BLIND SERVICE ASSOCIATION INC
17 NORTH STATE STREET NO 1050, CHICAGO, IL 60602 www.blindserviceassociation.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND AND OTHERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT ACCESS TO READING OF PRINTED MATERIAL. BSA FURTHER PROVIDES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND AND OTHERS WITH VISION LOSS MANAGE THEIR LIVES INDEPENDENTLY AND WITH DIGNITY

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES VARIOUS SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE TO THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN THE CHICAGO AREA. IT PROVIDES READING AND RECORDING SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO ITS CLIENTS, IN ADDITION TO A NUMBER OF OTHER SUCCESSFUL AND POPULAR EDUCATION, RECREATIONAL, AND SUPPORT GROUPS

READING AND RECORDING: THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE READING AND RECORDING OF MATERIAL SO THAT BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, MAINTAIN JOBS, AND REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES. OVER 250 BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE USE THE SERVICE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND HELPED BY 196 VOLUNTEERS.

PATHWAYS (YOUTH PROGRAM): THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE DAILY LIVING SKILL INSTRUCTION, RECREATION, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, MENTORING, AND COMPUTER TRAINING TO APPROXIMATELY 80 STUDENTS. OF THOSE STUDENTS, APPROXIMATELY 18 PARTICIPATED IN BSA'S SUMMER PROGRAM, WHICH RUNS FOR FIVE HOURS A DAY FOR FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR SIX WEEKS. THE PURPOSE OF PATHWAYS IS TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AS THESE YOUNG PEOPLE REACH ADULTHOOD. THEY ARE TAUGHT DAILY LIVING SKILLS, PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL AND PERFORMING ART ACTIVITIES AND LEARN CANE TRAVEL AS THEY VISIT VARIOUS CULTURAL SITES IN THE CITY. WE ALSO PROVIDE GLASSES AND VISION AIDS TO THOSE IN NEED AND GRANT $30,000 YEARLY IN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO LEGALLY BLIND COLLEGE, GRADUATE AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS.

SUPPORT SERVICES: THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, RECREATION, AND SUPPORT TO OVER 500 BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS. THERE ARE FOUR SEPARATE SUPPORT GROUPS THAT INDIVIDUALS ATTEND ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE PURPOSE IS TO OFFER SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ADJUST TO THEIR EYE CONDITION. EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS ARE HELD ONE TO TWO TIMES PER MONTH IN ORDER TO OFFER INFORMATION TO HELP BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE BETTER ADAPT TO THEIR CONDITION. IN ADDITION WE SUPPORT OUR CLIENTS WITH VARIOUS CLUBS THAT HELP THEM TO REMAIN ACTIVE. WE ALSO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE BRAILLE LESSONS AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT.

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