For nearly 70 years, Society for the Blind, a Sacramento-based organization has developed invaluable services to improve the lives of those who are blind or have low-vision — and make their environments more accessible. Society for the Blind serves people in 27 California counties, producing Braille media and training, a youth program, a specialized clinic, and news access.
Vision loss is among the most-feared health conditions, said executive director Shari Roeseler, because many worry about losing their independence.
“What we say about vision loss: It’s a low-incidence, high-impact health condition,” she said.
Society for the Blind
Society for the Blind works to minimize that impact, providing the conditions for their clients to thrive.
Located in downtown Sacramento, Society for the Blind is home to a Low Vision Clinic to treat people with Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and other conditions that can cause low vision. There, patients are guided through options that include assistive devices to improve their daily lives. Through its youth programs, the organization supports young people with vision loss or blindness by teaching them Braille and helping them keep pace with their academic, personal, and career goals.
In 2022, with a grant distributed through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Safety and the League of California Community Foundations, the organization developed emergency preparedness materials specifically for their clientele. This allowed the organization to translate the Listos California Disaster Preparedness Manual into English and Spanish Braille, and begin to Braille the items in dozens of go-kits provided by Listos California. An audio version of the manual is also available through Society for the Blind’s telephone reader program, Access News.
As Society for the Blind approaches its 70th anniversary in 2024, it continues to foster a nurturing community for people with blindness and low vision to live fulfilling lives.