Massachusetts Association for Blind and Visually Impaired awarded with grant from Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund to support services for people losing their vision in region

The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) is proud to announce that it has been bestowed a $5,000 grant from the Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund, a joint grant initiative of the Community Foundation of North Central MA and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, in their second year of support to increase access to vision rehabilitation services in the Nashoba Valley region.

MABVI offers a variety of services for individuals coping with vision loss, helping them to remain as independent and active in their communities as possible. Uncorrectable vision loss is one of the major reasons for seniors losing independence, and it can lead to social isolation and depression. Thanks in part to this funding from the Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund, comprehensive vision rehabilitation services are available to residents of the region. These include:

- Low vision examinations: An eye doctor will conduct a specialized exam to help the individual learn to use his or her remaining vision.

- In-home vision rehabilitation: An occupational therapist will come to the individual’s home and help him or her learn adaptive strategies for living with vision loss.

- Peer-led low vision support groups: These meet in Concord, Marlborough, Leominster, and Northborough – as well as in other locations throughout Massachusetts – to help people adjust to life with limited vision.

- Volunteer services: MABVI may be able to match visually impaired individuals with a volunteer to help with things such as grocery shopping, clerical tasks, running errand, or reading mail.

Shaun Kinsella, Statewide Director of MABVI, stresses that the focus of these efforts is to help adults and elders maintain their independence as much as possible, providing them with support to manage their own healthcare routines, complete tasks in their homes, and remain active members of their local communities.

“The goal of this integrated service,” he says, “is to provide Nashoba Valley residents who are coping with vision loss with the services and support they need, while still maintaining their quality of life in their own homes or living situations.”

Anyone who wants more information should call 888-613-2777 or visit MABVI’s website at www.mabvi.org.

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ABOUT MABVI:
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been creating opportunities for people with vision loss since 1903. Our experience allows us to forge strong community partnerships to meet the pressing need for high quality services and transform lives.