Metrolina Association For The Blind

Metrolina Association for the Blind, Inc. (MAB) has been providing services and empowering people who are blind or visually impaired since 1934. Our mission is to reduce, prevent, or eliminate the daily challenges experienced by people living with blindness or visual impairment, and to facilitate the personal growth and development of such individuals.

History

In 1934, with the assistance of the American Foundation for the Blind and Charlotte, NC area residents including the Charlotte Lions Club, the Mecklenburg County Association for the Blind was formed. The name later changed to Metrolina Association for the Blind, Inc. in 1977. The original mission of "serving the visually impaired" was established at that time, and in 2016 became "to reduce or eliminate the daily living challenges imposed upon people by blindness or visual impairment." MAB became a member of the Charlotte Community Chest (later United Way of the Central Carolinas) in 1937. The agency moved to its current location in 1967. Services to the visually impaired increased during those years, culminating in the formation of the Personal Adjustment and Rehabilitation Services department in 1978 (renamed Vision Rehabilitation Services in 2016).

Services

The two main areas of service provided by Metrolina Association for the Blind, Inc. are Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and Accessible Document Services. Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) offers a variety of services that help people who are blind or visually impaired improve their quality of life and become more independent. This includes Case Management, Low Vision Optometry, Low Vision Therapy, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Accessible Document Services provides document transcription in Braille, Large print, Audio CD, and Accessible PDF for corporate America.