR CENTERS/LIVING FACILITIES. A3 HAS NOW FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH KAISER PERMANENTE AND WORKING IN THEIR FACILITIES RELATIVE TO THIS WORKSHOPS PROVIDING AT LEAST 4 OR 5 WORKSHOPS A YEAR. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES - IN ADDITION TO OUR VIP FAIRS, A3 OFFERS OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS AND HOW INDEPENDENCE CAN BE MAINTAINED WITH VISION LOSS. WE PARTICIPATE IN MANY PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AS WELL AS EVENTS AT OTHER AGENCIES. PUBLIC AWARENESS & ADVOCACY - PRESENTATIONS TO SERVICE CLUBS, SCHOOLS, EMPLOYERS, ETC. PROVIDE VENUES FOR A3, ALONG WITH PRESENTATIONS TO SERVICE CLUBS, SCHOOLS,EMPLOYERS, ETC. PROVIDE VENUES FOR A3 TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUES FACING PEOPLE WHO ARE B/VI. WE ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE FOR MORE ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES, REDUCE OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION, AND FOSTER INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM.
NTEE category: Voluntary Health Associations & Medical Disciplines
Secondary category: Health Care