Visitors and Donors
Vision-related Services in Indiana
People who live in the State of Indiana are fortunate because there are excellent resources for those who are visually impaired or blind. Here are some of our friends in the nonprofit world whose mission is aligned with ours, to give people back the use of their sight:
American Council of the Blind: An advocacy organization with members that meet around the city of Indianapolis. For information, call Mr. John Huffman at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone 317-228-0496.
Blind Children’s Foundation: The mission of the Blind Children’s Foundation (BCF) is to invest in the futures of Indiana’s children who are blind and visually impaired in ways that meaningfully enhance their education and their lives. BCF is a philanthropic foundation that financially supports the unique work of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Over the past 150 years, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) has developed substantial and unique expertise regarding the education of students who are blind and visually impaired. The School has established itself as a nationally-recognized educational institution and a critical state resource for Indiana’s children. Every year, the School educates hundreds of Indiana’s children and young adults ranging from 3 to 22 years old and living in all parts of the state. http://www.blindchildrensfoundation.org/
Bosma Enterprises: Bosma is dedicated to empowering people who are blind or visually impaired by creating opportunities that lead to the achievement of each individual’s employment, economic, social and self-determination goals. They specialize in providing services including rehabilitation, training and employment that allow Hoosiers who are blind or visually impaired to adjust to their circumstances by providing a seamless transition to employment and independence. Programs include Center-based rehabilitation, itinerant rehabilitation teaching, vocational assessments, community employment placement, organizational employment, student training and employment (STEP program) and a Senior Program. For information, call 317.684.0600 http://www.bosma.org
Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services: The Division exists to assist Indiana citizens who are blind and visually impaired in achieving vocational and personal independence by providing and supporting coordinated, effective and efficient services and advocacy statewide. Services include the Sheppard Business Enterprise Program which provides entrepreneurial opportunities for legally blind individuals to manage and operate their own business such as snack bars, highway vending sights, laundry facilities and cafeterias.
The Chapter 2 Older Independent Blind Program provides independent living services to individuals age 55 and older who are blind and visually impaired whose severe impairments make competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain. Services are administered statewide through a network of community rehabilitation programs.
Blind Registry: The purpose of the Blind Registry is to maintain a list of blind/visually impaired individuals to A) describe the extent and causes of blindness, and B) demographic information. Doctors register individuals and the database is used for needs assessment. For information, call 317-232-1433. http://bvis.in.gov
Indiana School for the Blind: Established in 1847, The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is accredited by state and national certifying organizations and has an enrollment of approximately 179 students. It receives funding from the State of Indiana, offers pre-school through high school programs, free of charge on a residential or day school basis, to the young people of Indiana who are blind and visually impaired.
The school provides instruction in the same coursework required of all school-aged children in Indiana. Specialized classes include orientation and mobility, adaptive physical education, independent living skills, vocational education, music instruction, Braille and specially adapted computer technology. Also available are experiences and opportunities to participate in recreational activities, on and off campus jobs, band, chorus, piano, scouting, creative dance, and ham radio, as well as involvement in competitive speech, track and field, wrestling, cheerleading and swimming.
After graduation, students enter the work force or continue their education at colleges or technical schools. Graduates of ISBVI are involved in such careers as law, education, computer technology, business sales, manufacturing, supportive employment and health services. http://intra.isbrockets.org/public/
Indiana Lions Eye & Tissue Transplant Bank: The mission is to improve the quality of life through eye and tissue transplantation, medical research and education while maintaining the dignity of donors and their families. The organization provides screening, recovery, testing, processing and distribution of tissues for transplantation; provides tissue for research; and promotes donation and benefits of transplantation.
National Federation of the Blind: The mission of the Federation is two-fold: to help blind persons achieve self-confidence and self-respect and to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression by the blind. Special services include a Materials Center containing over 1,100 pieces of literature about blindness and 400 different aids and appliances used by the Blind; the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind, the world’s largest evaluation and demonstration center for all speech and Braille technology. Indiana has several local chapters. Contact President Ron Brown at (80) 326-9190 for more information.
