St Louis Society for the Blind

“Members of the board of directors and finance committee members receive a draft copy of the return for review via email with a reasonable amount of time to review the tax return and respond with questions/comments to the tax prepareer. No questions/comments assume the return is accurate and ready to be filed.”

“Taxpayer requires and retains annual documentation by officers, directors, trustees and/or key employees.”

“Each board member receives a rating sheet to score the performance of the president. The results are compiled by the chairman of the board of directors and are shared with the board. Also, the board is given three salary surveys to review for purposes of setting the president's compensation based on market considerations. All information is provided to and reviewed by the board members to determine next year's salary.”

“Taxpayer makes publicly available only those documents required under federal tax law.”

“Vision rehabilitation services: individualized vision rehabilitation services are provided to those who are blind or visually impaired due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, traumatic head injury and other medical conditions. Rehabilitative needs addressed include how to best use remaining vision; medication management; daily living skills training; prevention of injuries; emotional and mental health issues (including adjustment and depression); adaptive communication; and caregiver support. Group services address psychological, emotional and social isolation issues affecting an individual's ability to live in a safe, healthy and independent manner. The majority of individuals are referred by their ophthalmologist or other eye care specialist and many are diagnosed with multiple eye conditions. Individuals receive vision rehabilitation services from the society's state or nationally certified and/or licensed low vision therapists, assistive technology specialist, orientation and mobility specialist, social workers, occupational therapists and other related professionals. Individualized training, various aids, equipment, devices, and adaptive techniques are used to assist the individual in adjusting to vision loss or blindness in order to restore or maintain independence in daily living activites. Services are provided at the society's offices as well as in-home. Because most individuals are not able to drive due to their vision loss, the society offices were purposely located along key public transportation routes. In addition, the society provides transportaion assistance to ensure all individuals, regardless of income, have access to individualized vision rehabilitation services. Because most vision rehabilitation services and low vision aids are not covered by insurance or medicare, devices or other vision rehabilitation aids can be provided to individuals at reduced cost if there is an inability to pay.”

“Through the organization's low vision clinic (drews low vision clinic) and low vision services, evaluations are provided by a licensed doctor of optometry and certified low vision therapist or occupational therapist. Functional eye exams address ways to best utilize remaining vision and how to prevent additional vision loss. The majority of individuals seen in the low vision clinic are experiencing vision loss due to an age-related eye condition. Adaptive vision aids and equipment are available to assist individuals in completing daily living tasks including managment of taking medication, reading, and communication. Over 250 different low vision aids are availabe and are provided to individuals at no charge if individuals are unable to afford such devices. In-home follow up by the low vision therapist or occupational therapist provides rehabilitative low vision training and ensures the individual will best use recommended low vision equipment/aids. Transportation assistance is provided to any individual needing help in getting to the drews low vision clinic.”

“Change in value-perpetuity trust 26,158”