Guest Author - Carla Ruschival
The Association of Blind Citizens is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for blind and visually impaired children and adults through education, employment, cultural, recreational and other life activities.
The Association helps to fund the purchase of assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired. Grants to individuals cover 50 per cent of the cost of screen readers, braille displays, money identifiers, large print magnification systems etc.
ABC also funds scholarships for blind and visually impaired college students. Entering freshmen, undergraduates, and graduate students are eligible to apply; funds may be spent on any school-related expense.
The Association assists with the publication of braille literature for blind children, and every year ABC helps many children to attend summer camp and enjoy activities often only reserved for others.
The Association arranges periodic day trips to points of interest throughout New England. The trips emphasize hands-on learning opportunities; they also may include audio described plays and video events.
ABC sponsors the Boston Renagades, New England's beep baseball team. Beep baseball is a modified form of America's favorite pastime that can be played by blind people. Funding from the Association has allowed the Renegades to participate annually in the World Series of Beep Baseball, usually held in Ohio around the first of August.
Visit the Association's website for details regarding its programs and services, as well as copies of its semi-annual newsletter containing news items, stories from readers, recipes and much more. Register at the website and receive the newsletter via e-mail direct to your home computer.
A news and events telephone line (781-654-2000) contains updates about ongoing activities as well as those being planned for the future.
Finally, In Focus is a monthly radio show available live on the web on the second Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. EST. It is also archived on the Association's website. Topics have included where to purchase adaptive products for the blind, accessible gaming and travel, and much more.
The Association of Blind Citizens receives funding through public and private donations and grants.
To find out more about services available through the Association of Blind Citizens, visit
Or contact the organization at 781-961-1023.
