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BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

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BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Local non-profit agency in Newtown, PA that provides opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Our Vision is rich, vibrant and independent lives for the blind or visually impaired. Our Mission is to provide resources, answers and support for people with blindness or other visual impairment that maximize their ability to meet life’s daily challenges and realize their continued self-worth and value to our community.

12/02/2025

Today, as people around the world participate in Giving Tuesday, we wanted to share that our BCABVI’s 2025 Impact Report is being mailed later this week and should arrive in your mailboxes soon!

We are celebrating our 80th Anniversary this year, and our 2025 Anniversary Edition Impact Report, “80 Years Of Impact,” highlights our organization’s evolution through the years. To view our 2025 Anniversary Edition Impact Report online, please visit:https://www.bucksblind.org/_files/ugd/e3e24d_9ce989576a884e09bedb9e60b3643f25.pdf

Our mission has evolved, but providing essential training, services, programs, and resources for our clients has always been at the center of everything we do. And, we cannot do this important work without you.

There is still time to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients this year by making a tax-deductible donation (by December 31st) using our online giving form. Click here. https://funraise.org/give/BUCKS-COUNTY-ASSOCIATION-FOR-THE-BLIND-AND-VISUALLY-IMPAIRED/7d87bda2-9c74-49ab-9a85-57171515c5ba/

Please check out the following video from Anne Marie Hyer, Executive Director, and Rande Whitham, President of BCABVI's Board of Directors: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8n4uf3BUzRc

*BCABVI is an independent nonprofit organization that receives less than 12% of its funding from any local, state, or governmental funding source. We rely on donors like you to help us fulfill our mission and create change for our clients.

11/28/2025

From everyone at BCABVI, we wish you, your family, and friends a Happy Thanksgiving!

We'll be closed Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th. We'll reopen our office on Monday, December 1st.

11/26/2025

At BCABVI, we have a dedicated staff who help our clients overcome daily challenges. Every one of you - our staff, volunteers, Board members, donors, partners, and our community plays an important role in helping our organization and our clients thrive. We cannot do this work without your individual contributions.

We are also thankful for our clients who inspire us every day.

This year, the Patch and T-Mobile have partnered again to spotlight “thankful moments” from residents throughout Bucks County. Our client Marie is thankful for us!

“I thought my life was worthless due to my vision loss, but this year turned out to be much better than when it began.” Marie, BCABVI Client

At BCABVI, we help our clients lead their fullest lives as they navigate their journey with vision loss. With essential services including specialized low vision eye exams and training, support, and resources, we assist our clients in adjusting to their vision loss.

“They (BCABVI) gave me back my life when vision issues tried to take it away.” Marie, BCABVI Client

To read Marie’s Patch article, please click here: https://patch.com/pennsylvania/bensalem/bensalem-resident-thanks-bucks-county-blind-center-life-changing-support

Marie is just one of the many clients we’ve assisted during our 80 years as an organization. Stay tuned next week to learn more about our 80th Anniversary Special Edition Impact Report: “80 Years of Impact.”

Thank you for supporting our work. We wish you and your loved ones a Thanksgiving filled with good health, peace, and love.

11/25/2025

We had a wonderful in-person event with our clients today!

Highlights included showing our clients our 80th Anniversary Documentary Video, Marcie's amazing trivia, and a Southern-style luncheon.

The event was a great opportunity for our clients to learn, connect, develop friendships, and share camaraderie.

Thanks to all our staff who helped make the day possible!

To view our 80th Anniversary Documentary video, please visit YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj45kPgajM4.

To learn more about our in-person programs, please contact Marcie at 215.968.9400.

11/19/2025

Anne Marie, Erin, & Lauren Visit PBA’s Fall Conference!

Last week, Anne Marie Hyer (Executive Director of BCABVI), Erin Kramer (OT/Certified Low Vision Therapist), and Lauren Young (Preschool Vision Screener) attended the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (PAB) Fall Conference. Representatives from 25 PAB chapters across Pennsylvania came together to network, educate, and learn about available resources to better serve the blind and visually impaired community in Pennsylvania.

Being a part of the PAB allows us to have a greater voice in making a difference in the lives of our clients. Our organization represents blind and visually impaired people of Bucks County, and as part of the PAB, we’re connected to a larger network.

At the conference:

Anne Marie advocated for our clients and networked with Dan Zalewski (Executive Director for the PAB) and the Government Relations Committee to ensure continued funding for our essential in-home and preschool vision screening services.

Lauren attended a presentation by Dr. David A. Wagner, OD., which focused on pediatric vision development and the connection between vision and learning. The PAB introduced a new Vision Screener Certification program along with other educational resources and training for our vision screeners.

Erin participated in sessions with Wendy Davis (Marketing & Outreach Director for the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation), who shared how people with disabilities can live safely and more independently at home using internet-connected devices to control lights, thermostats, appliances, and other devices remotely.

For more information about our in-home and preschool vision screening services, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit our website at bucksblind.org.

To learn more about the PAB, please visit their website at pablind.org.

11/12/2025

November Is Diabetic Eye Disease Month.

Per UNC’s School of Medicine, “Approximately one-third of Americans with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, or gestational) can develop diabetic retinopathy, a progression of the disease caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina).”

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness for working-age adults. Approximately 9.6 million Americans have DR.

Symptoms of DR include:
Changes in vision
Blurry vision
Vision loss
Eye floaters
Blind spots
Night and/or color blindness

Recommendations To Help Prevent Diabetes-related Eye Disease Include:
Getting an annual eye exam
Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, & sugar levels in a healthy range
Quit smoking
Eat a healthy diet
Get more exercise

Even if we don’t experience symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy, it’s important for us to have regular eye examinations to detect and manage DR.

For more information about Diabetic Retinopathy, please visit:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611

Check out the video below on DR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxMOsMDM1UM

11/05/2025

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dine with vision loss?

Every year, as part of our community outreach, BCABVI hosts our free annual Experience Vision Loss event to give our clients’ families and friends a glimpse of what it’s like to dine with vision loss. It’s an evening full of helpful tips, techniques, and demonstrations to make everyday tasks like eating more manageable.

Emily Vasile, Certified Low Vision Therapist, facilitated the event, providing guidance on how to do everything from setting the table with contrasting colors, filling a glass with liquid, finding the place setting, cutting food, and more. Emily, who has too many professional low vision titles than we can feasibly list here, experiences vision loss and knows what it’s like to struggle with daily tasks.

“We thought we knew what my wife was going through with her vision loss, but you showed how strong she has been in her fight for a normal life. Thanks again.” - Jim, Husband of Nancy, Client

While guests donned disposable glasses simulating their loved one’s eye conditions, our Delta Gamma volunteers helped them use the liquid line indicator to pour their drinks into a cup, and Dr. Erin Kramer demonstrated magnifiers that help read menus.

“My wife and I were witnesses to the hope, commitment, and camaraderie shared by all in attendance at this special event.” Rande Whitham, BCABVI Board President

50 people attended last Wednesday’s Experience Vision Loss event. We would like to thank our clients and their guests, our staff, volunteers, Board members, and our sponsor, The First Bank & Trust Company of Newtown, for helping to make this event a success.

If you would like to learn more about the Experience Vision Loss event, please contact Kim Burton, BCABVI’s Communications Coordinator. For products to help with daily tasks such as those mentioned above, contact us at 215.968.9400.

Check out the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KvJTF6g_35s

11/04/2025

We had a lot of fun last week at our Halloween-themed bingo and pizza day. Clients and staff dressed in costumes, and our staff really upped their game with our annual pumpkin decorating contest. We're sure you'll agree that the decorated pumpkins look professional!

10/22/2025

As we celebrate our 80th year, it’s rewarding to be recognized for our service and accomplishments. Recently, we received a citation from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

“It is my pleasure to recognize the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 80th Anniversary…It is with great understanding, leadership, and passion that this organization continues to make a positive impact on our Commonwealth. I am confident that this milestone, recognizing the laudable work of this organization, will inspire others for many years to come.” - Governor Josh Shaprio, October 10th, 2025.

We thank Governor Shapiro for this meaningful recognition.

80 years represents our enduring commitment and longevity as an organization. As you’ll see from our upcoming Impact Report, our organization has expanded and evolved over the years. Despite changing times, our guiding principles have remained unchanged: to serve, support, and raise awareness for our blind and visually impaired community in Bucks County, PA.

To learn more about our services and programs, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit us at www.bucksblind.org.

10/15/2025

White Cane Day - Then & Now!

In September 1962, Doylestown Mayor Charles Eldon Clemens, proclaimed October 15th as White Cane Day. He was joined by Doylestown Lions Club President, William J. Graham, and L. Lloyd Trauger, Sight and Conservation Committee Chairman, who advocated for this day to raise money for blind people, including our clients.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially declared October 15th as White Cane Day to promote awareness for blind and visually impaired people who use a white cane for mobility.

That same year, an article titled “Drivers Alerted to Use of White Cane By Blind” was published in The Intelligencer. A spokesperson for the Bucks County Association For The Blind noted in the article, “The white cane has been adopted by statutes in all of our 50 states as the official signaling device to put drivers on notice of a pedestrian’s blindness.” This White Cane Law states, “A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominately white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way.”

Knowing its importance for maintaining independence, we have provided white cane training for our blind and visually impaired clients since we opened our doors in the 1940s. We often begin training with clients who have progressive eye diseases before they become fully blind, familiarizing them with how to use the white cane and navigate their surroundings.

For more information about our white cane training program, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit www.bucksblind.org.

10/14/2025

Yesterday, 13 graduates of our 8-week Navigating Life With Vision Loss (NLVL) program came together to celebrate and connect with each other. Our clients find this course profoundly impactful, sharing day-to-day struggles with each other in a safe space. Todd Schoeller, is not only a life coach and facilitator of the course, but being blind, he's a mentor who understands what our visually impaired clients are going through. Thanks to our clients, our caseworker Marcie Filiano, and Todd Schoeller for making this program such a success.

Address

400 Freedom Drive
Newtown, PA
18940

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Website

http://www.bucksblind.org/

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