BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

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.

09/02/2026

Watching videos has become an important way for many adults to learn about new things. It engages multiple senses and improves retention. These are a few of the reasons we are increasing our video presence on YouTube as well as on our website. We want to ensure that our information is easily accessible and understandable to those who need it.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing blindness or low vision and finds it challenging to perform daily activities that were once not an issue, Dr. Denise Wilcox, OD, PhD, and Dr. Erin Kramer, OTD, CLVT, are committed to maximizing your remaining vision and helping you maintain your independence.

To help gain a better understanding of our state-of-the-art Low Vision Clinic services and how BCABVI can help, we have created two new informational videos:

Dr. Denise Wilcox, OD, PhD who answers common questions, including:

Why does a patient come for a low vision evaluation?

When is a person visually impaired and why do they seek out our
services?

Dr. Erin Kramer, OTD, CLVT who highlights assistive technology and low vision therapy training services we provide in-house as well as in people’s homes.

Please view the videos below and share them with anyone you know in Bucks County, PA who you believe can benefit from our low vision services.

Dr. Wilcox: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CAzjB8fVDPM

Dr. Kramer: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2MVtHxRE-6k

Dr. Denise Wilcox, OD, PhD, discusses BCABVI Low Vision Clinic serv...

08/26/2026

We had an amazing time with our clients yesterday at our in-person Annual Picnic! The theme was "Name That Tune: 80s Edition," and we were impressed by our clients’ knowledge of the tunes. There were three music rounds, each increasing in difficulty, and our clients aced them all! It was wonderful to see everyone interacting, discussing the songs, and having a good time. After the game, our clients enjoyed a delicious BBQ-style lunch together. It's always great when staff and clients come together like this.

During the event, the BCABVI Lions Club announced the winners of their raffle that helped raise money for organizations including BCABVI. Congratulations to all the winners:

John A. - Cash prize
Meg G. (On behalf of Ken) - Gift Cards
Cathy Q. - BBQ Basket
Barbara N. - Coffee Basket
Darlene M. - Game Basket

Thanks to everyone who came out to help make this a fun, engaging event!

For more information about our in-person events, please call us at 215.968.9400.

*Note: We’d like to make a correction to last week's Blink on our client Richard. He was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes.

08/19/2026

Richard may be in his 20s, but he is no stranger to vision loss. Shortly after he was born, he was diagnosed with congenital cataracts in both of his eyes. As a child, he developed glaucoma in his eyes. After having various surgeries and procedures to address his eye issues over the years, he’s already had a long journey with vision loss.

Being blind in one eye and having low vision in the other eye, Richard knows what it’s like to experience vision loss and wants to help others. He’s starting graduate school at Drexel University's Elkins Park Campus (formerly Salus University). With the 2-year program, Richard will earn his MS and become a Certified Low Vision Therapist.

“My goal is to share my life experiences and knowledge to help others who are on the same journey. I know how it feels. I want to help them modify their homes and their lives using assistive technology and other tools in a hospital or clinical setting.”

Recently Richard returned to BCABVI for assistive technology and device training, which included Metaglasses, the Optero XL video magnifier, a monocular, and fit-over sunglasses. These are not only useful aids for Richard, but he feels they will help prepare him to train others. Reflecting on his experience with BCABVI, Richard said: “It feels nice to be seen and in a community that understands me.”

For more information about Richard’s journey, please see his video short below and share: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5woPuYehUQ4.

For more information about low vision home modifications and assistive technology training we provide, please visit our website at: bucksblind.org or call us at 215.968.9400.

08/12/2026

Second Look Has A Summer Intern!

Through BCABVI’s partnership with the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop has a paid summer intern! Tristan is helping organize the shop and provide help where needed.

“Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop is an essential part of our organization. We’re glad to be able to use the shop to help young people gain work experience. We hope to continue this program in the future.” Anne Marie Hyer, BCABVI Executive Director

OVR is providing funding for this program. They work with Equalworks, a nonprofit organization in Bucks County, PA that helps place people 18 and older with disabilities in inclusive work environments and meaningful employment.

Tristan will be working at the shop until he starts school in the Fall. His job and life coach is Jordan. As a Community Support Specialist for Equalworks, he mentors and provides essential support to adults in the program. Jordan’s work at Equalworks is meaningful. “This job means everything to me. I like helping people.”

For more information about OVR, please visit:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/disability-and-vocational-rehabilitation/vocational-rehabilitation
For more information about Equalworks and the services they provide, please visit:
https://equalworks.org/offerings

08/05/2026

We’re Launching Our 2026-2027 Preschool Vision Screening Program!

Last week, Erin McCormack and Lauren Young, our preschool vision screeners, met with Anne Marie Hyer, Executive Director of BCABVI, to discuss program plans for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.

As many children go back to school in August, Prevent Blindness has designated this month as “Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month” to “educate parents, caregivers, professionals, and policymakers on the important role that vision and eye health play in a child’s development, learning ability, and social engagement.” Retrieved from https://preventblindness.org/2024-childrens-vision-month.

At BCABVI, we understand the importance of vision screenings for our youngest residents. Through our partnerships with preschools, United Way, and The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), our preschool vision screeners conduct over 5,000 vision screenings during the academic school year. They use the portable Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener that quickly and safely detects various eye issues, including amblyopia (lazy eye), myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, and more. If any vision issues are detected during the screening, we refer the child for a follow-up eye examination. We also connect children ages 2-6 to vision insurance benefits at no cost to eligible families.

For more information about BCABVI’s preschool vision screening program or to request a brochure, please contact us at 215-968-9400. To view our newly updated Family Resource Guide, please click here.

07/29/2026

It was wonderful to see our clients yesterday at our annual summer movie day! These gatherings create a positive atmosphere where clients can catch up, share camaraderie, and have fun in a safe, welcoming environment.

A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into ensuring our clients enjoy a fully accessible experience:

Assistance with client pickup and es**rt from/to home/CCT transport
Maintaining clear and wide building pathways
Providing sufficient lighting
Ensuring ample space for clients to navigate
Providing accessible restrooms
Offering accessible meals

July is Disability Pride Month, which honors and celebrates the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was established in 1990 to:
“advance the nation's goal of equal opportunity, integration, full participation, inclusion, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities through enforcement, regulation, and technical assistance.” ​

We are committed to the principles of this act, and BCABVI’s facility is ADA compliant. We believe it’s vital for our clients to engage in activities outside their homes and to have experiences comparable to people without disabilities.

More places in Bucks County are incorporating procedures and accessible features for their buildings. For more information about accessible activities, dining, and accommodations in Bucks County, visit the Accessible Bucks County webpage at: https://www.visitbuckscounty.com/plan-your-visit/accessible-bucks-county.

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

Today, BCABVI & Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop staff & volunteers came together to celebrate our 2025-2026 fiscal year-end.

Anne Marie Hyer, our Executive Director, shared our organization’s many accomplishments over the past fiscal year and outlined future goals and opportunities. Some achievements for 2025-2026 include an increase in essential services provided to our clients through our Low Vision Clinic, as well as a boost in the volume of our Transportation/Escort services. Additionally, we had another successful year at our Second Look Newtown Thrift Shop.

One of the highlights of the luncheon was hearing our clients talk about the impact we’ve made on their lives through the various services and programs we offer. You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxZb6jiVh-c

A heartfelt thank you to our staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners for your dedication to our organization’s mission—a special thank you to our donors for your commitment to the blind and visually impaired. Your contributions are helping people in your community and beyond to thrive and lead rich, vibrant, and independent lives.

Thank you once again, everyone. We look forward to having you as part of our ongoing journey to improve the lives of our clients.

Please subscribe to your YouTube channel to be automatically notified of our videos. Enjoy our BCABVI Annual Video: Client Impact Stories, and please share it with family and friends.

Our Annual Video is now available! Watch how we help change the liv...

07/15/2026

Staying Connected In The Digital Age

The world has fundamentally changed over the years as we have transitioned into a digital age. We have become increasingly dependent on technology for tasks that we once performed via phone, in person, through the mail, or on paper. While younger generations have grown up in this digital age, older generations have learned to adapt to these technologies over time.

But what happens when someone who has used a device for years suddenly can’t because of vision loss? For many, a computer is an important connection to the outside world. It serves as a tool for learning, socializing, staying in touch with family and friends, and managing finances. Since COVID-19, more people also use computers for remote work.

At BCABVI, our Certified Low Vision Therapists provide training in clients' homes on how to use accessible tools and programs for their computers, including screen readers (like JAWS) and magnifiers. They assist with increasing font size, adjusting contrast, and much more to help our clients stay connected.

If you or a loved one is facing challenges using a computer or any digital device (smartphones, tablets, etc.) due to low vision issues, please call us at 215.968.9400 or visit bucksblind.org.