Services
BCAB Services Available
Magnifiers and Low Vision Aids
We seek to prevent blindness by reducing the risks for treatable diseases that can lead to blindness through a combination of educational programs available to anyone in the community as well as preschool and adult vision screenings as well as remedial eye care. Our staff at The Butler County Association for the Blind are anxious to serve you, so please do not hesitate to call us at 724-287-4059 or 1-866-382-4232.
Home visits are a large part of the beginning of services and programs at the Butler County Association for the Blind. A call to the caseworker can set up a home or office visit, if preferred. Information, services available or problems can be discussed during these visits. We are developing our low vision program to offer magnifiers, CCTVs, and other available accessories to help the visually impaired or blind consumer deal with vision loss.
Light chore services can be provided for visually and financially eligible customers. These chores include mail reading, bill paying, organizing and marking items for identification, and other vision-loss related tasks. Grocery shopping can be done when accompanied by the customer. This assistance does not include any type of cleaning services or yard work, but if you need help with those tasks please contact us for a referral to a community agency that can provide this service to you.
for children - we offer upon request to attend educational assemblies to discuss eye health and safety programs, sensitive to age level, "Take Care of Your Eyes" safety coloring/activity book given to younger children after programs. "Guardian" - an eye health and safety publication - is given to most fourth graders four times a year.
for parents and teachers - programs about children's vision problems explaining available treatment options and outcomes.
for all adults - "The Aging Eye" describes vision problems in adults such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as available treatment options.
We have a large banquet room available to rent for trainings, meetings, or other social gatherings for a reasonable rate to anyone interested, please check here for more information.
When services are needed that are not available at our agency, our customers will be referred as necessary to receive prompt and expert service. Rehabilitation services are provided by the state agency - The Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services.
Life skills services include classes about vision loss and how to adjust to it. Also included are speakers from community agencies which can teach skills and provide information to make life better for our visually impaired customers. Life skills can also be for individuals who need to adjust to blindness or sight-loss. These skills can be taught in the customer's home or in the office setting, depending on your preference.
Magnifiers and Low Vision Aids
We have magnifiers and low vision aids available, with a limited selection. Please make an appointment to see these items and talk to the life skills manager. It is important for the person who needs the item(s) to be there at the appointment. If that is not possible, we will make arrangements for a home visit, or whatever is needed to facilitate this need. There is NO CHARGE for the appointment, only what is actually purchased. We have talking clocks and watches. We also have large print and braille playing cards. In addition, we have resources for other low vision aids that we do not have in stock but can assist you in obtaining if you are interested. For more information call us at 724-287-4059 or 1-866-382-4232 and ask for Megan Grenek or send her an email with your name and phone number or e-mail address, so we can answer you.
We offer a variety of brochures on various diseases of the eye, treatment options available, and potential outcomes. We would also be glad to discuss your eye problems with you, and/or refer you to an eye doctor (as well as a counselor) to discuss your options if you wish.
Call us for more information and to discuss options available to you or a loved one with low vision, blindness, or eye problems.
We offer Bingo on Monday nights for anyone who would like to attend. County Lions Clubs and church organizations often sponsor parties and other social activities for our customers. We provide transportation for as many as possible who need it.
Support groups can be very important in readjusting to living as a blind or visually impaired person. These groups are self-help groups and the Butler County Association for the Blind will provide transportation when possible, as requested.
Transportation will be provided to visually impared, financially eligible customers who agree to fill out an application and provide visual and financial information to the caseworker in order to determine eligibility. Customers can be transported to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and some community services. Transportation must be scheduled in advance to receive the best possible service. We do make trips to Pittsburgh and other cities within a thirty-five mile radius of Butler. We should be a last resort option for transportation needs.
for children - vision screenings in schools for children in daycare, preschools, and kindegarten.
for adults - IOP (glaucoma) and vision screenings for senior citizen centers, health and commercial agencies/sites, and any other interested club or group.