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 (CI) IS THE EMPLOYMENT DIVISION OF THE CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CABVI). CI EMPLOYS 172 PEOPLE IN AN INTEGRATED AND DIVERSE COMPETITIVE WORK SETTING COMPRISED OF 91 LEGALLY BLIND AND 81 SIGHTED INDIVIDUALS. TASKS INCLUDE PACKAGING, MACHINE OPERATION, CALL CENTER SERVICES, DATA ENTRY, WAREHOUSING SERVICES, CUSTOMER SERVICE, ASSEMBLY AND MANAGEMENT. EMPLOYEES EARN COMPETITIVE WAGES AND ENJOY BENEFITS SUCH AS PAID TIME OFF, HEALTH INSURANCE AND A VALUABLE RETIREMENT PLAN WITH UP TO 6% IN COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS. THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED ARE SOLD TO NEW YORK STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH THE PREFERRED SOURCE STATE PROGRAM AND THE FEDERAL ABILITY ONE PROGRAM. CABVI ALSO PURSUES COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS.

THE REHABILITATION SERVICES DIVISION OF CABVI SERVED 2,052 INDIVIDUALS, ASSISTING PEOPLE ALL OVER NEW YORK STATE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND SAFELY. SERVICES PROVIDED ARE: ORIENTATION & MOBILITY TRAINING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS MOVE SAFELY THROUGH THEIR ENVIRONMENT, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND UTILIZE COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE, SOCIAL CASEWORK TO HELP INDIVIDUALS DEAL WITH AND ACCEPT BLINDNESS, LOW VISION EXAMS TO HELP TO DETERMINE WHAT ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT CAN BE HELPFUL, VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO HELP CHILDREN WITH OCULAR MUSCLE IMBALANCE TO STRENGTHEN WEAK EYE IMPAIRMENTS; TO HELP ADULTS ADJUST TO 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 ACHIEVEMENT OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS ALONGSIDE THEIR SIGHTED PEERS, CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT IN CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT PROMOTES BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS OF VISION LOSS THAT COULD LEAD TO SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS IN TREATMENT, ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATION SERVICES THAT ALLOW CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE, ENHANCE FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH, REDUCE ISOLATION AND CREATE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES AND PRESCHOOL VISION SCREEENINGS THAT HELP IDENTIFY CHILDREN IN NEED OF EYEGLASSES OR ADDITIONAL VISION REMEDIATION. FOUR OF OUR COUNSELORS ARE LEGALLY BLIND AND RELATE VERY WELL WITH THE POPULATION THEY SERVE.

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