The Upshaw Institute for the Blind was established in 1961 as a non-profit organization called the Metropolitan Society for the Blind to provide direct services to people in the metropolitan Detroit area who were blind or visually impaired, and to provide consultation and staff training to health agencies and educational institutions. In 1970, the Metropolitan Society merged with the Detroit Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and became the Greater Detroit Society for the Blind. In 1993, the agency was renamed to honor the founding director, McAllister Upshaw. The agency has worked with many other community resources to improve awareness about blindness and its impact on individuals, their families, and the community.
Human beings use their vision to learn a great deal about the world in which they live.
Loss of vision is often accompanied by a sense of being isolated or dependent upon others. Agency staff help blind or visually impaired individuals to develop skills and attitudes of independence. At the same time, the agency tries to make the community aware of attitudes which place limitations on people who are blind or visually impaired. The Upshaw Institute is funded through support from the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, federal grants, and private contributions. A Short Chronological List of Upshaw Institute Milestones of Service.