Home

If you’ve ever brushed up against a prickly pear or Saguaro cactus, it is very hard to get those cactus stickers out. And that was the point of the two-day VisionServe Alliance conference: Develop networks that stick – so you can make change that has a positive and lasting impact. The annual CEO Summit of […]

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”     Helen Keller      April 15th through the 21st is Volunteer Appreciation Week, and here at Society for the Blind we are deeply grateful for the more than 210 volunteers who give their time and talent […]

March 8th marked a milestone for Society’s Low Vision Clinic, as we made our inaugural mobile clinic trip to Chico, CA. There we set-up our portable exam room and our Optometrist saw patients throughout the day. We were also able to demo electronic magnifiers for our patients on-site, allowing us to expand our ability to […]

I recently had the honor of attending a memorial service for a long-time donor to Society for the Blind. Gerald was a loyal donor and supporter of our services for many years. He made sure that his giving didn’t end when he passed away, by planning ahead.  Gerald made a Planned Gift to Society, ensuring […]

Let me begin by wishing all of you a Happy New Year! As we usher in 2018, there is a good deal of excitement about the year ahead at Society for the Blind. This year we are expanding to the second phase of our CareersPLUS program after a successful launch in 2017. CareersPLUS focuses on […]

As the season changes and fall comes to life in all its splendor and abundant color, it’s a good time to slow down a bit and reflect on the abundance of generosity and kindness you, our friends, volunteers, donors and community partners, have shown to Society for the Blind. All of us at Society for […]

Society for the Blind will join with more than 15 community organizations to celebrate White Cane Safety Day this year. As part of our Youth and Family Resource Fair on Saturday, October 14, we will take a walk in the Midtown Grid from 2:15-3:30pm to see the new Brailled signage as we raise awareness of […]

Society for the Blind received a gift on Aug. 14 that will keep on giving. VSP (Vision Service Plan), a global eye care services provider headquartered in Sacramento, donated a Mobile Eye Clinic Van to Society for the Blind, along with portable eye exam equipment and low vision devices and products. The gift presentation on […]

On July 25th, Society for the Blind received its official notification from the California Department of Rehabilitation that we were awarded a three-year re-certification to provide assessments and training in Independent Living Skills, Braille, Assistive Technology and Orientation and Mobility. As a state-certified Community Rehabilitation Program, Society for the Blind is required to undergo an […]

Earlier this month, I attended the national convention for the American Council of the Blind (ACB), in Sparks, NV.  This annual convention offers an opportunity for people across the country who are blind or have low vision, together with rehabilitation agencies and affiliated organizations to come together to discuss ideas, trends and concerns. One area […]

By Aser Tolentino, Assistive Technology Instructor Many years ago, stakeholders in the assistive technology industry began to gather at an annual conference hosted by California State University Northridge. Though the gathering has since far outgrown its humble beginnings, the conference is still hosted by the Center on Disabilities at CSUN, in downtown San Diego. There, […]

By Aser Tolentino, Assistive Technology Instructor When living with a visual impairment, the choice of technology has a profound impact on how you interact with the world around you. Here at Society for the Blind, our staff use a variety of tools to do their jobs and live life to the fullest. Working with Access […]

By Aser Tolentino, Assistive Technology Instructor This summer, Microsoft released an app called Seeing AI. It did so with relatively little fanfare when you consider just what the app represents. The app, currently available on iOS with an Android version to follow, provides access to powerful algorithms that recognize not only text, but barcodes, faces […]

By Aser Tolentino, Assistive Technology Instructor Every summer, members of the two national blindness organizations gather at conventions that are part professional conference, part social gathering, and complete pandemonium. The National Federation of the Blind traditionally holds its convention in Orlando, Florida while the American Council for the Blind rotates their venue around the country. […]