Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are a few of the conditions that affect vision. In some instances, the vision lost due to these conditions cannot be restored.
Lions clubs support the blind and visually impaired in many ways, including:
Since 2003, the Hadley School for the Blind and Lions Clubs International have been in partnership. The Lions' role is to direct people who would benefit from Hadley's distance education to enroll in free courses offered by Hadley. It is an accredited international learning center that serves more than 10,000 students in 100 countries. Hadley provides free distance education for:
Hadley students may access the Hadley-Bookshare library, which brings over 39,000 electronic books and 150 daily newspapers to the fingertips (and ears) of blind people everywhere. Hadley students in the US may join Hadley-Bookshare for free; Hadley students outside the US may join for a discounted rate.
In the US, Hadley offers a High School Program that allows the student to:
Lions referring a student who enrolls in the Hadley courses may receive the "Lions-in-Touch" award pin from the president of The Hadley School. For more information, contact us.
Blindness-related organizations often establish educational scholarships for blind and visualy impaired students. When asked, community Lions clubs often provide scholarship assistance for local students who are blind or visually impaired. To locate contact information for a club, visit "Find a Club" on this Web site, or search the Web. Most clubs are named for the communitiy in which they serve.
Lions may provide assistance for the purchase of computers that aid the blind and visually impaired. Computer skills can provide the blind and visually impaired with opportunities for employment.
In cooperation with local authorities, Lions clubs often help improve public access for the blind and visually impaired. Among these improvements are: smooth sidewalks, sidewalks that slope at the curbs for wheelchair accessibility, audible (beep) traffic signals and braille marked walking trails. Lions may also be involved in establishing transportation services in communities where accessible transportation does not exist.
Governments, non-profit organizations and religious groups are among the agencies that advocate for the visually impaired. Lions clubs often donate funds, as well as their time, to associations for the blind and visually impaired. Among the services offered are: counseling, education, low vision programs and equipment, medical services, recreation and rehabilitation.
Hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities and senior centers often organize self-help groups for people with visual impairments or their family members. Lions often volunteer their time to help organize and provide continued support for self-help groups.
Many Lions clubs provide funding for medical research conducted at local universities, hospitals and private facilities. Some Lions clubs or districts provide ongoing support for medical research through the sponsorship of eye research fellowships.
For more information, contact the Health and Children's Services Department.
