Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired

On the heels of our hugely successful ACBVI Adventures program, presented by the amazing team at BOK Financial, we are thrilled to share another special event. At the iconic ASU Gammage, we had the privilege of taking 50 adults who are blind or visually impaired to experience the magic of Hamilton!

To our dedicated donor/volunteers, your unwavering support made this life-changing opportunity a reality. Your generosity and commitment to our mission have truly transformed the lives of those we serve. Thank you Karen Tepper, Zoe Tepper, Diane Roberts, Till Somers, Riann Balch, Dylan Raymond and Khara Fuentes from the bottom of our hearts, for your invaluable role in making dreams come true. Your partnership is the driving force behind our continued success, and we are eternally grateful.

Later today Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired is bringing 41 blind & visually impaired clients to see Hamilton at ASU Gammage. Today (7/10) only, Pita Jungle is generously donating a percentage of the sales from their Tempe location to Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired. Please consider carry out, delivery, or dining in at Pita Jungle in Tempe today and supporting the clients at Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired fighting for their independence and a return to work.

Don't forget! tomorrow July 10th, Pita Jungle is donating a percentage of their sales to Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI). Not only will you enjoy delicious meal, but you'll also be supporting ACBVI. Pita Jungle is located at 4 E. University Dr. in Tempe, AZ and is open from 11am to 9pm. Stop by, treat yourself to lunch or dinner, and know that your purchase is making a difference for adults that are blind or visually impaired. https://pitajungle.com/locations/tempe-mill-avenue/ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/pHUobVVPsxkkS35Y/

On July 10th, Pita Jungle is donating a percentage of their sales to Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI). Not only will you enjoy delicious meal, but you'll also be supporting ACBVI. Pita Jungle is located at 4 E. University Dr. in Tempe, AZ and is open from 11am to 9pm. Stop by, treat yourself to lunch or dinner, and know that your purchase is making a difference for adults that are blind or visually impaired. https://pitajungle.com/locations/tempe-mill-avenue/

On July 10th, Pita Jungle is donating a percentage of their sales to Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI). Not only will you enjoy delicious meal, but you'll also be supporting ACBVI. Pita Jungle is located at 4 E. University Dr. in Tempe, AZ and is open from 11am to 9pm. Stop by, treat yourself to lunch or dinner, and know that your purchase is making a difference for adults that are blind or visually impaired. https://pitajungle.com/locations/tempe-mill-avenue/

Another Amazing ACBVI Adventures presented by BOK Financial is in the books! These special events don’t happen without our amazing village of supporters! A huge thank-you to: BOK Financial Brian V Barry, CPA, Ramiro A. P***a, Ron Parker, Connor Freemole, Ashley Montiel, Khara Fuentes, Zoe Tepper, David DeCero, and Michael Gricunas, The smiles we witnessed are due to the community who rallied to make this possible!!!

Amazing day at Tour de Scottsdale with David DeCero riding to benefit Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired & McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. A huge congratulations to Vickie McWatters who ran the best cycling event I have ever attended, bar none.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all, including those who are color blind, blind, deaf, and visually impaired! This holiday is traditionally associated with the color green, but let's remember to celebrate in ways that are accessible and inclusive for everyone. Whether it's through sharing stories, music, or tasty treats, let's come together and appreciate the diversity of our community. Wishing you all a joyful and inclusive St. Patrick's Day!

image:description: A photo of a large dog wearing a shamrock headpiece. In front of the dog are the words Happy St. Patrick's Day. The ACBVI Logo is visible in the background.

Imagine needing a vaccine but not being able to get to the clinic or pay. Many of our clients face barriers to receiving healthcare based on transportation or insurance needs.

Partnering with Maricopa County Public Health to bring free vaccines to our clients was a huge success!

Thank you Maricopa County Public Health for your help!

Technology opens doors to a world of possibilities! 🌐✨ Share your favorite assistive technology tips or devices that have empowered you in your daily life. Let's inspire each other to embrace the endless opportunities technology brings to the visually impaired community.

Here are some fascinating insights about deafness that you might not know. 🤟

1. Diverse Communication: Deaf individuals often use beautifully expressive sign languages, each unique to its culture and region.

2. Cultural Richness: The Deaf community boasts a rich culture with its own art, poetry, and traditions.

3. Early Intervention: Detecting hearing loss early and providing support can significantly improve life outcomes. If you notice any change in your hearing, see a doctor immediately.

4. Genetic Roots: Over 50% of deafness cases have a genetic basis, showing the complex nature of hearing loss.

Embracing deaf culture teaches us the beauty of diversity. Let's learn, not judge, and celebrate every unique way we communicate and connect.

Equipping People With Canes—Providing Independence Around the World Join the You Cane Give project to empower blind and low vision individuals globally with white canes and mobility training. Help break the cycle of dependence and foster independence. Get involved now at www.YouCaneGive.org.

Board Spotlight: Chris Wodarcyk “The most important thing to understand is that if people are thinking about where their next meal is coming from, then they’re not thinking about anything else.” - Chris Wodarcyk Chris Wodarcyk joined the Waste Not board almost five years ago. Originally the Board Chair of United Food Bank, h...

Share your favorite audiobook or podcast recommendation! Whether it's an inspiring story, informative podcast, or engaging audiobook, let's exchange recommendations.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month. Throughout February, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) encourages senior adults to learn more about AMD as a serious degenerative eye disease that can cause irreversible vision loss or blindness if left untreated.

https://www.med.unc.edu/ophth/2023/01/february-is-age-related-macular-degeneration-awareness-month/ #:~:text=February%20is%20Age%2DRelated%20Macular%20Degeneration%20Awareness%20Month!,-January%2029%2C%202023&text=Advanced%2Dage%20adults%20who%20face,of%20blindness%20—%20cataract%20and%20glaucoma.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month! | Department of Ophthalmology Advanced-age adults who face increased odds of developing a degenerative eye disease frequently narrow their worries to conditions that are most in the spotlight and/or prevalent, such as the world’s two leading causes of blindness — cataract and glaucoma. Lost in this mix among senior Americans...

ACBVI is honored to be a recipient of the Signarama Signs of Hope grant program. A huge thank you to Chandler for supporting our mission!

Happy Valentine's Day from ACBVI! ❤️ Embrace the beauty of inclusivity this Valentine's Day. Share a moment when someone's kindness made a significant impact on your life or the life of someone with visual impairments. Spread love and compassion!

Earlier this month ACBVI took a group of adults that are blind or visually impaired or living with combined vision and hearing loss for ski and snowboard lessons at Snowbowl in Flagstaff.

I bet you’re thinking…… How did we do this? How does someone that is blind ski?! At ACBVI we encourage our clients to live a life without limits and we are proud to stand beside them while they achieve their goals. Did I mention that this is our 3rd annual trip to Sonwbowl?!

Skiing is hard! Having the determination and spirit to learn as a person that is blind can be overwhelming.

I am proud to report that out of 25 athletes, 23 were skiing by the end of the day.

Adults at ACBVI share that skiing gives them a sense of independence that leads to confidence. Accomplishing a high adventure sport- something that many sighted people can’t or won’t do- leads to conquering other challenges in life. Not to mention, the rush that comes from flying down the hill is indescribable.

It takes a village rings true throughout all of our programs. With your help each athlete shops for and receives a winter coat, socks, and gloves so that they can stay warm and ski (or snowboard) in style. Without you, these life changing trips would not happen.

Please make a gift today so that adults that are blind can continue to participate in these life-changing programs. https://acbvi.link/donate

What an incredible couple of days at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff! As part of our ACBVI Adventures presented by BOK Financial we had a wonderful time with the help of High Country Adaptive Sports. We are proud to report that by the end of both days (1/11-1/12) our clients were having a great time skiing. It was pretty amazing! Having the resiliency to overcome life’s daily challenges is difficult enough if you have sight, but for the blind and visually impaired these challenges can seem insurmountable. ACBVI is proud to is proud to help the blind and visually impaired focus on what they CAN do- not on what they can’t see.

Happy Holidays from ACBVI!

The world is often a cold, hard place, and then something amazing happens and you are reminded about all the good that exists... Every week Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired gets a truckload of donated food from Waste Not to help us feed our food insecure clients. At the exact same time the Waste Not truck arrived the Liquid Environmental Solutions truck pulled up to empty our grease traps. Yesterday was an all-hands day and many of us ended up unloading the truck. At one point I looked up and the Liquid Environmental Solutions driver was part of the caravan carrying boxes of food into our kitchen. Small acts of kindness go a long way, happy to be reminded that you don't have to look far to see the light!!!

Today is Giving Tuesday, a powerful opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those that are blind. 🌟 At ACBVI, we're dedicated to empowering individuals that are blind, helping them regain independence and return to work. Your support can make a world of difference — whether it's a small donation, a share to raise awareness, or volunteering your time. Let's come together and create a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone. Visit https://acbvi.link/donate to give today. 💙

🚨 Diabetes Alert: Protect Your Vision, Save Your Sight! 🚨

Did you know that neglecting diabetes could lead to severe consequences, including vision loss and even blindness? The impact of unmanaged diabetes on your eyes is profound and often irreversible. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, and even total vision loss.

Now for the good news: it's preventable! Regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling blood sugar levels, and adhering to your healthcare provider's advice significantly reduce the risk of eye-related complications.

At ACBVI, we're dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to manage diabetes and protect your vision. Take charge of your health, schedule regular screenings, and prioritize your eyesight. Let's work together to prevent the devastating effects of uncontrolled diabetes on your eyes. 👁️💪❤️

Guide dog guardians - Interpreting their call for assistance.

If a guide dog approaches you alone, it signals that their owner might need assistance. It could mean they're in distress, lost, or need aid. Please don't ignore this vital sign! Gently follow the dog as they might lead you to their owner, who might require help.

By understanding this signal, you can be a hero by offering assistance or alerting someone in charge. Let's raise awareness together and be supportive of individuals with guide dogs. Remember, a guiding paw seeks our attention for a reason. Be attentive and supportive when a guide dog approaches you alone!

In honor of Blindness Awareness Month, we are delighted to share an article titled 'Blindness Changed My Social World and I Changed With it' by Jeffry Ricker, a client here at the center! Here is a bit from the article.

"One of the biggest challenges in becoming blind late in life has been overcoming sighted people's negative assumptions.

Two stereotypes motivate the unneeded help often provided by sighted people: blindness is equated with incompetence and with helplessness, as if people who are blind are children who cannot get by on their own. These negative attitudes underlie biased behavior, of which people can be conscious or unconscious.

In some cases, the bias arises from ignorance and a failure of imagination. People assume that, if they use vision to do something, it is not possible to do it in other ways. For example, late last year, I enrolled in an online course for medical communicators that taught how to format documents for publication. The course consisted of videos that contained some PowerPoint slides. I asked the instructor if the slides were available for download so that I could read them with my screen reader. She answered 'no', and added: 'Blind people can't do this work anyways.' But I knew of several blind and visually impaired medical communicators who were successfully performing similar work. Given negative attitudes such as this instructor's, it should come as no surprise that people who are blind are employed at rates much lower than people with sight."

👉Please click this link to read the full article: https://psyche.co/ideas/im-completely-blind-and-far-more-capable-than-you-might-think

What an incredible day at Bartlett Lake last month with our extraordinary team of clients, volunteers, staff, and friends of ACBVI! We soaked in the beauty of nature and the thrill of adventure as we soared across the water on skis, wakeboards, and tubes - pure adrenaline rush! We even enjoyed fishing, and leisurely boat rides with slides in serene surroundings. Today was more than just fun; it was about smashing limitations, conquering challenges, and forging friendships. A massive shoutout to BOK Financial and Arizona Adaptive Water Sports and everyone else who made this day unforgettable! In tribute to the power of inclusivity and the beauty of new experiences!

Last week was a time of immense pride and celebration at ACBVI as we witnessed our remarkable clients triumphantly graduate. Congratulations to Marshall, Logan, and Guadalupe! Their unwavering dedication and resilience have been nothing short of inspiring. These graduates have overcome extraordinary challenges and have emerged stronger and more determined than ever. We applaud their accomplishments and thank our dedicated team for their unwavering support. The future holds boundless opportunities for these exceptional individuals, and we can't wait to see the positive impact they continue to make.

Usher syndrome Awareness Day

What is Usher syndrome?
Usher syndrome means included deafness or hearing loss, vision loss called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and some balance problems. Having retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affects night-blindness and a loss of peripheral (side) vision through the progressive degeneration of cells in the retina.

There are three types of Usher syndrome. There are type 1, type 2, and type 3.

Type 1 (USHI)
Hearing - Profound Deafness at birth
Vision - Decreased night vision by age 10, progresses to severe vision loss
Balance - Balance problems from birth

Type 2 (USH2)
Hearing - Moderate to severe hearing loss at birth
Vision - Decreased night vision in teens, progresses to severe vision loss
Balance - No balance problems

Type 3 (USH3)
Hearing - Hearing loss in childhood or early teens
Vision - Night vision problems begin in teens and progresses to severe vision loss
Balance - Normal to almost normal balance in childhood, maybe in later problems

Why celebrate Usher syndrome Awareness Day?
In 2015, The Usher Syndrome Coalition, an organization of individuals and families working to build the global USH community and speed the search for a cure, decided that the third Saturday in September should be recognized as world Usher Syndrome Awareness Day.
On August 31, 2023, the State of Arizona made a proclamation to recognize Usher syndrome Awareness day on the third Saturday of September!

Ways to Celebrate Us:
• Support adults that are living with USH by making a donation to ACBVI - https://acbvi.link/donate
• Share on the social media
• Wear something with the color blue on the third Saturday of September
• Check in on vour family member or friend who has USH
• Support the USH community
• Learn more about USH and share awareness
• If you have Usher syndrome, be sure to prioritize self-care and treat yourself with extra care and attention!

At the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired we proudly support staff, clients and the community who have Usher syndrome.

We hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend and could practice some self-care to honor you for working so hard. Remember to embrace the power of balance, such as the dance between hard work and self-care.
We all know that hard work is the foundation of success. It's the sweat, the determination, and the relentless effort that propels us towards our goals and dreams. The late nights, the early mornings, and the countless hours of dedication bring our visions to life.
But here's the thing: hard work alone isn't enough. Burnout is real, and it can sneak up on us when we least expect it.
Just as a car needs fuel to keep running, we need self-care to sustain our hard work. Self-care isn't selfish; it's a vital part of our journey towards success.
**Everyone here at ACBVI, including staff, clients, and volunteers, work hard and realize how essential self-care is, so we participated in self-care activities over the weekend. Some of the things we did last weekend include:
-Played cards with buddies
-Cookout with loved ones
-Hiking with family
-Indoor picnic
-Camping with pals
-Lunch with friends
Now that we have shared all the fantastic self-care stuff we did over the holiday weekend, we want to hear from you! Comment below with what you did over Labor Day weekend!!

🧗‍♂️Last week, we embarked on another amazing rock climbing adventure with our wonderful clients! They rocked the day with the help of High Country Adaptive Sports, conquering challenges, pushing boundaries, and embracing the power of teamwork. Witnessing the indomitable spirit of our climbers overcoming obstacles with unwavering determination was truly inspiring.

❤️ The ACBVI family grows stronger with every adventure, breaking down barriers and spreading the joy of undiscovered adventures to those with visual impairments.

Let's continue to uplift and empower each other as we strive for new heights together!

🌟 Join us in making a difference today! Non-Profit Day! 🌟

At the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we are committed to empowering the Blind and Deaf community to regain their independence. This Non-Profit Day, we reach out to you, to impact countless lives and help us continue our mission.

Imagine a world where no one is left behind, where every individual, regardless of their visual or hearing impairment, can thrive and lead fulfilling lives. With your generous donations, you can help make this a reality.

Every contribution, big or small, helps provide essential resources, education, and specialized services to those who need it most. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive society.

By supporting the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, you profoundly impact countless individuals regaining hope and helping them lead independent lives.

Join us today in celebrating Non-Profit Day by making a donation that will transform lives. Let's pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future together. 👉
http://acbvi.link/donate