Associated Services for the Blind Inc

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2012 to Jun 30, 2013

Signed

Jan 8, 2014

Return Version

2012v2.1

Gross Receipts

$17,206,587

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Production & Custom Braille: ASB's Braille Division provides quality braille and large printed materials for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, in an effort to support independence and self-determination. During the past fiscal year, the division served approximately 20,000 people nationwide by brailling and proof-reading over 70,000 master braille pages and pressing, collating, and bounding over 17,000,000 braille pages. Projects included a total of 100 book titles and 11 magazines under its contract with the National Library Service for the Blind (NLS), 52 student text books for elementary, secondary, and college level students throughout the United States, and over 600 raised line graphics were produced by braille transcribers for insertion into textbooks and tests. The division also brailled 75 student tests under contracts with various testing institutions; and other items such as cookbooks, brochures, newsletters, signs, and health & recreational materials. A total of 700 braille and 2,300 large print statements were produced for banks and utility services. ASB currently has 910 braille books in twenty (20) different categories available from its website Bookstore. ASB makes braille and large print available to everyone. Customers include not only individuals who are blind or visually impaired, but corporations, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, the Library of Congress (NLS), and other governmental agencies.

Activity 3

Specialized Social Services (Grant Program) - ASB's Specialized Services Division served over 450 blind and visually impaired clients during fiscal year 2013. Through its comprehensive curriculum, individuals are provided with the necessary life skills to function independently at home, in the workplace, and in the community. ASB currently provides various levels of Life Skills Education Classes in both English and Spanish, to help participants learn skills designed to compensate for blindness and visual impairments and to allow them to remain independent. Support Groups offered in both English and Spanish include Assertiveness Training, Men's and Women's Low Vision Group, Young Adults Group, Diabetes Information and Support, and Northeast Low Vision Support Group. There were 31 active clients participating in ASB's English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes which address the need of a population that not only is dealing with vision loss, but also has challenges dealing with the non-Spanish speaking world around them. ASB also provides supportive services such as assistance with grocery shopping, reading mail, paying bills, handling correspondence, assisting with completion of applications for benefits, and information and referral. These services provide clients with a safe place to share their challenges, successes and frustrations; and help them to be independent allowing them to become more active in the communities where they live and work.

Filer

EIN

23-1370508