Collaborating for a Common Vision

Last month, board members for the California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CAABVI) came together for the annual board retreat at the newly renovated Blind Children’s Center in Los Angeles. I have served on the CAABVI board for the past five years and am the immediate past president.

CAABVI is a member-driven organization committed to collaborating with one another to provide access to services for all Californians who are blind or visually impaired. At the helm of CAABVI is executive director, Anita Aaron, who brings decades of experience as a leader in the blindness services field along with her lived experience as a person who is blind. CAABVI has thrived under Anita’s deft leadership that fosters member participation.  Anita recently told me, “Everyone brings a unique perspective that can help CAABVI be an effective and collective voice for people living with vision loss.”

CAABVI board members in front of the Blind Children’s Center. L-R: Angie Rowe, Shellena Heber, Anita Aaron, Shari Roseler, Elsie Hurata (front), Lynn Dubinsky (back), and Sara Orth

At the retreat, Anita reflected on members’ combined efforts. She noted, “In the past few years CAABVI has advocated and won higher billing rates for Orientation and Mobility training and we have successfully advocated for the passage of AB2480 that established funding for services for adults who are new to blindness or are not ready for employment.”

During the retreat, we developed our strategic goals for the next three years. They emphasize the importance of collaboration, engagement and a continued commitment to delivering high-quality services.

There are 19 member agencies in CAABVI representing all areas of the state. Some agencies serve children, others older adults and some serve all ages. We have agencies that provide guide dogs, operate low vision clinics, or operate call centers or other industrial services. Thousands of individuals living with low vision or blindness are served by our member agencies each year.

With economic headwinds and potential funding cuts facing many CAABVI members, our board is even more focused on building that collaborative spirit among members. Whether it’s sharing ideas about recruiting and hiring staff or looking at ways to share resources, our common vision is to ensure that all Californians with vision loss can flourish.

Society for the Blind is a dedicated member of CAABVI, an organization that embodies what Helen Keller said so many years ago: “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”

Speaking of community support, I am proud to present Society for the Blind’s 2024 annual report. I hope you will check it out and see all the innovative ways that, together, we are empowering people living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential.