St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

“Members of the board and finance committee 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 preparer. 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 vice president 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 and all the information provided to the board members. All information is reviewed by the board members and next year's salary is determined.”

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

“The saint louis society for the blind and visually impaired enhances independence, empowers individuals and enriches the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Caring, qualified staff provide specialized vision rehabilitation, adaptive education, assistive technology and support services.”

“Vision rehabilitation services individualized vision rehabilitation services are provided to those who are visually impaired or blind due to macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, 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 family 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, vision rehabilitation therapists, orientation & mobility specialists, clinical social worker, occupational therapist and other related professionals. As well as individual rehabilitative training,various aids, equipment, devices, technology 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 activities. Services are provided in-home as well as at the society's offices. 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 transportation 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, most devices or other vision rehabilitation aids can be provided to individuals at no charge or through a loan program if there is an inability to pay. During 2019, 97 distinct indviduals were provided transportation assistance via taxi or society driver. The society drove approximately 5,880 miles providing one-way and round-trip transportation and paid for one-way taxi trips.”

“Through a 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, prescriptive eyeglasses, and how to prevent additional vision loss. The majority of those individuals seen are experiencing vision loss due to an age-related eye condition. Adaptive vision aids and equipment are available to help the individual best use remaining vision. These assist individuals in completing daily living tasks including managing and taking medication, reading, and watching television. Over 250 different low vision aids are available and are provided to individuals at no charge if they are unable to afford such devices. An equipment loan program is also available for those unable to afford recommended low vision equipment. 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.”

“Providing speakers, literature, seminars and other public education activities to school and community groups. Additional publications and dissemination of material focuses on human interest stories, vision loss and different eye conditions. Sighted, blind and visually impaired volunteers are recruited to assist individuals in reading mail, shopping or general office assistance.”

“71,450”