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VISIONS helps employers build more inclusive teams, by connecting them to untapped talent.

VISIONS Department of Workforce Development offers programs and services designed to help job seekers with visual impairments enter or re-enter the workforce, and provides information and resources to help employer partners understand the benefits of hiring individuals with visual impairments.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, our services are provided at no cost to participants.

You Can Help...

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    Unlock possibilities and opportunities for our young adult jobseekers

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    Decrease the unemployment rate for people with visual impairments

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    Contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workforce

Why Support VISIONS

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    Our services are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to government & foundation grants, and private donations

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    88¢ of every dollar is spent on programs, with only 12¢ spent on administration and fundraising

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    We offer services in 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese dialects, Russian, and American Sign Language (ASL)

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    VISIONS Workforce Program remains #1 in New York State, in helping blind/visually impaired people to get jobs, 9 years running!

You may also mail your check to:

VISIONS/Services for the Blind
500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10013

Workforce Programs Include:

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Job Training and Placement Programs

Job Training and Placement services include Work Readiness Training, focusing on skills including resume writing, interview preparation, and workplace communication; and Work Experience Training (WET), providing participants with paid internships to gain real-world experience in a supportive setting.

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Assistive Technology Instruction

Assistive Technology Instruction helps ensure jobseekers have the tools and knowledge to thrive in a digital workplace. This instruction includes hands-on training on software tools like screen readers, screen magnifiers, and accessibility features built into modern smartphones and tablets.

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Career Exploration Programs

Career Exploration programs help job seekers identify fields that match their skills, interests, and goals. From career inventories, to one-on-one counseling, participants gain insights into job possibilities or new career pathways. This early guidance helps lay a strong foundation for future employment success.

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Successful job seekers have secured jobs in fields including (but not limited to): logistics, food service, customer service, web design, maintenance, social work, and office administration.

In addition, through new grants and partnerships, Workforce staff have now begun assisting participants with applying for certifications for advanced software tools including Salesforce, an industry-leading software that helps businesses organize and manage customer data to improve interactions, sales, and overall customer relationships. This cutting-edge training is designed to open up new employment possibilities for our participants.

Other Ways to Donate

Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are private funds that encompass contributions of cash, and non-cash assets like stocks, mutual funds shares, bonds, and private stock. DAFs allow donors to suggest the placement and distribution of charitable gifts, while taking advantage of tax benefits (up to 60% of adjusted gross income).

Gifts of Appreciated Stock

Gifts of Appreciated Stock may include stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares. Benefits include an immediate charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock (as long as you have held them for more than a year), and avoidance of capital gains taxes that would normally be due upon sale.

Qualified IRA Charitable Distributions

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are tax-free transfers from your IRA (other than an ongoing SEP or SIMPLE IRA) made directly to qualified charities, like VISIONS. These donations can satisfy all or part of your IRA’s required minimum distribution, while not counting against your taxable income once deposited. You can donate up to $105,000 each year as of 2024.

Include VISIONS in Your Will

To name VISIONS in your will, or make a testamentary gift, share the following information with your lawyer:

  • Legal Name: VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Tax ID: 13-1624210
  • Address: 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor
    New York, NY 10013

If you have questions or would like more information on making a donation, please e-mail Natalia S. Young, Chief Operating Officer (COO), at nsyoung@visionsvcb.org

Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Other Ways to Support VISIONS

Join an Advisory Board

Grouped by borough, members of VISIONS Advisory Boards help promote the issues important VISIONS, represent us at community events, assist in raising funds to support our services, and help solicit contributors for our fundraising events.

Learn More

Volunteer With Us

Volunteers may assist participants with reading mail, and other types of written materials, escorting them in the community for shopping and appointments, and helping in a variety of programs (i.e. Arts & crafts, knitting, ceramics, and technology training).

Learn More

Partner Your Organization With VISIONS

By partnering with us, your organization can make a real difference in the lives of individuals in our community while enhancing your commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

Learn More