Via Visually Impaired Advancement

Switchboards & contact center: we operate a market competitive social enterprise for the purpose of providing training and employment for people who are blind. Through these efforts we operate contact center and switchboard service for numerous federal, state, municipal and commercial customers providing services 24 hours, 7 days per week. Services include 211, the health and human service information referral help line and resource database for the 8 counties of western new york; niagara county 311 service; switchboard operations at the va medical centers in buffalo, ny and erie, pa; university at buffalo switchboard services; intake for emergency rent assistance programs for counties and municipalities; housing placement for people who are homeless; and many other community service offerings. Over 65% of the staff is blind or physically disabled and compensated with competitive wages and benefits.

Vision rehabilitation: agency programs provide vision rehabilitation and educational services throughout the 8 counties in western new york. We provide comprehensive rehabilitation services from birth to the elderly that focus on early intervention, preschool and school-aged programs and services; independent living skills in the home, school and community; orientation and mobility (white cane travel); social work and adjustment to vision loss counseling; vocational training and job placement programs that focus on employment; low vision exams and instruction in the use of adaptive technology that assist with maximizing independence. We serve approximately 1000 clients annually.