Dear Members of the ASB Community:
We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.
As the Philadelphia area awaits further updates about Governor Wolf’s reopening plan in Pennsylvania, at Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we are carefully thinking through all of the factors that would need to be in place before we consider a reopening plan for our in-person services. Our top priority, always, is ensuring that our participants and staff stay safe and healthy. Many of the people we serve have a variety of chronic health issues, and many are senior citizens. Given the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, ASB’s physical location on Walnut Street will remain closed, and we will continue to provide education, training, and support digitally and by phone for the foreseeable future.
No matter the way in which we connect and serve you, our objective remains the same: to provide education, training, and resources to help individuals with visual impairment to gain independence and improved quality of life. Even though our timeline to return to in-person services is indefinite, we are here to support you.
So many of you have been connecting with our virtual resources, support, and training programs throughout this challenging time, and we encourage you to continue to check in during Office Hours and Virtual Training sessions, and check out our online our Stay-At-Home Resources and Support page as it is continually updated with new content and activities. Here is a list of ways to stay connected now:
- NEW: Our Stay-At-Home Resources and Support page, featuring activities, games, educational resources, and links to important City of Philadelphia resources
- NEW: Weekly “Office Hours” with Lynn Heitz, Director of Education and Enrichment Programs
- Tuesdays 11-12 p.m. and Thursdays 3-4 p.m.
- Dial-in number: 605-475-6006
- Access code: 849659
- NEW: Virtual Training
- Many of our classes are available for registration on a rolling basis. If you are interested in joining, please call into the Office Hours line to sign up.
- COMING UP: Instructive video training
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS & CASE MANAGERS: If you have patients who are blind or visually impaired and would benefit from support and training, you can refer them to ASB now. Our intake process remains the same. Click here for details.
As always, if you need support or have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. Please call 215-821-6151, and you will be directed to the appropriate person. We will continue to update you here on our website, and on ASB’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. We look forward to continuing to adapt our programming to best suit your needs now.
Thinking of you all!
Karla S. McCaney, President & CEO