5 Initiatives Giving Sight to the Visually

Impaired
Learn about these empowering initiatives that are changing the lives
of visually impaired individuals throughout the world.
May 22, 2015
Tags:
Visually Impaired, Blind, Sight, Vision, Leader Dogs, British Blind Sport, Orbis, Be My
Eyes, Helen Keller International

There are a lot of incredible initiatives out there that are improving the lives of the
visually impaired by providing them with alternative ways to see and live
independently. Learn about these five Goodnet selected organizations and apps that
are helping visually impaired individuals throughout the world.

1. THE NONPROFIT THAT SAVES SIGHT AND LIVES

Helen Keller was a pioneer and paved the way for fair treatment and awareness of
blind and deaf individuals. Her legacy can still be felt today with the HELEN KELLER
INTERNATIONAL which was founded in 1915. The nonprofit aims to prevent
blindness and vision loss in developing countries, through cataract surgery, vision
correction, vitamin A supplementation and more. In the United States, Helen Keller
International provides free in-school vision screenings and prescription eyeglasses to
children in underserved communities.

The Helen Keller Foundation is active in over 21 countries. [Facebook]

2. THE APP THAT GIVES EYES TO THE BLIND

BE MY EYES is an incredible app that connects sighted volunteers with blind
individuals to help them everyday tasks- all via a live video connection.
Requests such as checking the expiration date on a carton of milk are what Be My
Eyes specializes in. The simple to use app lets visually impaired users send out a
request for assistance to a network of sighted volunteers. In an easy and informal
interaction, the blind person films what they need assistance with, the helper
describes what they see - and together they work to solve the problem.

Lending eyes to the visually impaired. [Be My Eyes]

3. THE WORLDS ONLY FLYING EYE HOSPITAL

Merging vision with aviation, ORBIS started off as a mobile teaching hospital that
trains future eye doctors from developing countries.
The nonprofit has expanded beyond the plane and now has long-term programs and
training in various countries, focusing on rural areas and underserved urban
communities. Their programs focus on the treatment and prevention of childhood
blindness, cataract, trachoma and corneal disease.

A fully functioning hospital onboard. [Facebook]

4. THE CANINE HELPERS THAT PROVIDE MOBILITY AND

SUPPORT
Dogs are considered some of our most beloved companions, but when properly
trained, canines have the ability to serve as the eyes for someone who cannot see.
The LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND specially trains and provides seeing-eye dogs
for free to applicants including blind-deaf- who want to increase their mobility. In
addition to their dog-training expertise, the charity holds a summer camp for teens,
full of typical camp activities plus independent skill training, leadership development
and an intro to guide dogs.

This yellow lab is undergoing training to become a Leader Dog. [Facebook]

5. THE NONPROFIT THAT IS ALL ABOUT SPORTS, ATHLETICS

AND FUN
Tennis, soccer, judo and archery are just some of the sports available through
the BRITISH BLIND SPORT nonprofit. The goal of the charity is to help blind and
partially sighted people get active and play sports. They do this by organizing
competitions, providing sight classifications to blind and partially sighted athletes to
ensure fair and equal competition as well as educating teachers so that children with
visual impairments can play.

Tennis is one of the sports offered at British Blind Sport.