For more than 80 years, the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired has been helping restore autonomy and independence to the lives of Pennsylvania residents who are blind and vision impaired.
From education and prevention to rehabilitation and employment, SABVI takes a comprehensive approach to services.
Through generous donations from area residents and the support of businesses throughout the community, SABVI strives to help the blind and vision impaired, take back their independence and improve their lives!
As baby boomers reach retirement age and beyond, vision services are more vital than ever. And, the ever growing population of people with diabetes and other diseases that may affect vision will only increase the need of quality vision care.
To help lessen the effects of this vision loss epidemic, SABVI:
History
Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired (formerly the Lancaster County Association for the Blind) was founded in 1926 and is one of the oldest, and largest, non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to help enable people of all ages who are blind or are vision impaired to live independent, productive lives and overcome the challenges of vision loss.
A group of six people created a small workshop for several blind individuals in a few rented rooms at 218 East King Street. The group hired a shop supervisor who taught workers skills such as basket making and chair caning/weaving. The products were then sold in a store.
Over the years, the organization grew and changed locations several times. The Association was located at 320 North Queen Street Lancaster from 1932 to 1938. In 1938, the Association moved to an old school building, which was donated to the Association by a Board Member, at 506 West Walnut Street Lancaster. In 1977, the Association purchased property at our current location, 244 North Queen Street, Lancaster. After renovations were completed, the Association took occupancy in 1979.
A major facility renovation was completed on the Queen Street building in 2003. The renovation took the building from 48,000 square feet to over 60,000 square feet. The renovation included construction of a Commons area for use by other civic groups and organizations and an in-house optometric office which offers eye examinations and eye care services to the community for a discounted rate.
The Association did not only change in size, location, and scope of services provided but the philosophy has been changing as well. During the past ten years that philosophy has been particularly dynamic. No longer is it assumed that individuals with vision impairments and blindness need others to take care of them. Focus is now on allowing these individuals to be as independent as he/she possibly can be, and to become and remain a productive member part of the general community.
In May 1997, LCAB became the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired when it assumed responsibility for providing services in Lebanon County. Previous to the merger, Lebanon County residents received these services from the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.) Also in 1997, the words "and Vision Impaired" were added to the Association's name to encourage individuals who are not legally blind, but who are vision impaired, to make use of the Association's services.
In June of 2007, SABVI added its second satellite or third facility by opening Independence Industries in North East Philadelphia. Independence Industries is the first facility of its kind to offer employment opportunities to the blind or vision impaired in the Philadelphia region.
The Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind was established in 2007 by the SABVI Board of Directors. Following more than half a century of service, the Board of Directors and managers envisioned a brighter future for the blind and vision impaired clients served by the Association. Born from that vision, the Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind is determined to create breakthrough opportunities in employment and education for Americans who are blind.
In addition to providing financial support for the entire SABVI organization through the acquisition and management of charitable donations, the Foundation exists to create breakthrough opportunities in education and employment for Americans who are blind. Our college graduate and post-graduate scholarships, internship programs and work-site preparation programs will help people who are blind build the careers of their choosing. We are particularly interested in providing support to men and women who have lost their vision through injuries suffered while serving in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Explore our Web site to learn about grants, scholarships and the many creative ways in which you can give in support of our Mission.
January 2008 brought about a merger with yet another blind association, Somerset County Blind Center, in Somerset, PA. Somerset County Blind Center offers the same services offered by SABVI in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.
In the Fall of 2008, SABVI opened the Alley Center for the Blind in Lebanon County. The 19,000 square foot Alley Center for the Blind enables the Association to expand services and employment opportunities in Lebanon County. Alley Center combined the industrial division (Myerstown) and the rehab services offices…under one roof.
From education and prevention to rehabilitation and employment, SABVI takes a comprehensive approach to services.
Through generous donations from area residents and the support of businesses throughout the community, SABVI strives to help the blind and vision impaired, take back their independence and improve their lives!
As baby boomers reach retirement age and beyond, vision services are more vital than ever. And, the ever growing population of people with diabetes and other diseases that may affect vision will only increase the need of quality vision care.
To help lessen the effects of this vision loss epidemic, SABVI:
- provides unmatched professional vision rehabilitation services to help prevent or reduce the effects of vision loss
- helps maintain vision with early detection and eye disease management
- instructs people of all ages who are visually impaired to lead safe, productive, and independent lives
History
Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired (formerly the Lancaster County Association for the Blind) was founded in 1926 and is one of the oldest, and largest, non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to help enable people of all ages who are blind or are vision impaired to live independent, productive lives and overcome the challenges of vision loss.
A group of six people created a small workshop for several blind individuals in a few rented rooms at 218 East King Street. The group hired a shop supervisor who taught workers skills such as basket making and chair caning/weaving. The products were then sold in a store.
Over the years, the organization grew and changed locations several times. The Association was located at 320 North Queen Street Lancaster from 1932 to 1938. In 1938, the Association moved to an old school building, which was donated to the Association by a Board Member, at 506 West Walnut Street Lancaster. In 1977, the Association purchased property at our current location, 244 North Queen Street, Lancaster. After renovations were completed, the Association took occupancy in 1979.
A major facility renovation was completed on the Queen Street building in 2003. The renovation took the building from 48,000 square feet to over 60,000 square feet. The renovation included construction of a Commons area for use by other civic groups and organizations and an in-house optometric office which offers eye examinations and eye care services to the community for a discounted rate.
The Association did not only change in size, location, and scope of services provided but the philosophy has been changing as well. During the past ten years that philosophy has been particularly dynamic. No longer is it assumed that individuals with vision impairments and blindness need others to take care of them. Focus is now on allowing these individuals to be as independent as he/she possibly can be, and to become and remain a productive member part of the general community.
In May 1997, LCAB became the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired when it assumed responsibility for providing services in Lebanon County. Previous to the merger, Lebanon County residents received these services from the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.) Also in 1997, the words "and Vision Impaired" were added to the Association's name to encourage individuals who are not legally blind, but who are vision impaired, to make use of the Association's services.
In June of 2007, SABVI added its second satellite or third facility by opening Independence Industries in North East Philadelphia. Independence Industries is the first facility of its kind to offer employment opportunities to the blind or vision impaired in the Philadelphia region.
The Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind was established in 2007 by the SABVI Board of Directors. Following more than half a century of service, the Board of Directors and managers envisioned a brighter future for the blind and vision impaired clients served by the Association. Born from that vision, the Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind is determined to create breakthrough opportunities in employment and education for Americans who are blind.
In addition to providing financial support for the entire SABVI organization through the acquisition and management of charitable donations, the Foundation exists to create breakthrough opportunities in education and employment for Americans who are blind. Our college graduate and post-graduate scholarships, internship programs and work-site preparation programs will help people who are blind build the careers of their choosing. We are particularly interested in providing support to men and women who have lost their vision through injuries suffered while serving in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Explore our Web site to learn about grants, scholarships and the many creative ways in which you can give in support of our Mission.
January 2008 brought about a merger with yet another blind association, Somerset County Blind Center, in Somerset, PA. Somerset County Blind Center offers the same services offered by SABVI in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.
In the Fall of 2008, SABVI opened the Alley Center for the Blind in Lebanon County. The 19,000 square foot Alley Center for the Blind enables the Association to expand services and employment opportunities in Lebanon County. Alley Center combined the industrial division (Myerstown) and the rehab services offices…under one roof.
