PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2006

Contact:
Nancy D. Miller
VISIONS Executive Director 212-625-1616 ext. 117

VISIONS CELEBRATES 80TH ANNIVERSARY WITH OUTREACH CAMPAIGN SO THOUSANDS OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED NEW YORKERS CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY

VISIONS -- A LIFELINE FOR NEW YORK’S BLIND RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES

VISIONS is launching a public education campaign to reach the city’s 60,000 blind and 363,000 severely visually impaired individuals. Less than two percent of these individuals currently access vision rehabilitation services. With VISIONS free programs and services, thousands of these New Yorkers will be able to live independent and active lives in their homes and communities.

VISIONS is a unique nonprofit organization that promotes the independence of New York City’s most vulnerable residents with vision loss. Many of VISIONS’ clients come from communities of color, are low income and 65 years of age or older, groups at even higher risk for blindness and visual impairment. VISIONS also runs the city’s only specialized after school program for blind and visually impaired teens.

The public education campaign marks VISIONS 80th anniversary and is aimed at potential clients—of all ages, in all five boroughs, their family members and the public. VISIONS has developed a free DVD to help get the word out to thousands of people who will benefit from its services. (To receive the DVD or for information about VISIONS services, the public should call 212-625-1616.)

“The good news is that blind and visually impaired people can live independent, productive lives if they receive vision rehabilitation services and are not isolated,” says Nancy D. Miller, VISIONS executive director. “More New Yorkers need to learn about VISIONS.”

The stories told on the DVD show the extraordinary difference VISIONS makes in the lives of its clients – through VISIONS at Selis Manor, the only community center for people of all ages with vision loss on the East Coast; Vision Rehabilitation, Job Training and Employment Services, and Vacation Camp for the Blind (VCB).

Walk into VISIONS at Selis Manor and you will see blind people participating in yoga, fitness, Karate, Braille classes, ceramics, bowling, photography, support groups, a few of the dozens of programs offered. Marion Sheppard, a retired New York Times employee who recently became legally blind participates in many of these activities. “VISIONS at Selis Manor taught me how to become independent again,” says Sheppard, a Bronx resident. “Thanks to VISIONS, I have a complete, full day.” Annette White, an Upper Manhattan resident who spends four days a week at Selis Manor says: “I was depressed and isolated before I found Selis Manor. I see more now than ever ….. about everything,”

Blind high school students travel to Selis Manor from all the five boroughs for a unique after-school program. In addition to recreational activities, the students get work experience in a snack bar stocking inventory and making change using a talking cash register. “It’s the support and connections the kids make with the staff and with each other that is so important,” says Miller. “These kids are mainstreamed in school and often choose to hide their impairment. This is the only place where they can be themselves.”

With the assistance of Teddy Kern, VISIONS occupational therapist, Emily Schorr, a 21-year-old Hunter College student with MS learned to be independent at home. “If Teddy had not come to show me how to move toward a more independent life, I would be left in the dark and dependent on everybody,” says Schorr, who became blind three years ago. “VISIONS introduced me to new technology. Every time I came to a hurdle, Teddy showed me that there is a way to get around it.”

What makes VISIONS camp unique is that it allows blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages, many with multiple disabilities, to attend with their family members who are not visually impaired. The camp is free to all.

Charlette Merrille attended camp last year with her seven year old son Kevaughn who is legally blind. Kevaughn did not want to play baseball or think he could. “The light hits him like a ball of fire, rushing at him. He can’t see the ball and he doesn’t like people bumping into him,” explains Merrille. With the support of the counselors, Kevaughn got past his reservations. He played baseball and loved it. “I didn’t think I could do it,” he said. “If we weren’t here, we wouldn’t have come as far,” said his mother. “The information you learn here is overwhelming. Kevaughn’s confidence has grown, probably 200%. I’m so proud of him. We’re coming back.”

To receive the DVD or for information about VISIONS services, please call 212-625-1616. or go to VISIONS website at www.visionsvcb.org.

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 501(c) 3 non-profit vision rehabilitation and social service organization. VISIONS’ purpose is to develop and implement programs to assist blind and visually impaired people of all ages to lead independent and active lives and to educate the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind and visually impaired.