Central Association For The Blind Inc

TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVELS OF INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES AND OFFERING INTEGRATED COMPETITIVE JOBS THROUGHOUT ALL LEVELS OF THE ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING SERVING ON THE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

CENTRAL INDUSTRIES: CENTRAL INDUSTRIES (CI) IS THE EMPLOYMENT DIVISION OF THE CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CABVI. CI EMPLOYS 170 PEOPLE IN AN INTEGRATED COMPETITIVE WORK SETTING COMPRISED OF 91 LEGALLY BLIND AND 79 SIGHTED INDIVIDUALS. TASKS INCLUDE PACKAGING, MACHINE OPERATION, CALL CENTER SERVICES, DATA ENTRY, AND ASSEMBLY AND MANAGEMENT. EMPLOYEES EARN COMPETITIVE WAGES AND ENJOY BENEFITS SUCH AS PAID TIME OFF, HEALTH INSURANCE AND A GOOD RETIREMENT PLAN WITH UP TO 6% IN COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS. THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED ARE SOLD TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH THE PREFERRED SOURCE STATE PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL ABILITY ONE PROGRAM. CABVI ALSO PURSUES COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS.

REHABILITATION: THE REHABILITATION SERVICES DIVISION OF CABVI SERVED 1,976 INDIVIDUALS, ASSISTING PEOPLE ALL OVER NEW YORK STATE, LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND SAFELY. SERVICES AVAILABLE ARE: ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS MOVE SAFELY THROUGH THEIR ENVIRONMENT, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND UTILIZE COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE, SOCIAL CASEWORK HELPS INDIVIDUALS DEAL WITH AND ACCEPT BLINDNESS, LOW VISION EXAMS HELP TO DETERMINE WHAT ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT CAN BE HELPFUL, VOCATIONAL TRAINING HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH OCULAR MUSCLE IMBALANCE TO STRENGTHEN THEIR WEAK EYE; TO HELP ADULTS ADJUST TO THE OCULAR IMPLICATIONS FROM A STROKE OR CONCUSSION, VISION REHABILITATION THERAPY TO ASSIST ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN BUILDING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITH TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHILDREN WITH VISION LOSS TO ENSURE THEY ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS ALONGSIDE THEIR SIGHTED PEERS, CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT IN CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS OF VISION LOSS THAT COULD LEAD TO SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS IN THREATMENT, ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES THAT ALLOW CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH, REDUCE ISOLATION AND CREATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES AND PRESCHOOL VISION SCREENINGS THAT HELP US TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN IN NEED OF EYEGLASSES OR ADDITIONAL VISION REMEDIATION. THREE OF OUR COUNSELORS ARE LEGALLY BLIND SO THEY CAN RELATE VERY WELL WITH THE POPULATION THEY SERVE.

BASE SUPPLY CENTERS: THE THIRD LARGEST DIVISION IS COMPRISED OF SIX BASE SUPPLY CENTERS, WHICH ARE OFFICE SUPPLY STORES ON MILITARY BASES IN THE NORTH EAST. MANY OF THE PRODUCTS SOLD IN THESE STORES ARE PRODUCTS MADE BY CABVI AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE DISABLED. THESE STORES EMPLOY SEVEN LEGALLY BLIND EMPLOYEES THAT SERVE CUSTOMERS.