Visions Announces The Opening of Blindline

Summary:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE(New York, NY) - VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is excited to announce the opening of Blindline.

This new project provides a toll-free number for access to a New York statewide database of products and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, their family members, caregivers, and professionals. The call center is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm by calling 888-625-1616. A fully accessible public website with direct access to the database and a customer feedback feature has been open to the public since December 2005.

At a public hearing hosted by the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) in 2002, members of the blind and visually impaired community testified about the lack of a central, statewide resource for services and products for people of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. In response, Ms. Nancy D. Miller, Executive Director of VISIONS, a non-profit rehabilitation service provider in the New York City metropolitan area, received the approval of the VISIONS Board of Directors to find a solution. Research confirmed that information was often difficult to find and limited in scope. Blindline was conceived to fill this void.

The Blindline Call Center is based on an inclusive database of products and programs that are accessible or adapted for people with vision loss. The data base includes rehabilitation and social services, accessible businesses, adapted entertainment and cultural institutions with programs for people who are visually impaired. In addition to providing a free available resource, Blindline offers the opportunity for including consumer driven services and information. If the requested information is not already in the database, our researchers will track it down and, if found, add it to the database. The Blindline website includes a consumer comment feature which allows them to share comments on various products and services based on their experiences.

Blindline's Information Specialists are blind and visually impaired individuals with an interest in finding paid employment in a variety of settings including Information and Referral services, Human Resource Management, Marketing/Outreach, social services, IT Support Desk and others. As interns, they are able to develop new skills and improve on the skills they already possess. This project provides maximum accessibility for its operators, researchers and administrators through the use of adaptive technology. Blindline also serves as a model and guide for other call centers and employers who wish to become more accessible to prospective employees who are blind and visually impaired.

Non-profit partners and corporate funders have recognized the value of Blindline. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has partnered with VISIONS in this exciting new project. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB) have strongly supported the project from the start. An exceptional Advisory Committee of partners, funders, consumers, professionals, technology, and I&R experts assists with the design and planning for growth. As the primary source of financial support, the Lavelle Fund for the Blind has awarded VISIONS a major grant in support of Blindline. American Express responded with a grant for the cost of seven toll-free phone lines and marketing efforts. IBM graciously provided the seven state-of-the-art computer workstations and a printer. With this level of interest and participation, Blindline has been perfectly poised for success.

Blindline is located at VISIONS main administrative office in Lower Manhattan. It is the latest manifestation of VISIONS' mission to promote the independence of people of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. VISIONS programs and services include rehabilitation services, therapeutic recreation for individuals and families at Vacation Camp for the Blind in Rockland County, NY, and a community center for blind adults and seniors at Selis Manor on West 23rd Street in Manhattan.

If information is power, then Blindline is empowerment. To learn more about VISIONS and Blindline you can contact Julio C. Perez, Director of Information Services, (888) 625-1616 Ext. 710 or Email jcperez1@visionsvcb.org

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