The Pennsylvania Association for the Blind “PAB” was founded in 1910. We were the nation’s first statewide nonprofit membership agency providing services to persons with vision impairment. Our executive office is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces towards change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” Operating a nonprofit organization these days is also a daring adventure! We face many interesting challenges these days. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging estimates that by the year 2020, 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians will be age 60 or over. According to a survey conducted by Prevent Blindness America, the percentage of Pennsylvanians with vision impairment is 3.22%. Nationwide, the average is 2.88%. Given that the leading causes of vision loss and blindness are age related, the number of people requiring vision-related services in Pennsylvania will continue to grow. We are continually looking for ways to meet the challenge of providing services that will be timely and relevant to our aging population.
As a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the face of the blinded veteran is changing. Until recent years, the average age of blinded veterans presenting to the Veterans Administration for services was 73. The primary eye condition treated was Macular Degeneration. As a result of improvised explosive devices (IED’s) soldiers, sailors and marines are returning in record numbers with traumatic brain injuries that result in vision impairment. In March, 2009, the Department of Defense reported that as many as 360,000 troops may have suffered brain injuries. It has been estimated that up to 40% of those with brain injuries have vision problems as a result of their injury.
As a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the face of the blinded veteran is changing. Until recent years, the average age of blinded veterans presenting to the Veterans Administration for services was 73. The primary eye condition treated was Macular Degeneration. As a result of improvised explosive devices (IED’s) soldiers, sailors and marines are returning in record numbers with traumatic brain injuries that result in vision impairment. In March, 2009, the Department of Defense reported that as many as 360,000 troops may have suffered brain injuries. It has been estimated that up to 40% of those with brain injuries have vision problems as a result of their injury.
Recognizing the need to help blind and visually impaired children acquire the skills that will enable them to make the transition from high school to college or the workforce, the PAB has developed a statewide program to address some of those issues. We call it STEP – Student Transition to Education Preparation. We are also collaborating this summer with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network to hold a Summer College Preparatory Academy at Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This is a two week program that will simulate living in a college dorm. Program content will include:
- Rehabilitation Teaching to develop and enhance independent living skills essential for a successful college experience;
- Orientation and Mobility instruction to enhance necessary independent travel skills;
- Career exploration to define students’ considered vocational direction;
- Enhancement of students’ skills with their access technologies;
- Development of self-advocacy, social skills and team building.
As we have for almost 100 years, we will continue to move PAB forward as a statewide organization with the training and resources to meet the needs of the residents of the Commonwealth. We will work to broaden our vision, redefine our service delivery system, and create a road map that will determine how we provide services for the coming years.
Elaine R. Welch President/CEO
Elaine R. Welch President/CEO