BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

03/25/2026

Our Clients Are Back!

With the arrival of Spring, we welcomed back our clients yesterday for our monthly in-person events, where they enjoyed camaraderie, a movie, and lunch! It takes our dedicated staff to make these in-person events possible.

One of the most important benefits of these in-person events is the opportunity for our clients to socialize. Socialization is crucial to the well-being of people who are blind and visually impaired, as it helps reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and isolation. These events provide a safe environment for our clients to connect with others who share similar experiences, foster social connections and empathy, and promote independence.

“It’s good to catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while. A lot of people treasure these in-person events. It’s the only time some of the older folks get out and meet other people.” - John A. BCABVI Client

The movie, Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, was played using accessible Audio Description (AD). AD is a verbal narration of a movie that describes key elements, such as settings, characters, actions, and costumes.

Audio description is widely available on major TV stations, streaming services, smart TVs, set-top boxes, smartphones, cable, and satellite boxes.

Below is a short video of The Lion King with Audio Description (AD).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-XOHN2BWG4

03/24/2026

Thinking of something fun to do this weekend? Bring your family and friends out to the 5th Annual Rotary Easter Egg Hunt!

This is an accessible event and includes beeping eggs for visually impaired and blind people.

Egg hunters of all ages welcome!

03/20/2026

Photos of Erin Kramer at last week's Ben Wilson Senior Center visit!

03/18/2026

It was bingo day at Ben Wilson Senior Activity Center in Warminster last week, and Dr. Erin Kramer, our occupational therapist and certified low-vision therapist, talked to an attentive crowd of 80 people about BCABVI’s services.

As we continue our community outreach efforts, raising awareness of vision loss among our aging population is essential. According to VisionServe Alliance, 6% of Pennsylvanians 65 and older experience vision impairment.

Changes in vision are common as we age. For individuals experiencing significant vision loss, it may be increasingly difficult to read, recognize faces, see in low light, and navigate their environment. Findings from VisionServe Alliance reveal that “people with vision impairment are disadvantaged in multiple ways that place them at greater risk for compromised independence and autonomy.”

Our clients who live with visual impairments and blindness can experience significant improvements in their quality of life through the tailored support services and programs we provide. BCABVI is committed to helping our clients lead rich, vibrant, and independent lives.

For more information about how BCABVI can help you or a loved one, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit our website at www.bucksblind.org.

You can also follow us on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckscountyblind
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Please check out the video of Erin’s visit to Ben Wilson Senior Activity Center. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/r5mIfhI1Qm8

Bucks County Association For The Blind And Visually Impaired (BCABVI) is a non-profit organization in Newtown, PA that provides low vision rehabilitation services, support, and programs for people who are blind and visually impaired throughout Bucks County, PA.

03/13/2026

Mark McCowan & his new guide dog, Denzel, remind you to register today for Bookin' For Lookin'! All proceeds from the race support BCABVI!

03/11/2026

As part of our community outreach efforts, BCABVI’s Executive Director, Anne Marie Hyer, visited the Rotary Club of Newtown last week. BCABVI is committed to continuing to raise awareness about our services and programs, as well as the causes and effects of vision loss.

“The Rotary is a part of our community network that improves the quality of life for people in Bucks County. We work with them to collectively affect positive change.” - Anne Marie Hyer, Executive Director, MPA, MS.

Duane Buck, BCABVI Board Member, attended the meeting. “Anne Marie has been the executive director of BCABVI for the last 18 years and has helped develop programs that educate both the visually impaired and the Bucks County community at large. Some rotary members were not aware of the important role BCABVI provides to the Bucks County community.”

Charles Quattrone, BCABVI Board Member and Chairman, Foundation Committee for the Rotary Club of Newtown, added, “As a BCABVI board member, my goal is to raise visibility and awareness of BCABVI in different parts of the county, and to help raise some money for them.”

The Rotary Club of Newtown is also a dedicated silver sponsor of the Annual Bookin’ For Lookin’ Race For Sight 5K Run & Walk event, which raises funds to support BCABVI's essential services and programs.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Newtown, please visit: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4876.

03/06/2026

Our clients enjoy each other's company while volunteering for our Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop!

If interested in volunteering for our thrift shop or BCABVI, please contact Marcie at 215.968.9400 or mfiliano@bucksblind.org.

03/06/2026

The Feasterville Business Association and the Feasterville Trevose Lions Club are hosting a free, audible easter egg hunt on March 28th for blind & visually impaired children! Please spread the word about this fantastic event!

03/04/2026

Prevent Blindness is raising awareness about the importance of protecting our eyes during March’s Workplace Eye Wellness Month. According to VSP Vision Care, “Employee eye issues are surging for the third straight year, and nearly half of all workers say their job plays a part.”

People who work in an office have a higher risk of digital eye strain from using computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain
Blurred vision
Dry eyes
Headaches
Back, neck, and shoulder pain and stiffness

Tips To Help Prevent Eye Strain
Place computer screen 20-26 inches away from your eyes & a bit below eye level
Adjust the height of your chair
Adjust lighting to lower glare
Use computer glasses that block blue light
Use anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare

People who work in industries have a higher risk of eye injuries.

Common Causes of Workplace Eye Injuries
Particles
Chemicals and/or other hazards
Tools
Flying objects (glass, metal)

Safety Eyewear Based On Work Environment
Googles
Face shields
Welding helmets
Respirators
Nonprescription and/or prescription safety glasses

To learn more about workplace eye wellness, please visit Prevent Blindness at: https://preventblindness.org/workplace-eye-wellness-month-2026

02/25/2026

Having good eyesight makes all the difference for a child. Just ask Cael.

Cael is a preschool student in Bucks County. When BCABVI’s preschool vision screener, Lauren Young, attended Cael’s local school, he had no idea it would change his life.

The Welch Allyn SPOT Vision Screener found astigmatism in Cael’s right eye and anisometropia, where vision in one eye is worse than the other eye due to a refractive error, making it hard to see clearly. Cael’s left eye was compensating for what he could see out of his right eye.

When she received the note from the school that recommended follow-up, Cael’s mother Kym was thankful: “I truly had no idea that my son had vision issues. My son didn’t complain about not being able to see.” After visiting the eye doctor, Cael loves wearing his new glasses. “I can see now!” Cael says as soon as he puts them on.

Vision plays a vital role in children’s physical, cognitive, and social development. BCABVI uses the Welch Allyn SPOT Vision Screener, a handheld device that quickly and accurately detects vision issues in children aged 2 to 6 years old. It can detect amblyopia (lazy eye), myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and more.

“I’m very grateful that Cael’s eye issues were caught when they were. We normally would have had to wait two more years to get his vision checked in kindergarten. We are so thankful for your association (BCABVI).”

Supporting and advocating for children with visual impairments and their families continues to be a focus for us in 2026. We have partnered and work collaboratively with school districts, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), United Way, and other organizations to help provide resources for families in Bucks County. As part of our efforts, we are updating our Family Resource Guide to help empower parents to be effective advocates for their children.

For more information about our preschool vision screening program, please call 215.968.9400 or visit our website at www.bucksblind.org.

02/23/2026