Joplin Association for the Blind

Services include:

• Low Vision Enhancement Center: The Low Vision Enhancement Center is our largest and fastest growing service.  The Low Vision Enhancement is not a clinical setting, but an evaluation and resource center.  As the number of individuals with low vision has grown, more low vision services are necessary to allow our clients to continue with the quality of life they merit.  We have an eye doctor that volunteers his time to provide the evaluations, along with a highly trained staff that assists the eye doctor.  Referrals come from ophthalmologists or optometrists in the regional area, and through other service agencies or hospitals.  No client is turned away from receiving services.  The Low Vision Center serves children and adult clients.
• Letha Dangerfield Children’s Braille lending library: Volunteer workers assist with maintaining the library. The library consists of books and educational materials in Braille and for children, adults and their families.
• Joplin Service Club of the Blind: The JAB facility also serves as a meeting place for the Joplin Service Club of the Blind. The Service Club has an average of 60 members and meets each Tuesday at the facility for lunch. Throughout the year the club attends various social activities, such as Camp and Missouri council of the Blind Convention. The number of members has increased with the addition of the Low Vision Center.
• JAB Support Groups: Adult  Support Groups have members who are visually impaired, and family members who rotate as their differing needs are met. The group meets monthly at the JAB facility for educational meetings and activities. The Support Group provides educational assistance to the blind and visually impaired in the area. This group is assisted by Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.
• Transportation: Without transportation being provided, the majority of clients traveling to the Joplin Association for the Blind for needed services would find it to be cost prohibitive. Two mini busses and a van, operated by volunteer drivers, are available to help our clients attend activities and programs sponsored by JAB.
• Referral Service: Early on the Joplin Association for the Blind established its role to provide more information for families and the community regarding blindness or low vision questions. JAB and the Low Vision Enhancement Center works closely with other agencies and eye care doctors in the community to provide quality referral services. Ongoing assistance is given to family members of our clients. Questions are answered in the community regarding services and assistance, and awareness to the needs of individuals with low vision or blindness through presentations given to other service agencies, organizations and clubs, to explain programs offered by the Joplin Association for the Blind and Low Vision Center as well as the services available through state rehabilitation centers, Prevention of Blindness, Wolfner Library, Lions Club, and area schools.