Dear Members of the ASB Community:
To say that the last several months have been challenging is putting it mildly, but as a community, you have remained connected and engaged with our staff and each other through ASB’s online and by-phone training sessions and other programs. We are so pleased to have been able to continue these important offerings in support of Philadelphia’s low-vision and blind community throughout this time.
Now, the events of the last week have reemphasized another important dimension for all of us. They reflect how helpless so many feel about the same narratives of discrimination playing out time and again and how desperately people are rightly seeking change toward a more just and inclusive world. We hope that the collective approach to change can be productive, peaceful, meaningful, and ongoing so that equity and inclusion become a given for all.
If you are seeking resources to find support, especially now, here are some to consider:
Philly 311: (dial 311 or 215-686-8686)
Department of Human Services Statewide Support & Referral Helpline: (1-855-284-2494; for TTY, dial 724-631-5600)
City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health: For uninsured the number is 215-685-5400 and for Medicaid eligible the number is 888-545-2600.
City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM): To receive text alerts to your phone text ReadyPhila to 888-777
As we’ve shared previously, we do anticipate continuing our services for you, virtually and by phone, for the foreseeable future, even if the City of Philadelphia begins to lift stay-at-home restrictions. This will be important to minimize risk and help mitigate any resurgence of the virus among our community. Many of the people we serve, as well as some staff members, manage a variety of chronic health issues, and many are senior citizens. The last thing we would want to do is contribute to the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by opening our physical location too soon.
Please keep us apprised about how you are doing. We will get through this time together and always with a commitment to each other and our collective safety and wellbeing as one, inclusive ASB community.