The Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ASB) is a private non-profit organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which promotes self-esteem, independence, and self-determination in people who are blind or visually impaired. It provides education and training resources, community action and public education, serving as a voice and advocate for the rights of the blind or visually impaired.
Since 1975, the agency has been located in the Robert Morris Building at 919 Walnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia, along with the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
On November 30, 1983, three agencies – the Information Center for the Blind, the Nevil Institute for Rehabilitation and Service and Volunteer Services for the Blind – merged to form Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. A lineage that began in 1874 with the Pennsylvania Working Home for Blind Men is today the largest non-profit organization in southeastern Pennsylvania serving the blind and visually impaired.
ASB provides a wide range of services:
Rehabilitation: Certified teachers instruct program participants in meal preparation, reading and writing braille, keyboard skills, labeling and selecting clothes, and using specially adapted equipment. Specialists teach safe and effective travel techniques with the aid of a cane and hand-held telescopes. Clients learn to orient themselves to the community and use public transportation, for increased independence.
Computer Technology Center: During one-on-one training, clients use computers equipped with speech and screen enlargements programs. Students learn how to scan documents, work using word processing and spreadsheets, database applications, and access the internet.
Specialized services: The Specialized Services Team offers eighteen support groups such as Life Skills, Assertiveness Training, Men’s and Women’s Groups, a Multi-lingual Support Group, shopping services, and recreational activities. Many of the classes are offered in English and Spanish.
Braille: Since 1929, ASB has been providing quality braille in an effort to support independence and self-determination. As one of the four largest brailling houses in the United States, the Braille Division produces many types of printed materials such as: books, magazines, textbooks, brochures, manuals, newsletters, insurance forms, job-related materials, bank statements, and utility bills.
Radio Information Center for the Blind: RICB is a 24-hour radio reading service broadcast throughout the Delaware Valley. The center broadcasts on topics ranging from news, weather, and sports, to problems and treatments, and much more. In addition, listeners can hear books, magazines television listings, and favorite columnists.
Philadelphia Lighthouse of the Blind: The Philadelphia Lighthouse of the Blind was founded in 1945 to provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities for blind and visually impaired people. Through this program, ASB provides limited funding to blind and visually impaired Philadelphians to fulfill specific personal needs, such as acquiring adaptive aids, or offsetting the costs associated with certain recreational activities.
