I got involved with the American Council for the Blind of Colorado (ACBCO) because I met and interacted with several of their volunteers. I found them to be passionate about their organization and cause, and very client-centered. They are true advocates for their members, always seeking ways to improve their lives through efforts at providing equipment to make communication and mobility easier; to educating members on new technology or outreach programs that enhance quality of life; to encouraging legislation that removes barriers for blind and visually impaired children and adults. This organization does more with their limited resources than any other non-profit I know.
I investigated their governance, i.e., their policies and procedures, and found them to be exemplary.
I encourage your support of this very worthwhile organization.
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Blind & Visually Impaired Centers, Disabilities, Eye Diseases, Blindness & Vision Impairments, Health, Human Services
Mission: Promote welfare of the blind and visually impaired and assist the blind and visually impaired become active and productive members of the community through a variety of programs and services that specifically address individual needs as well as the blind community as a whole.
Programs: Sight for seniors acbco's sight for seniors program promotes the independence of b/vi seniors by assisting those who must adjust and adapt to vision loss to remain safe and healthy within their own homes by teaching seniors how to use alternative techniques/adaptive devices to help compensate for vision impairment. The program can help make the very best use of remaining vision which will help seniors avoid premature long-term care placement. Acbco hosts senior low vision support groups in the denver metro and boulder county areas to help in these efforts. Partnerships have been developed with over 100 other organizations and medical professionals to help expand the program and fully provide for our clients. The program also includes "sighted allies" and "phone friends" who are volunteers that provide additional support to our clients.
outreach includes the following program/service areas: -the vision link program is based on the sight for seniors program but tailored to those under age 55. The program does provide all the services and amenities of the sight for seniors program. -visually impaired people's fair - "vip" fairs are held in the denver metro area and in other communities throughout the state. Vip fairs provide resources and educational workshops which assist people who are b/vi in continuing to live as independently as possible. The fair includes speakers from social services, independent living centers and other experts who educate people about the types of services available as well as health workshops about eye disease, maintaining good health practices and self-care for those with eye disease. The resource fair also features a wide variety of booths where participants can obtain information on adaptive aids, technology, activities, educational and community resources. Panel discussions featuring those who have lost their vision and how they continued to live successful, productive lives are also offered. -resource services - addressing the urgent or continuing needs of the b/vi is vital to their independence. Acbco provides a hotline for information, resources and referrals, and peer counseling. An emergency needs program (enp) to provide support for those we serve. The enp provides support, resources and/or funding for situations which could cause an individual to be in danger of being without such necessities as food, shelter, or utilities, or for situations in which an individual is in an unsafe situation which requires intervention. -educational opportunities - we offer educational presentations regarding eye disease and maintaining good eye health, adaptive aids and equipment, safety issues, resources available, and information for sighted family and friends our quarterly newsletter "sixth sense" provides in-depth information on issues, available services, and anything relevant to the population we serve. The ambassador program offers blind/visually impaired individuals who will help business owners one-on-one throughout the state better understand the needs of the blind/visually impaired who patronize their businesses. This is a friendly way to help the sighted learn how to be a "guide" for an blind/visually impaired individual attempting to make a purchase, order a meal, enjoy an evening of entertainment, secure a service, etc.
advocacy community presentations, workshops and seminars provide venues for acbco to raise awareness about the issues facing people who are b/vi. We advocate for the individuals who have specified needs in the community and need assistance in securing services as well as on a variety of concerns and issues that will provide for more accessible communities, reduce oppression and discrimination, and foster independence and freedom. Our constituents also receive legislative information about current issues on the state and federal levels. Additionally, we host "in the dark" events, participate in community events such as local marathons and the people's fair, to build awareness within the general public and bridge the gap created by myths of b/vi issues.
Donor & Volunteer Advisory
This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.