Blue Grass Council Of The Blind

THE MISSION OF THE BLUEGRASS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (BCB) IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY A LOSS OF SIGHT, IMPROVING LIVES FOR ALL BY EMPOWERING PERSONS WITH A LOSS OF VISION TO CONTINUE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AS PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE RIGHTS, ABILITIES AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE EFFECTS OF A LOSS OF SIGHT.

PEER SUPPORT - PEER SUPPORT EMPOWERS PATICIPANTS THROUGH GROUP SUPPORT, EDUCATION, INFORMATION, AND INTERACTION SUPPORT IS OFFERED TO THOSE EXPERIENCING LOW TO NO VISION, AS WELL AS FAMILY, CAREGIVERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED THROUGH PEER SUPPORT AND OUTREACH, BCB SERVED MORE THAN 1,000 KENTUCKIANS IN FY 2020. CONSUMERS REPORTED INCREASED INDEPENDENCE, SAFTEY, INCLUSION AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE COMONENTS OF PEER SUPPORT, WHICH INCLUDE GROPU SUPPORT MEETINGS, COMMUNITY OUTINGS, MENTORING, INFORMATION AND FERERRAL EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS, AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION. ALL SERVICES PROVIDED ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO CONSUMERS. BCB IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, HOWEVER, MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED TO RECEIVE SERVICES.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING - BCB SERVES AN AVERAGE OF 250 UNIQUE CONSUMERS EACH YEAR THROUGH THE ASSISTIVE TECNOLOGY AND TRAINING PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH LOW TO NO VISION TO BE MORE INDEPENDENT, HEALTHY, WELL-ADJUSTED, ACTIVE, PRODUCTIVE, CONFIDENT, AND SAFE THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING. SERVICES INCLUDE DEMONSTARATIONS, TRAINING, IN-OFFICE USE OF EQUIPMENT, DISTRIBUTION OF DEVICES, REFERRALS, PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND A TECHOLOGY LENDING LIBRARY. CONSUMERS REPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED THEM INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, EMPLOYABILITY, SAFETY, HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE.