Show Your Gratitude: How You Can Give Back to the Blind and Low-Vision Community This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here! For people in the United States, Thanksgiving is about to kick off the holiday season, allowing us to show our appreciation for the people and things we’re grateful for. As you gather with loved ones to celebrate, also consider giving back to the people in your local blind and low-vision community.

Some people in this community may encounter unique challenges during the holiday season. For instance, identifying gift items while shopping independently or safely navigating unfamiliar holiday displays. These common holiday experiences can become more accessible with inclusive designs and accommodations.

While these obstacles don’t affect everyone in the same way, creating a more inclusive society can help ensure that holiday traditions are enjoyable and accessible for all.

Organizations that Champion Accessibility

While small steps can make a big difference at the individual level (we’ll get to those in a minute), there are also larger efforts underway to create lasting change.

Many organizations are working tirelessly to support people with disabilities tackling challenges like employment opportunities, vision care, and accessibility advocacy. By supporting these initiatives, you can amplify your impact and help foster a more inclusive world.

Employment Support

Only 44% of people in the blind community are employed, compared with 79% of people without disabilities. Organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) are working to change this by advocating for inclusive education and employment opportunities.

To address this, the AFB launched Employment Summits to educate employers about the needs and strengths of the blind and low-vision community. These events aim to foster partnerships and develop solutions that lead to sustainable employment opportunities.

In addition, the AFB Blind Leaders Development Program helps the blind community advance into leadership roles. This program focuses on building communication skills and harnessing unique talents so that participants can excel professionally.

Vision Care Research

Assistive technology and innovative research are also transforming the lives of people with blindness or low vision. The Foundation Fighting Blindness leads the way with groundbreaking projects like the My Retina Tracker Registry.

This secure, patient-driven database connects people with inherited retinal degenerations to researchers, accelerating advancements in genetic understanding and treatment.

FFB also manages a unique program collecting donated eye globes from people with retinal degeneration. These donations allow researchers to better understand disease progression and develop treatments, bringing hope to those affected.

Community Services and Resources

Support for the blind and low-vision community goes beyond technological and medical advancements; it includes programs and services that empower people to thrive in their daily lives.

For instance, the National Federation of the Blind provides:

• Teaching Braille, mobility with a white cane, and independent living skills.
• Scholarships, mentorships, and tools for student success.
• Campaigns for legislation promoting accessibility and inclusion.

On a global scale, Lions Club International addresses eye care needs through its SightFirst program, which aims to both prevent blindness and restore vision for people worldwide by:

• Building and upgrading eye care facilities in underserved areas.
• Equipping professionals to treat vision impairments.
• Vision screenings and awareness campaigns to prevent blindness.

It’s organizations like these that foster a sense of community and advocacy for people who are blind or have low vision. Their work drives systemic change, promoting accessibility and equality while addressing both individual needs and broader societal challenges.

If you’re inspired by their impactful initiatives, you can play a part in creating a more inclusive world. There are countless ways to contribute and make a tangible difference this holiday season.

Taking Action in Your Community

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let’s explore some simple yet impactful ways to give back to this community. These methods encompass both technological and nontechnological approaches, because creating a truly inclusive world requires a multifaceted approach.

By taking small steps, we can really make a big difference. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Volunteer

Guide Services: Offer assistance to the blind with everyday tasks that many of us take for granted. Volunteering your time to guide someone through a busy area or to help them complete tasks can make a significant difference in their day.

• Organizations like Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Dogs, Inc. provides opportunities to for you to raise and train guide dogs, helping the blind community to live independent lives.
• Be My Eyes is a free app that connects volunteers with people who need assistance, like identifying objects or reading text, via a live video call. Whether you’re at home or on the go, this platform allows you to offer help instantly.

Support Events: Many organizations rely on volunteers to help raise awareness and funds for causes related to blindness and low vision. By joining events like White Cane Safety Day or charity fundraisers, you can directly support initiatives that improve the lives of blind people.

Check out WordPress Accessibility Day’s annual event, which prioritizes hiring blind speakers to promote inclusion and address the wage disparities they often face. You can volunteer for their event, which is another meaningful way to make an impact in the community.

Teach Technology: Assistive technology helps people with disabilities navigate the world. Volunteer your time to teach assistive technology skills like how to use screen readers (such as JAWS) or how to access websites and apps with accessibility features.

Consider pursuing Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). This certification will enhance your ability to teach others how to use assistive technology tools effectively and help ensure they have access to the resources they need to thrive.

By giving your time and expertise, you can help this community lead more independent, connected, and fulfilling lives, while also promoting inclusion in your community.

Check out our list of volunteer resources at the bottom of the page.

Advocate for Accessibility

Advocating for accessibility is an essential step toward building a more inclusive society. By promoting the implementation of accessible practices in public spaces, schools, and workplaces, you can help advance equal access to opportunities and resources. Here’s how you can take action:

1. Accessible Practices in the Public: Push for the adoption of inclusive practices in your local community, whether through awareness campaigns, direct outreach to policymakers, or participating in town hall meetings, advocating for people who are blind or have low vision can create lasting change.
2. Promote Awareness of the Needs of the Blind Community: Help educate others on the importance of accessibility by organizing community talks, sharing resources on social media, or volunteering with organizations that focus on advocacy. (This leads us to number three!)
3. Partner with Advocacy Organizations: Get involved with organizations that work tirelessly to support accessibility and inclusion. For example, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) advocates for the advancement of accessibility in the tech industry, where you can contribute to the ongoing push for accessible technology standards.
4. Support Organizations Raising Awareness: Another impactful way to advocate is to support nonprofits and initiatives that promote accessibility, like the ones mentioned throughout this article. (Another one to support is The Vision Council Foundation, which is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting accessible vision products for advancing accessibility.)

By actively advocating for these changes and supporting organizations that work for accessibility, you can play a pivotal role in shaping a world where blind and low vision people have the same opportunities to succeed, enjoy public spaces, and thrive in every environment.

Donate Resources

Donating resources can make a significant impact on the lives of the blind community. Here are two effective ways you can give back:

Financial Support: Contributing financially to the organizations mentioned throughout this article is a powerful way to help. Many of these organizations rely on donations to fund vital programs, research, and services that improve the lives of those with visual impairments.

If you’re looking to explore other charity organizations, check out this list of the Best Charities for the Blind which includes a variety of nonprofits that support the blind and low vision community, offering everything from services and advocacy to medical research.

Donate Equipment: Providing assistive devices is another valuable way to contribute. Many local programs or schools are in need of assistive technology and resources. Donating items like Braille books, white canes, or screen-reading software can help empower people to live more independently.

BrailleWorks is an organization that offers resources and a list of associations supporting the blind. You can use their platform to learn more about where to donate equipment and how your contributions will be used to help this community.

Every donation, no matter how small, helps improve lives and advances efforts toward a more accessible society.

Conduct Accessibility Training to Create More Inclusive Digital Experiences

Enhancing accessibility knowledge is also another important way to support people with disabilities. By developing foundational and advanced accessibility principles, you’re taking the first step to building a more inclusive digital experience for your users or customers.

Participating in role-based training courses, like ARC Tutor, allows you to learn on your own time, pick relevant modules, and understand how to apply what you learned effectively.

With ARC Tutor, you can:

• Learn to identify and address accessibility barriers in real-world scenarios.
• Gain hands-on experience in creating inclusive digital environments.
• Stay updated on accessibility standards like WCAG to ensure conformance in your projects.

Take the opportunity to grow your accessibility expertise and make a tangible impact through digital accessibility training initiatives for your organization.

Make a Lasting Impact This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for gratitude, reflection, and action. As we celebrate with friends and family, let’s remember the power of small efforts to create big impacts. Supporting the blind and low-vision community can take many forms, but by taking these steps, you contribute to a more inclusive world where everyone can participate and thrive.

Regional Volunteer Resources

• Royal National Institute of Blind People – International Volunteering Opportunities
• VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired – Metro NY/NJ Volunteering Opportunities
• Helen Keller Services – Long Island, NY Volunteering Opportunities
• The Carroll Center for the Blind – Boston Volunteering Opportunities
• Blind Service Association – Chicago Volunteering Opportunities
• Society for the Blind – Sacramento, CA Volunteering Opportunities
• Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Lous, MO Resources
• Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes – Metro D.C. Volunteer Opportunities
• Metrolina Association for the Blind, Inc. (MAB) – Charlotte, NC Volunteer Opportunities
• Austin Lighthouse – Austin, TX Volunteer Opportunities
• Bluegrass Council of the Blind – KY Volunteer Opportunities
• The Whole Person (TWP) – Kansas Volunteer Opportunities
• National Federation of the Blind – Minnesota Volunteer Opportunities
• National Federation of the Blind – Texas Volunteer Opportunities
• Florida Center for the Blind – Volunteer Opportunities
• The Lighthouse for the Blind – Seattle, WA Volunteer Opportunities
• California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired

We know we’re missing something on this list. Share your organization’s volunteer opportunities by emailing marketing@tpgi.com with your organization’s website and a list of opportunities in your area.