Mission
Second Sense inspires individuals to move beyond vision loss and believe in their abilities. Through client-centered support and training, they learn new skills, build confidence and realize their value in our community. Together, we are changing society's perception of human potential.
Ruling year
1950
Executive Director
Mr. Steven Zelner
Main address
65 E. Wacker Place Ste 1010
Chicago, IL 60601 USA
Formerly known as
Guild for the Blind
EIN
36-2229565
NTEE code
Services to Promote the Independence of Specific Populations (P80)
Services to Promote the Independence of Specific Populations (P80)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Vision loss is about more than just loss of sight. It is about loss of identity, loss of independence, loss of mobility and loss of confidence. Second Sense works with our clients to provide the emotional support and practical training that allow them to move beyond vision loss and live active, productive lives. Vision loss compromises a person's quality of life by limiting their ability to complete daily tasks, participate in favorite activities, and socialize with family and friends: Without intervention, vision loss brings social isolation, anxiety, depression, compromised health and early cognitive decline. Vision rehabilitation training can significantly improve the quality of life for adults with vision loss, cutting in half the rate of depression and increasing independence.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Assistive Technology Training
Technology training teaches our clients how to use both mainstream technology (like smart phones, tablets and speakers) and technology adapted for people with vision loss (screen magnification and screen reading). We work individually with each client allowing the instructor to focus on the client's specific training goals. Some clients need to start with the basics, other need to transition to assistive technology, and some want to learn a specific tool, like their iPhone.
We offer training both at our downtown office and at clients' homes.
Clients can use our open lab for one-on-one tutoring, to learn to use the keyboard or for personal projects. We have volunteer technology tutors at site to provide training and assistance.
We also offer group workshops, including our monthly Apple Exchange. This group training focuses on using the iPhone and iPad as tools of independence. These devices offer great accessibility and a variety of tools for people with vision loss.
Independent Living Services
When someone loses their vision, they need to relearn how to do old tasks--from eating to organizing to walking safely.
Clients receive individual training on skills like dining with confidence (learning to eat comfortably in public when you can't see the food on your plate), personal appearance (applying makeup or shaving), kitchen skills (safely using knives and kitchen appliances), communications (braille, magnification, writing, iPhones and iPads), home management and leisure activities.
Group training and educational workshops offer opportunities for learning new skills and support groups help build confidence.
We also offer professional training to low-vision support group leaders. We have educational information on our website, offer ongoing education opportunities and provide direct support through email discussion groups and one-on-one remote assistance.
Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility teaches clients how to use their remaining senses to to safely move about:
• Using a white cane
• Traveling outdoors: Finding sidewalks, identifying driveways, finding curbs
• Crossing streets: Identifying the type of intersection — stop sign vs. stop light — and analyzing traffic patterns to determine when it is safe to cross
• Planning routes: Number of street crossings, landmarks, cardinal directions
• Developing mental maps: envisioning the route in your head
• Using public transit
• Incorporating GPS apps
Our Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists provide this training individually in the client’s home, community and place of work.
The instructor works with clients to develop routes to specific destinations. This can include traveling on public transit or simply walking to the grocery store. They travel these routes together, developing ways to overcome barriers (railroad tracks, sidewalk cafes) and using this to practice the skills.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of community events or trainings held and attendance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Independent Living Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Community workshops and training are held at low-vision support group meetings throughout Cook, Lake and DuPage counties in Illinois.
Number of members from priority population attending training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Total number of clients who received vision rehabilitation training. These numbers have declined as we switched from group to individual training. Numbers in 2020-2021 were impacted by the pandemic.
Number of training workshops
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Most of our training is now offered individually. We increased remote workshops during the pandemic March 2020-June 2021.
Number of individuals attending community events or trainings
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Independent Living Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
We added individual training in client's homes and decreased the number of workshops. No community workshops were offered during the pandemic.
Number of individuals applying skills learned through the organization's training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Adults
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Individuals who received direct training are assessed for their ability to perform the skill and then asked if they have used the skill in the six-weeks following training.
Number of clients passing job skill competency exams or assessments after completing course
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Veterans, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Assistive Technology Training
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Second Sense provides adaptive technology training to adults seeking employment. After training, clients are tested individually to assess competency.
Average number of dollars received per donor
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Average giving per individual donor to our annual fund. This does not include foundation/corporation grants, major gifts or bequests.
Number of adults with disabilities receiving sufficient social and emotional support
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, Caregivers, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Independent Living Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Second Sense provides resources and training to community-based low vision support group leaders to enable them to facilitate impactful support groups that focus on vision rehabilitation.
Number of grants and research funding awarded to the institution
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
We made a major change in our services in 2016/2017. We added more individual training and training off-site. This shift allows us to seek funding from new sources and increased grants received.
Number of computer literacy/skills/technology courses conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Assistive Technology Training
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Second Sense transitioned to individual training in 2018 to enable our clients and instructors to focus on individual client goals. We do still offer half-day training classes.
Number of clients with vision loss receiving orientation and mobility training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, People with vision impairments
Related Program
Independent Living Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Orientation and Mobility training teaches people with vision loss to use their remaining senses to determine their place in the environment and safely and independently navigate to their destination.
Number of clients living independently
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Adults
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All of our training options teach clients how to live more independently.
Number of older adults being supported to live at home through home care, assistive technology, and/or personal support plans
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, People with vision impairments
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is a new service launched in 2016 that provides in-home vision rehabilitation training to seniors to enable them to live independent at home.
Number of people aged 65+ receiving home care
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with vision impairments, Seniors
Related Program
Independent Living Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
We add in-home training to seniors with vision loss in 2017. These seniors learn to perform daily tasks independently. Much lower numbers in 2020 and 2921 due to pandemic.
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?
Second Sense focuses on the individual. We work to help each person accept their vision loss, realize their true potential, set goals to achieve that potential, and gain the skills to reach those goals. Our clients range in age from 21 to 95. Some have been blind all their lives and some just lost their vision. Some have had long careers and others have never held a job. Some have a strong support system, with family and friends who are supportive of their independence and encourage them to learn and grow. Others have family and friends who are so afraid for their safety they encourage dependence.
Each client needs to work at their own pace, determine their own path and set their own goals in consultation with professionals trained in the field of vision rehabilitation.
Working within this framework, our goal for each client is to help they move beyond vision loss and learn the skills they need to live fulfilling lives -- however they define them.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our programs are all delivered by professional specifically trained to provide services to adults with vision loss. This ensures our clients are receiving the best training and are performing the skills safely and efficiently. Not only does this serve them well, they become ambassadors of proper vision rehabilitation training.
We concentrate on each client, tailoring our services to meet their needs. All services are provided either individually or in small groups. We believe this is the most effective and efficient way to offer training -- everything is hands-on with lots of repetition. Our clients need to feel comfortable doing the task and confident enough to tell others they do not need help. They need to be able to advocate for themselves on a daily basis, at home, at work and when out in the community.
We have been increasing our individual training since 2017, as we find this results in the strongest outcomes and satisfaction for our clients.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our staff are our core strength. They are all professionals, most with advanced degrees in their field. They are passionate about their work and their clients. We have strong, committed board that believes in our mission, our work and our service philosophy.
Our staff have built strong partnerships with other community organizations, outside professionals, peers in their fields. We have a strong volunteer base, made up mostly of former clients. Because our services are all delivered directly by staff on an individual basis, our staff determine the impact and outcome of our services.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2017, we add two staff positions to provide individual orientation and mobility training and daily living skills training. Both are important skills, but are often neglected, provided by unskilled staff or offered on a very limited basis. Our training has quickly gained a high reputation and is much sought after.
We have learned that offering a variety of options is the best way to reach our audience. We have become known for our creative programs and our staff is requested to present at national conferences, provide webinars and offer training at other community organizations.
We transitioned to individual training for all our program areas in 2018. After a test period, we found this service model outperformed small group training for complex skills in terms of client outcomes and satisfaction.
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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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Second Sense serves adults with vision loss.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes,
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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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What significant change resulted from feedback?
During the pandemic, some clients expressed an interest in more remote workshops to ease their feelings of isolation. In response, we expanded our workshops to include more than just training workshops. We offered virtual tours of the Lincoln Park Zoo, workshops on meditation, a creative writing workshop and others that focused on ways to expand social opportunities and ease stress.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Our clients feel much more comfortable sharing their opinions. In the past, when we did surveys we rarely received any constructive criticism. Today, our clients will provide opinions, critiques, suggestions and overall reviews of the training they receive and the opportunities we provide.
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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 look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time,
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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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
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Second Sense
Board of directorsas of 06/07/2022
Brett Christenson
Marquette Associates
Term: 2013 - 2023
Laura Rounce
Illinois College of Optometry
Michael Wagner
LSV Asset Management
John Woodcock
TTX
John Heuberger
DLA Piper LLP
Jerry White
Suzanne Miller
Private Practice
Keith Giemzik
BMO Global Asset Management
Jeff Smith
Consultant
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 -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 09/02/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
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