VISION FORWARD ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: VISION FORWARD SERVED 204 CHILDREN THIS PAST YEAR, MORE THAN DOUBLING OUR IMPACT IN JUST FIVE YEARS. SPECIALLY TRAINED STAFF WORK WITH BABIES, TODDLERS, CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP YOUNG LEARNERS USE THEIR REMAINING VISION AND TO COMPENSATE FOR THEIR LOSS OF VISION WITH THEIR OTHER SENSES. INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED BY TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (TVIS) AND THERAPISTS, INCLUDING OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL, SPEECH-LANGUAGE AND MUSIC THERAPY. ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING HELPS CHILDREN LEARN TO MOVE THROUGH THEIR ENVIRONMENT SAFELY, INCLUDING USING A WHITE CANE AND NAVIGATING STAIRS. SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND BRAILLE, ADAPTED RECREATION, AND TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PREPARE THEM FOR ADULTHOOD.

VISION REHABILITATION: ADULTS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN LOSS OF VISION OR DEALING WITH AN AGE-RELATED EYE DISEASE SUCH AS MACULAR DEGENERATION, GLAUCOMA OR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ACCESS VISION FORWARD'S ADULT REHABILITATION SERVICES TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND ACCESS TOOLS THAT HELP COMPENSATE FOR VISUAL IMPAIRMENT OR BLINDNESS. TRAINING IS PROVIDED IN THE AREAS OF LOW VISION, DAILY LIVING (COOKING, CLEANING, ORGANIZATION), TECHNOLOGY, ORIENTATION, AND MOBILITY (SAFE TRAVEL AND USE OF THE WHITE CANE) AND BRAILLE. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPPORT IS COORDINATED BY OUR ON-STAFF SOCIAL WORKERS. LAST YEAR, VISION FORWARD'S ADULT REHABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDED TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO 1,070 ADULTS REFLECTING STEADY GROWTH IN OUR REACH AND IMPACT. THE ORGANIZATION HAD A 1,936 VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR.