CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services received a $2,125 grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to help meet the operational expenses of the Youth Vision Screening program in north Chautauqua County. The program has been providing free vision screenings to children ages 3-7 years old since the early 1970s. CBA’s mission is to enable visually impaired people to be active members of their community and to provide education and services to prevent vision loss. The Youth Vision Screening program discovers vision issues and over the years has prevented vision impairment and loss.
CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services provides services in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties to those living with legal blindness, as well as youth vision screening for children ages 3-6 years old. CBA is a contract agency with the New York State Commission for the Blind to provide services for county residents living with legal blindness. CBA also receives funds from the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, and the United Way of Cattaraugus County, which supports the two programs.
“In 2022, CBA’s Blindness Prevention Coordinator, Priscilla Shoup, screened 4,387 children in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. In north Chautauqua County, 1,179 children at 26 locations were screened with a referral rate of 16% or 181 children. Those 181 children were referred for a comprehensive eye exam and possibly glasses. If their families cannot afford the exam and glasses the Dr. Tim Grace Sight for Success Fund will provide the funds needed to help our smallest citizens be successful. We are so grateful for our local eye care providers who give us a discounted price to be able to help these families out,” said Joni Blackman, CBA Vision Rehabilitation Services Executive Director. The NCCF Community grant will support the costs of the program and add to the Dr. Tim Grace Sight for Success Fund program.
To donate to CBA, the Youth Vision Screening program and/or the Dr. Tim Grace Sight for Success program, please visit CBA’s website at www.cbavision.org, email director@cbavision.org or call 716-664-6660.
