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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

We provide essential services & programs to blind & visually impaired individuals in Bucks County, PA

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.

02/20/2026

We're hiring a part-time Case Aide!

Do you like helping people and making a positive impact in your community?

We're looking for a part-time case aide to assist clients in their homes with reading mail, paying bills, and preparing grocery lists.

This position is 15-20 hours per week with a flexible schedule.

Please contact Anne Marie Hyer at 215-968-9400 for more information.

02/18/2026

Registration for Bookin’ For Lookin’ 2026 is now open!

Mark McCowan, BCABVI Board Member, is an inspiring person. He combined his love of running in half-marathons with his desire to help others who were also experiencing vision loss, founding the Bookin’ For Lookin’ Foundation in 2013. Since then, he’s raised over $125,500 to support blind and visually impaired people.

“Bookin’ For Lookin’ is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. I’m glad I’m able to support BCABVI’s mission of helping visually impaired and blind people in the Bucks County area.” - Mark McCowan.

Meetup for the 14th Annual Bookin’ For Lookin’ Race For Sight 5K Run & Walk is 8:30 am on Sunday, April 26th at Council Rock North High School. The 5K loops through scenic Tyler State Park. It’s the third of seven races in the Bucks 5K Series, now celebrating its 30th year. New for this year is a Starbucks coffee bar and free raffle ticket for a chance to win gift cards and merchandise. The event includes snacks, bagels, and a photo area as well as finisher medals and awards for top finishers in each age category.

All proceeds from the race will benefit BCABVI. We appreciate the continued support of Mark McCowan and his foundation for this meaningful event.

To register for the event, please visit: https://runtheday.com/register/detail/bookin-for-lookin-5k-10k/?source=upcomingraces

To learn more about Bookin’ For Lookin’, including sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://www.bookinforlookin.com/

Please check out Mark’s video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h2L66ZvEr9M

Whether a runner or a walker, please come out to help Mark fight blindness one stride at a time.

02/16/2026

BCABVI will be closed today, Monday, February 16th, in honor of Presidents' Day.

As our country celebrates its 250th Anniversary this year, we wish you, your families & friends our warmest wishes.

02/11/2026

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) month.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness for people 60 and older and affects approximately 20 million Americans.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “AMD affects the central vision, and with it, the ability to see fine details. In AMD, a part of the retina called the macula is damaged. In advanced stages, people lose their ability to drive, to see faces, and to read smaller print. In its early stages, AMD may have no signs or symptoms, so people may not suspect they have it.”

At BCABVI, we are knowledgeable about AMD and other progressive eye diseases. Our low vision services help our clients maximize their remaining vision through a combination of the following:

Conducting a vision assessment at our Low Vision Clinic to determine the level and nature of vision loss

Developing personalized plans to help clients overcome daily challenges

Recommending and providing training on low vision skills, aids & devices, including assistive technology such as magnifiers, screen reading software, text-to-speech, smartphone apps, and more

Visiting clients to help modify their home environment through training, lighting, kitchen modifications, in-home support, and more

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with AMD, please call us at 215.968.9400 to learn more about how we can help.

To learn more about AMD, please watch this short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia6JZRgyDuk

02/10/2026

Andrea Bocelli blew everyone away at Friday's opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics with his moving rendition of Nessun Dorma from the Italian opera Turandot.

Andrea, born with glaucoma, became blind in childhood. He's an inspiring story of what is possible.

You can view his performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twcHkYmSymw

NBC did an article about him which you can read here:
https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/andrea-bocelli-on-being-blind-since-he-was-a-child

02/04/2026

Prevent Blindness is encouraging people to share personal stories about the positive impact eye exams and treatment have had on their lives with their “It Started With An Eye Exam” campaign.

An eye exam is often the starting point for our clients on their journey with vision loss.

Clients are eligible for our services when:

An eye exam reveals they have a visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in their better-seeing eye that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. A person with visual acuity of 20/70 can see at 20 feet what someone with normal sight can see at 70 feet.

Their visual field is 20 degrees or less in their better-seeing eye. Visual field means the area a person can see without moving their eyes from side to side. Individuals who have this limited visual field experience tunnel vision due to a significant loss of peripheral vision.

To learn more information about Prevent Blindness’ “It Started With An Eye Exam”, please visit: https://preventblindness.org/it-started-with-eye-exam-2026.

To share your story about an impactful eye exam, please click on the following link:
https://tallulah.ai/form/f11d7394-445a-4acd-a696-15841ab82a3c.

01/30/2026

Our Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop client volunteers enjoy hanging out together!

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

01/28/2026

BCABVI Featured in Newtown City Lifestyle!

BCABVI was recently approached by Julie Brown Patton, Editor of Newtown City Lifestyle Newtown City Lifestyle, who was looking to feature our organization in their February edition.

Her article titled “80 Years of Support” outlines our essential services and programs. BCABVI Executive Director Anne Marie Hyer, MPA, MS, Board President Rande Whitham, and our Client Navigator Judy Frank spoke with Julie for the article:

“Imagine experiencing vision loss, and you don’t know where to turn. Our team understands that experiencing vision loss can be overwhelming. With the community working together, we can change lives.” Anne Marie Hyer stated. “In partnership with our clients, we identify the right combination of services, vision evaluations, assistive technology, education, resources and support needed for personal success,” Anne Marie remarked.

Rande Whitham mentioned to Julie our public awareness and educational services: “We offer presentations that explain causes, symptoms, and impacts of eye diseases, implications and prevention of vision loss, and teach best practices to support people with visual impairments.” - Rande Whitham

In the article, Judy Frank emphasized the importance of listening to our clients. “People come to us in various emotional states, all acknowledging varying degrees of independence loss…People often just need to be heard to lower their anxiety or sadness. This helps them to feel hopeful. With hope, they’re more inclined to genuinely want and participate in their rehabilitation and discover new ways to live a rich life.” - Judy Frank

For more information about BCABVI’s essential services and programs for you or a loved one, please visit our website at https://www.bucksblind.org or call us at 215.968.9400.

To read Julie Brown Patton’s article, please visit: https://citylifestyle.com/newtown/issues/2026-02. Newtown City Lifestyle magazine serves the Newtown, New Hope, Upper Makefield, Washington Crossing, and Wrightstown areas.

01/26/2026

Our office will be closed today due to inclement weather.

01/21/2026

Our Clients Are Event Planners!

January kicked off the first meeting of the year for our Client Event Planning Committee. The committee consists of a group of 10 BCABVI clients, led by Deb B., who meet virtually to plan upcoming monthly client events, ensuring these activities are fun and engaging.

At the meeting, the committee outlined this year's activities, which include bingo, a tote bag workshop, sports day, trivia, and much more. Additionally, the committee planned the menus for lunches that will be served at the events.

Marcie, our Vision Services Facilitator, is the liaison for the group, facilitating and coordinating the events with our clients.

“Clients need a voice in what they are participating in. It’s important that the activities we offer are what the clients want to do and are interested in. These 10 individuals have a finger on the pulse of everyone who is a part of our services. They give suggestions, everyone is heard, and they are accommodating.” - Marcie Filiano

Our client committee members shared their thoughts on the importance of these events:

These activities are a helpful way to meet up with friends and people you haven’t met before. - Deb B.
It’s a great first-time experience for people, talking to others, and having a good time. - Lottie W.
These activities break the ice for new clients. - Joe S.
Sometimes this is the only time people get out. - Dolly C.

Many thanks to our clients for helping to make our in-person events a success.

01/16/2026

Our Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop client volunteers are having a good time while helping the shop!

01/14/2026

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, and 2026 brings new hope in the treatment of glaucoma!

The Mayo Clinic defines Glaucoma as an eye condition that damages the optic nerve.” It is the leading cause of blindness for people 60 and older.

Symptoms of Glaucoma (Vary Depending On Type & Stage) Include:
Patchy blind spots in peripheral vision
Halos around lights
Blurred vision
In later stages, difficulty seeing things in central vision

There are significant emerging treatment options for glaucoma in 2026. Per Dr. Joel S. Schuman, M, FACS, vice chair for research innovation and co-director of the glaucoma services at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, treatments on the horizon for glaucoma include*:

Automated detection of glaucoma progression using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This noninvasive imaging works like an ultrasound but uses light instead.

Home/remote monitoring of intraocular (eye) pressure, including home tonometry, virtual reality, or home visual field, and early handheld kiosk-type OCT.

Sustained release or controlled release drug delivery.

New selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) device. SLT is a quick, non-invasive laser procedure that drains fluid out of the eye and lowers the pressure of the disease.

Tips For Gluacoma Prevention
Get regular eye exams - early treatment can slow down and/or stop glaucoma’s progression
Keep blood pressure & blood sugar levels under control
Exercise
Quit smoking - smoking increases the risk of eye disease, including glaucoma

For more information about these exciting emerging technologies for glaucoma treatment, visit: https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/innovations-in-glaucoma-poised-for-breakthrough-in-2026-and-what-might-hold-the-back-

*Source: Ophthalmology Times

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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