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"To empower people with vision loss to realize their full potential, and to shape the community's vision of that potential.”
Our programs and services are designed to empower our clients to move beyond limitations.
Grasselli House
The first home of Cleveland Sight Center was the Goodrich Settlement House at that time located in downtown Cleveland. In 1918, philanthropist Caesar Grasselli donated his personal home, pictured above, on East 55th Street.
CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER HISTORY
Cleveland Sight Center was founded in 1906 by seven volunteers dedicated to creating opportunities for persons with impaired vision to lead rich lives, full of achievement. The agency has pioneered many programs that have become national models, earning it the reputation as a leader among agencies serving blind and visually impaired persons. Our continuum of services addresses such diverse needs as developmental training for parents of children with vision loss and in-home rehabilitation training for seniors, making Cleveland Sight Center one of the most comprehensive private agencies serving those with visual impairments in the United States.
In 1909, with the cooperation of the Cleveland Board of Education, the agency initiated day school classes for children who were blind. In 1922, Cleveland Sight Center (then Cleveland Society for the Blind) opened the first concession stand operated by a visually disabled individual. This program became the model for similar programs currently operating in all 50 states. Highbrook Lodge in Geauga County became the first camp in the nation dedicated to serving blind persons when it opened in 1928. Each summer approximately 400 campers learn and grow while enjoying the outdoors and the fun activities of residential camping.
When it opened in 1984, the nationally acclaimed STORER Computer Access Center expanded educational and employment opportunities for those with reduced vision through the use of adaptive software and other assistive technology. Cleveland Sight Center’s current initiatives include a short-term counseling program for clients experiencing depression due to vision loss and the Share the Vision service through which we help clients having difficulty adjusting to vision loss find support with peers who have made a successful transition.
Today, nearly 150 specially trained staff members and more than 1600 dedicated volunteers provide programs designed to help individuals of all ages with vision impairment learn, work, play and live independently.
Cleveland Sight Center Today
Annually, close to 50 children (infants through age five) participate in our early intervention and preschool program in agency classrooms or at home. Early Childhood Education specialists teach developmental, social and school readiness skills preparing these children to learn in mainstream classes alongside their sighted classmates. We offer support and practical information encouraging parents to take an active role as their child’s most valuable teacher. About 600 students through age 18 benefit from social and recreational activities, educational and career counseling and advocacy services.
Working-age adults need meaningful jobs, whether volunteer or paid. The unemployment rate among individuals who are legally blind is over 70 percent. Cleveland Sight Center’s Employment Services secures jobs for visually impaired workers by providing counseling, job-related evaluation and training, and placement. In addition to teaching daily living skills for travel and household management, we offer adaptive devices in our "EYE-dea" Shop, Low Vision Clinic and the STORER Computer Access Center. These range from simple marking systems for clothing, to sophisticated state-of-the-art computerized communication tools, to auto-focusing telescopic lenses. The Business Enterprises Program prepares clients for careers as food service managers or employees.
Seventy percent of our clients are seniors over the age of 60. Like other adults they need the skills and adaptive devices to take care of their daily needs. Our community rehabilitation and mobility instructors provide these services in the individual’s home. Clients may also learn these skills on site at the agency. Alternative means of communication such as Talking Books, Braille and Recording Services, and our Radio Reading Service are available. We also teach seniors and others with low vision to use magnification, lighting and other aids to live safely and independently with diminished vision.
Our comprehensive services provide the basis for a productive and independent life for our clients at any age.
