Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Vision Rehabilitation Servicesvabvi.org

VABVI is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 that delivers free, statewide vision-rehabilitation, assistive-technology, orientation-and-mobility, and education services to roughly 2,000 blind and visually impaired residents annually from birth to end of life, funded by donations, grants, and state and federal support.

Company typePrivate
Founded1926
HeadquartersSouth Burlington, United States
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired does

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 and headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont. It is the only private nonprofit in the state providing comprehensive vision-loss services free of charge to clients from birth through end of life, delivering an integrated program model rather than discrete products. Service lines for adults include vision rehabilitation therapy (CVRT and CLVT), assistive-technology training (CCTV/video magnification, telescopic devices, signature guides, smart-device training), orientation and mobility instruction, Braille services, the Peer Assisted Learning and Support (PALS) groups, and a statewide volunteer-driver transportation program. For children and youth, VABVI delivers the Expanded Core Curriculum, the LEAP employment-readiness program, the HAPI teen independence program, a transition program co-run with the state Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the IRLE summer camps, with itinerant TVI/COMS support extending into infant and toddler early intervention. Four physical offices (South Burlington, Berlin, Brattleboro, Rutland), 81 volunteer drivers, and a referral-driven intake process coordinate delivery across all 14 Vermont counties. The business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than fee-for-service: state and federal funding covers transportation and program work, with the balance from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. Reported cost economics are 91 cents on the dollar to client services, and the client base has grown 65% over the last 12 years to roughly 2,000 annually. A leadership transition is underway, with Dan Norris (M.Ed., CVRT, COMS) named incoming Executive Director succeeding Steve Pouliot, and the organization has piloted the Functional Independent Living Assessment (FILA) tool with OIB-TAC at Mississippi State to formalize outcomes measurement.

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Legal name: Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Website: https://vabvi.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1926
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: VABVI is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 that delivers free, statewide vision-rehabilitation, assistive-technology, orientation-and-mobility, and education services to roughly 2,000 blind and visually impaired residents annually from birth to end of life, funded by donations, grants, and state and federal support.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired industry classification

Industry

Product category: Vision Rehabilitation Services
NAICS: Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)
SIC: Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
akta.pro primary industry: Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)
akta.pro secondary industries: Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services (EDACAFAN), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)

Keywords

Vision rehabilitation services
Assistive technology training
Orientation and mobility
Braille instruction services
Early intervention programs

Where Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: South Burlington
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

Donations and Fundraising: VABVI relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and community partners. The organization hosts fundraising events and maintains corporate partnership programs. Donations are the primary funding source enabling free services to clients.
Government Grants and Funding: VABVI receives state and federal funding, including dollars that support transportation programs. Services are provided without charge to clients, with funding coming from government sources and private donations.
Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partnership program allows businesses to sponsor VABVI at various levels, providing brand exposure and community engagement in exchange for financial support.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Monthly	All services provided at no cost to clients

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired product offering

Product offering

Core offering

VABVI delivers free, statewide vision rehabilitation and support services to blind and visually impaired Vermonters from birth to end of life. Core offerings include vision rehabilitation therapy (CVRT/CLVT), assistive technology training, orientation and mobility instruction, Braille services, peer support groups (PALS), early intervention for infants and toddlers, Expanded Core Curriculum education for children, LEAP and HAPI youth transition programs, and a volunteer transportation network. All services are provided at no cost to clients and funded through donations, grants, and state and federal funding.

Product overview

VABVI offers a comprehensive suite of vision rehabilitation and support services delivered as an integrated program model rather than a single product. The core offerings include Vision Rehabilitation (CVRT/CLVT services), Assistive Technology training, and Peer Assisted Learning & Support (PALS) groups for adults. For children and youth, services include the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) education program, LEAP Program (employment readiness), HAPI Program (teen independence skills), Transition Program for Teens, and Intensive Residential Life Experiences (IRLE) summer camp. Additional services span infant/toddler early intervention, Braille instruction, orientation and mobility training, volunteer driver transportation, and adult workshops. All rehabilitation training is provided free of charge to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Vision Rehabilitation
Assistive Technology Training
Peer Assisted Learning and Support (PALS) Program
Volunteer Driver Transportation Program
Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Instruction
LEAP Program (Learn, Earn, and Prosper)
HAPI Program (Helping Adolescents Prepare for Independence)
Transition Program for Teens
Intensive Residential Life Experiences (IRLE) Summer Camp
Infant and Toddler Services
Braille Instruction Services
Orientation and Mobility Training

Quantifiable outcome

91 cents of every dollar goes directly to client services
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

ReSOURCE (Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVABVI partners with ReSOURCE/DBVI for the LEAP (Learn, Earn, & Prosper) program which provides blind and visually impaired youth with virtual and in-person programming for skills development, employment preparation, and peer connection. ReSOURCE contact: 802-885-9133.
DBVI (Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBVI coordinates the Transition Program for teens, addressing employment, post-secondary education, independent living, community integration, self-assessment, and job skills development. Contact: 802-885-9133 or www.DBVI.vermont.gov.
OIB-TAC (Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVABVI collaborated with OIB-TAC based at Mississippi State University to pilot the new Functional Independent Living Assessment (FILA) tool for measuring client outcomes.
Community Corporate PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious corporate partners including businesses listed with logos on VABVI's donate page. Partners support through donations, sponsorships, and cause marketing. Benefits include brand exposure to VABVI's audience.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI): Rochester, NY-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, employment, and accessibility services. Closely comparable to VABVI in mission, service mix (vision rehab, assistive tech, employment services), and nonprofit model serving a regional geography.
Lighthouse Guild: NYC-based nonprofit combining vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and disability services. Comparable to VABVI as a comprehensive vision services nonprofit offering rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment-related programming.
Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. Closely matches VABVI's integrated service-delivery model across rehabilitation, technology training, and employment.
Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, employment, children's services, and assistive technology. Directly comparable to VABVI across both adult and pediatric programming, including transition and employment services.
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: National nonprofit providing distance-education and rehabilitation services for blind/visually impaired adults. Comparable to VABVI's adult vision rehabilitation, Braille, and adaptive living offerings, with a broader geographic reach and education-focused model.
Perkins School for the Blind: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving children and adults who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired, including rehabilitation, education, and international programs. Comparable to VABVI especially in the children's/youth Expanded Core Curriculum and transition service areas.

Regional players

SightConnection (Seattle): Pacific Northwest nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low-vision clinics, and adaptive equipment services. Comparable service model to VABVI but operates in a different geography (Washington State).

Broad incumbents

National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National membership and advocacy organization for blind Americans. Overlaps with VABVI's mission around independence, employment, and rehabilitation but operates at a national advocacy scale rather than as a regional direct-service provider.
American Council of the Blind (ACB): National consumer advocacy organization for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable in mission space to VABVI but functions as an advocacy and information hub rather than direct rehabilitation provider.

Emerging players

Foundation Fighting Blindness: National nonprofit driving research and treatments for retinal degenerative diseases. Adjacent to VABVI's mission; differs in that it funds research rather than providing direct rehabilitation services, but shares the broader blindness-services ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance1 record

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

What does Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired do?

Is Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired a public or private company?

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired founded?

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded in 1926. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired based?

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is headquartered in South Burlington, United States, in the North America region.

How does Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Funding and corporate Partnerships.

Who are Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), Lighthouse Guild, Chicago Lighthouse, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh, Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Perkins School for the Blind. SightConnection (Seattle) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB). Foundation Fighting Blindness is listed as an emerging player.

Does Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired have an API?

No public API is recorded for Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

What industry is Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in?

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAI, Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs, with a secondary code of EDACAFAN, Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.