About Us
AGENCY HISTORY
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, formerly Vision Enrichment Services, was established in 1913 by Roberta Griffith, a local woman, who was herself visually impaired. The agency’s services are unique in the Western Michigan area. Programs today have grown from teaching simple domestic tasks to providing a comprehensive range of services. Each is designed to enhance the lives of individuals with visual impaired. We offer services such as Vision Rehabilitation Training, Adjustment to Vision Lost Counseling, Job Training and Job Placement, Assistive Technology Training and orientation and mobility training.
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is centrally located in the heartside area of downtown Grand Rapids, and is convenient to residents in its 13-county service area.
Annually, the agency serves over 1,000 people who are visually impaired with services that range from low vision services, employment training, rehabilitation services and assistive technology training.
1913 – Association for the Blind and Sight Conservation founded
1966 – First orientation and mobility specialist with a Masters degree employed to introduce O & M training in the school system.
1967 – Personal adjustment rehab program introduce and first Masters level rehabilitation teacher hired.
1970 – Moved operation to 215 Sheldon SE
1973 – Low Vision Clinic started
1975 – Braille transcription program started.
1977 – Social work program started.
1988 – Changed name to Vision Enrichment Services
1993 – Peer support groups established throughout West Michigan.
1992 – Low Vision driving program began
1993 – Peer Support groups established
1997 – Changed name to Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
2003 – moved to 456 Cherry Street, SE
2007 – Youth programming started.
2020 – became an independent subsidiary of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
2023 – Reaching Inclusion Through Successful Employment program started
2023 – Assistive Technology training started.