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BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

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BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

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We provide essential services & programs to blind & visually impaired individuals in Bucks County, PA

Our Vision is rich, vibrant and independent lives for the blind or visually impaired. Our Mission is to provide resources, answers and support for people with blindness or other visual impairment that maximize their ability to meet life’s daily challenges and realize their continued self-worth and value to our community.

10/22/2026

What is it like to dine with vision loss? Our 55 attendees at last night’s Experience Vision Loss event had a meaningful opportunity to find out firsthand.

Held every October, this special event brings together clients, family members, and friends to build awareness, understanding, and connection. By experiencing some of the challenges of dining with vision loss, guests gain a deeper appreciation of the everyday experiences of people who are blind or visually impaired, and learn how the right tools and techniques can make a world of difference.

Emily Vasile, Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies at Drexel University and a Certified Low Vision Therapist, led the evening’s educational program. Emily introduced guests to a variety of assistive devices, including the Clover 10 and Smartlux 5” magnifiers, a liquid level indicator, and other helpful tools that can help make everyday tasks more manageable.

The evening began with guests reading a menu with the assistive devices. Then, guests put their new skills to the test during a guided Italian dinner catered by Meglio. Wearing vision simulator glasses that mimicked their loved one’s eye disease, guests practiced pouring water, spreading butter, and cutting food while applying Emily’s tips and techniques.

We then welcomed special guests from the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to our event. Representatives shared information about the services and resources available to individuals who are experiencing vision loss. In recognition of Blindness Awareness Month and White Cane Safety Day, Tara Godwin, an Orientation and Mobility Specialist at BBVS, demonstrated the proper use of the white cane.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our sponsor, First National Bank & Trust Company of Newtown, our dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members who helped make the evening a success!

For more information, please contact the Experience Vision Loss event coordinator, Kim Burton, at 215.968.9400 or [email protected].

Please check out our YouTube video on the event: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qpeS_6xsgfU

10/16/2026

Last week, the BCABVI Lions Club hosted a semi-formal fundraising luncheon! It was a wonderful opportunity for our clients to come together, connect, and enjoy a lovely afternoon while helping their community.

10/14/2026

October 15th Is White Cane Safety Day!

The white cane is more than a mobility tool—it’s a symbol of independence, confidence, and freedom for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The modern white cane’s history is rooted in efforts to help veterans regain their independence during and after World War II. In the 1940s, at Valley Forge Army Hospital, the U.S. Army established a program to rehabilitate military personnel who had lost their vision because of injuries during the war.

Richard Hoover, with the assistance of John Bledsoe, helped transform the traditional cane into a lightweight, practical mobility tool. Hoover developed a technique that involved sweeping the cane from side to side to detect obstacles and changes in elevation before reaching them. Known as the Hoover Cane Technique, this approach transformed independent travel for people with vision loss and remains widely used today. Learn more about the history of the white cane; please visit: https://www.marylandschoolfortheblind.org/the-white-cane-connection.

We recognize how essential the white cane is to our clients’ independence, confidence, and mobility. Our Orientation & Mobility specialists provide specialized training to help individuals develop the skills they need to navigate their world more safely and independently. If you or a loved one needs this specialized training, please contact us at 215.968.9400.

10/07/2026

What if you could experience a moment from American history—not just by hearing about it, but by touching it, exploring it, and building a picture of it with your own hands? That’s exactly what a group of friends/BCABVI clients experienced when they coordinated and organized a memorable visit to Washington Crossing Historic Park last week. The group embarked on a multisensory journey into the Revolutionary War through sound, vivid description, and touch.

Guide Pat Murphy set the scene, sharing the history of Washington Crossing and describing the dramatic events surrounding General George Washington’s famous river crossing. After Pat’s detailed description of Emanuel Leutze’s iconic painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, participants watched the orientation film, then broke into two groups.

Pat led a group to explore a bronze wall relief depicting the crossing. Fingers traced the contours of the figures and the boat, turning a moment from more than two centuries ago into something tangible and real. Alex Robb guided the other group through Revolutionary War replica items, explaining their history and use while the group asked questions and handled the items. Then the groups switched, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to experience both activities before continuing to the Durham Boat area.

BCABVI Communications Coordinator attended Washington Crossing Historic Park in July 2024 for the unveiling of the accessible bronze relief, designed and donated by artist Dr. Ellen Qiongzhao Schicktanz. Returning to the park and seeing its continued commitment to accessibility is especially meaningful as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of Washington’s crossing. It is a powerful reminder that our history belongs to all of us—and everyone deserves the opportunity to experience it.

BCABVI is grateful to Jennifer Martin, Executive Director of The Friends of Washington Crossing Park; Kimberly A. McCarty, Museum Curator; Philly Touch Tours; and guides Pat Murphy and Alex Robb for opening the door to history in such an engaging, thoughtful, and accessible way. We are inspired by our clients coming together to experience this important time in our history.

09/30/2026

Exciting News For Age-Related Macular Degeneration!

There’s some exciting news in the field of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

The Cochlear implant, known as PRIMA is a groundbreaking advancement in retinal technology. This device is designed to restore functional central vision for people experiencing geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry AMD. While the device has already launched in Europe, it is anticipated to be available in the U.S. in 2027.

According to the PRIMA website: “PRIMA is designed to use a tiny implant and a special pair of glasses to replicate the function of light-sensitive cells in the eye that have been lost.” prima.science.xyz

The results from clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine have been promising. Per the University of Pittsburgh: “Of the 32 participants who completed 12 months of follow-up, 26 achieved clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity, and 27 participants reported using the prosthetic vision system tested in the trial at home for reading numbers or words. On average, participants improved by 25 letters—about five lines—on a standard eye chart when using the device. Eighty-one percent of participants gained 10 or more letters.” https://www.medschool.pitt.edu/news/retinal-implant-restores-central-vision-patients-age-related-macular-degeneration.

The device has received FDA designation as a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) in the U.S., which is intended to accelerate the regulatory review process.

For more information about PRIMA, please view this Youtube Short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CyKK6lnAw3M

09/23/2026

Clients enjoy meeting up, and yesterday’s in-person event was no exception. We tried a new activity for this month’s event: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? Our clients rose to the challenge and successfully tackled even the more difficult rounds of the game.

It’s always wonderful to see our clients laughing, catching up, and sharing quality time with each other. It’s also very rewarding for our clients.

Per the Blind Welfare Society:
"For individuals with visual impairment, maintaining relationships and participating in group activities can reduce feelings of loneliness, boost self-esteem, and improve overall mental health. Social engagement provides opportunities for personal expression, shared experiences, and mutual support, which can be especially beneficial for people with visual impairments who may sometimes feel disconnected from the broader community."
(Building Social Connections: Activities and Groups for Visually Impaired People, 2026). Blind Welfare Society.

With the holidays approaching, we have some exciting themed in-person events planned, including next month’s annual Halloween Bingo. To learn about our in-person events, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit our Facebook & Instagram pages.

09/16/2026

Sometimes it’s easy to take everyday tasks for granted, like running to the grocery store when we need to pick something up for dinner. For people who are blind or visually impaired, these tasks can be quite challenging.

Since many eye diseases are age-related, as the population of Bucks County ages, more individuals are experiencing vision loss. Statistically, our population has a higher number of older people than nationally. According to Neilsberg.com, a market research company, Bucks County’s senior (65+) population is 19.96% compared to 16.84% nationwide. This means the number of people with vision loss requiring assistance with routine activities will continue to rise in our area.

We offer clients like Carole door-to-door transportation assistance for grocery shopping, banking, and doctor’s appointments, which is impactful.

“The Association is taking me for doctor's appointments and grocery shopping, which I wouldn’t be able to do that easily, so it’s made a big difference in my life.” - Carole, BCABVI Client

For more information about our transportation and in-home support (grocery list prep, mail reading, and bill paying), please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit our website at bucksblind.org.

To see the impact of our transportation services on Carole, please view this YouTube short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4y8RMkijOl0

09/11/2026

In honor of National Service Dog Month, the BCABVI Lions Club had some special visitors yesterday.

Three volunteer raisers from The Seeing Eye organization attended the meeting and brought their dogs in training: Eddy, a one-year-old black lab/retreiver mix; Ingrid, a 13-week-old yellow lab; and Poppy, a 10-month-old yellow lab.

Our client Marie shared some information from the visit: "The puppies spend 12-14 months with the raisers, then go back to Morristown for 3-4 months to be trained as guide dogs. They train about 500 dogs a year, and 50-60% of them go on to be guide dogs."

For more information about The Seeing Eye organization, please visit: https://seeingeye.org.

09/09/2026

It’s no coincidence that dogs are called man’s best friend. They have provided companionship, unconditional love, and loyalty to humans for thousands of years.

For blind and visually impaired individuals, guide dogs*, a specialized subset of service dogs, play an important role. They assist with daily tasks, alert their handlers to medical issues, provide physical and mobility support by helping navigate obstacles and traffic while walking, and much more.

Ask anyone who has a service dog, and they will tell you how their dog has transformed their life in many positive ways, particularly by helping them remain independent and providing wonderful companionship.

This is why we think it is apropos that September is National Service Dog Month. Per canine.org’s website, it’s “a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the life-changing impact service dogs have on people with disabilities.”

There are many guide dog organizations, including Guide Dogs For The Blind, Guiding Eyes For The Blind, Guide Dog Foundation, and The Seeing Eye.

*All guide dogs are service dogs. Guide dogs are specially trained to perform tasks for blind and visually impaired people.

To see a guide dog in action, please watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPCATkLRAH8

09/07/2026

We will be closed today in observance of Labor Day and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and joyful holiday.

Address

400 Freedom Drive
Newtown, PA
18940

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Website

http://www.bucksblind.org/

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