CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND INC

CENTRAL INDUSTRIES (CI) IS THE EMPLOYMENT DIVISION OF THE CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (CABVI). CI EMPLOYS 173 PEOPLE IN AN INTEGRATED AND DIVERSE COMPETITIVE WORK SETTING COMPRISED OF 100 LEGALLY BLIND AND 73 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 2,176 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 HELPS 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 THEIR WEAK EYE; 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,-PRESCHOOL VISION SCREEENINGS THAT HELP IDENTIFY CHILDREN IN NEED OF EYEGLASSES OR ADDITIONAL VISION REMEDIATION.