San Diego Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Vision Rehabilitation Services That Rebuild Independence
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Vision loss, including total blindness to changing vision, is often an overwhelming personal catastrophe. When you consider that in our society close to 80% of the information we receive is through sight, the impact of blindness becomes more critical. With the loss of sight other losses follow, such as loss of occupation, education, mobility (driving and traveling safely and efficiently), and self-esteem. These losses have profound consequences not only for the vision impaired person, but for the family and society as well.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Vision Rehabilitation
Sight is a unique phenomenon; therefore, the approaches to coping with its loss are also unique. The core vision rehabilitation program offered at no charge to clients provides classes in safety, kitchen, independent living, sensory awareness, adjustment counseling and resource information for the blind and vision impaired. Additional training is offered in orientation and mobility, keyboarding skills and Braille, and the use of specialized computer hardware and software designed for the blind and vision impaired. SDCB also provides low vision services through assessment, product recommendation and training. Low vision services are provided by a Optometrist with a specialty in low vision services and a Occupational Therapist with a specialty in low vision.
Where we work
External reviews
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
To provide the necessary services, including independent living skills, adjustment to vision loss counseling, assessment and training with the appropriate assistive technology (including accessible computer software, and low vision magnification systems), so that the individual with no vision to those with changing vision are able to live an independent lifestyle. This would include but no be limited to returning to work, school or being able to continue living at home. Build the capacity to serve more patients in the Low Vision Clinic.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The San Diego Center for the Blind has been providing vision rehabilitation services in San Diego County for over 40 years and has developed a comprehensive program and service delivery that safely and efficiently returns the individual with no vision to those with changing vision to an independent lifestyle. The following strategies have been developed to achieve our mission:
Low Vision Clinic and Assistive Technology Center & Store: Low vision screening and assessment is provided by a Low Vision Optometrist and a Low Vision Occupational Therapist. Patients are assessed and prescribed low vision aids are trained on the use of low vision equipment such as handheld, portable and desktop magnifiers. In addition, clients are assessed and evaluated for lighting, sunshades and more. This is the only facility of its kind in San Diego County. We provide a wide range of products for individuals with no vision to those with changing vision. Products include: Magnifiers, lighting, kitchen aids, accessible computer hardware and software, time pieces and more. Individuals are able to be assessed for their needs and requirements and try out various types of equipment that will best help them to achieve their goals.
Counseling: Making the transition from being a fully sighted member of the community to one of being non- or partially sighted can be an overwhelming, if not a traumatic, event. Our instruction and counseling focuses on making this transition as smooth and successful as possible, particularly for individuals who are in an emotionally fragile state following sight loss. Once the goals of the individual have been reached, the blind or vision impaired adult is better able to return to an independent lifestyle. Professional staff include Clinical Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Rehabilitation Counselors.
Independent Living Skills: We offer an extensive schedule of all the courses necessary to train individuals in essential life skills including safety skills, daily living skills, sensory awareness, kitchen skills and more -- all designed to ensure successful independence.
Orientation and Mobility: Training on how to travel safely and efficiently is critical for the individual with vision loss to continue living as independently as possible. This includes the proper use of white canes, utilizing public transportation and traveling safely at home, in the neighborhood, city, state and abroad. This is a highly specialized course taught by master degreed certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists.
Communication Skills: Training is provided to those with vision on how to navigate a keyboard which is necessary in order to access computers using various hardware and software specifically designed for someone with no vision to those with changing vision. In addition, instruction on reading and writing Braille are provided as well.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The San Diego Center for the Blind (SDCB) is the only private, non-profit community based organization
of its kind in all of San Diego County. SDCB provides a wide range of vision rehabilitation services and operates a comprehensive assistive technology center and store.
SDCB provides the highest quality of professional services striving to continue to meet the expectations of the clients we serve and their family. In addition SDCB adheres to the ethical and professional standards from a number of organizations that are represented by our staff. SDCB is a model vision rehabilitation agency that provides an accessible facility by utilizing specific way-finding design techniques. SDCB is currently approved by the State and Federal governments as a private not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization.
SDCB management has over 70 years of combined experience in non-profit management and specifically managing independent livings skills vision rehabilitation program for OIB. This includes client financial and facility management. SDCB utilizes a HIPPA compliant database system to track client progress which includes both process and outcome. An onsite controller utilizes currently accepted bookkeeping procedures and utilizes an outside CPA to conduct annual audits and prepare necessary IRS required documents. A fleet manager oversees the drivers and maintenance and record keeping of the Centers eight wheelchair accessible buses.
SDCB provides the following services: Low vision assessment and training, Adaptive Equipment/Assistive Technology training, Orientation and Mobility, Communication skills (Braille, keyboard skills, recording devices and writing skills), Independent Living Skills, Adjustment to Vision Loss Counseling,
Our staff of professional for the the rehabilitation program are trained in this very specialized field and half of the staff are blind and vision impaired. Specifically, vision rehabilitation staff include both Certified Low Vision Specialists and Orientation and Mobility Specialists from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), and Licensed Clinical Psychologists. SDCB is also an approved training site for graduate students in clinical psychology, social work and rehabilitation counseling.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
SDCB's program service delivery system has become a recognized model for providing timely and efficient vision rehabilitation services to adults with no vision to those with changing vision.
The Low Vision Clinic is providing low vision screening by a low vision optometrist, and the necessary technology and training by a low vision occupational therapists.
Increase the numbers of individuals who receive either vision rehabilitation services, Low Vision Clinic Services or both.
Continue to monitor and assess the changing needs of the population with vision loss.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is hard to come up with good questions to ask people
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
San Diego Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired
Board of directorsas of 01/24/2024
Lorie White
Kim D. Foote
Woodbury Financial
Keith E. Kerchenfaut
Department of Rehabilitation, Retired
Lorie White
Eye care professional
Jack M Dapra
Security Professional, Retired
Brian Clapper
Retired
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes