ACBVI's MISSION:
to facilitate independence and promote full participation in all spheres of life for those who experience vision loss.

• There are over 212,000 blind or visually impaired people in Arizona.
• Most ACBVI clients are adults who have had normal vision and now, due to age, illness or injury, are experiencing vision loss.
• Over 50% of these individuals are on fixed incomes or at or below poverty level.
• Within this population, over 50% are elderly, 40% are middle-aged and increasing numbers of young adults, many with children, are losing vision, primarily due to Diabetes.

As ACBVI faces the challenges of the present and the future, we look forward to your support and encourage you to join us in the transformational experience of helping to change lives.

Your gift to the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired can help newly blind and visually impaired individuals receive the training and support they need to take back their lives.

And now your gift can actually save you money! When you apply all or part of your gift to the Charitable Organization Tax Credit, you can receive dollar for dollar tax credit on your state return AND take a deduction on your federal return. Up to $200 of your gift may be applied if you are single/head of household and $400 of your gift may be applied if you are married and filing jointly. We encourage you to consult with your accountant for details.

Testimonials

Rich, client family member: When Mom found out she was losing her vision, she went into a deep depression. We were so worried, we had family members stay with her aound the clock, while we searched for help. Then we found the Center. At ACBVI, Mom learned lots of new and easy ways to do things, but most important, she learned to travel on her own. For many years she took the bus to the Center where she volunteered, made ceramics and enjoyed so many friends.

Allen, previous client: When I lost my vision, I lost my career and my self confidence. Then a friend introduced me to the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Everyone at the Center was totally supportive and committed to my success. I gained new skills and regained my confidence. Today I am fully employed in a new and rewarding career.

Steve Welker, previous client, current Chairman of the Board for ACBVI and motivational speaker: Fifteen years ago, I was a young man on the fast track to success when an oncoming car jumped the median and hit me head on. I suffered stroke of the optic nerve, leaving me totally blind. Two weeks later, my twin sons were born. I knew I had to be the best dad for them, but I didn't know how I would do it. At the Arizona Center for the Blind, I learned new ways to do daily tasks and how to travel with a cane, but most of all I learned new, assistive technology that allowed me to go back to work. I was able to resume my career and provide for my family. I decided that I wanted to give back to the Center and have been a board member and spokesperson for ACBVI for over a decade. Today I am a proud husband and father and have a new career teaching professionals resiliency skills, much of which I gained from the training and support I received from the staff at ACBVI.