Second Sense
Second Sense is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 that provides free vision rehabilitation services to adults with vision loss across the Chicago area, delivering individualized training in assistive technology, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, and peer support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Second Sense does
Second Sense is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in downtown Chicago (1 N LaSalle St, Suite 3300), delivering free vision rehabilitation services to adults with vision loss across the Chicago metropolitan area. The organization operates with a small staff of approximately 7-8 professionals, including Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), supported by 35+ volunteers contributing over 1,800 hours annually. Its core service portfolio spans four domains: technology training (instruction on assistive software such as JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText Fusion, and Apple VoiceOver, plus smartphones, smart speakers, and computers); orientation and mobility (white cane techniques, street crossings, public transit navigation); independent living skills (cooking, money management, braille, labeling); and peer support groups (RP Meet Up, Apple Exchange, Men's Support Group). Additional offerings include the Transitions program for high school students preparing for college, community-based workshops delivered at 50+ partner organizations across Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties, an open computer lab, and a retail Product Center selling adaptive aids.
Underlying technical infrastructure is built on widely-deployed commercial assistive technologies rather than proprietary systems; Second Sense's "technology" is fundamentally its certified human clinical expertise delivered through individualized and group instruction. The organization distributes services through five channels: direct training at its Chicago office, in-home training (especially for seniors), community-based workshops at partner sites, traditional and interest-based support groups (in-person and via conference call), and phone/online consultations including the Vision Exchange online network for support group leaders.
The business model is donation-funded: all services are provided free of charge to clients, with no referral required. Revenue is sourced from individual contributions (the largest stream), bequests and planned giving, government grants (federal, state, local), and corporate/foundation donations including event sponsorships for the annual Passionate Focus art exhibit and auction. A securities-donation program and gift-of-securities channel support high-net-worth giving. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and operates as a standalone nonprofit with no parent company or subsidiaries.
Second Sense firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Second Sense
- Legal name
- Second Sense
- Website
- https://second-sense.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Second Sense is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 that provides free vision rehabilitation services to adults with vision loss across the Chicago area, delivering individualized training in assistive technology, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, and peer support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Second Sense industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD), Assistive Technology, Adaptive Equipment & Home Exercise Program Training In-Home (HSABADAN)
Keywords
Where Second Sense is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Second Sense business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Grants: Government grants from federal, state, and local sources supporting vision rehabilitation services
- Corporate and Foundation Donations: Support from corporations and foundations including event sponsors for Passionate Focus annual fundraiser
- Individual Contributions: Direct donations from individuals, the largest portion of revenue, enabling direct empowerment of adults with vision loss
- Bequests and Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through wills, Pay on Death, Transfer on Death, charitable remainder trusts, and life insurance designations
- Securities Donations: Donations of securities through brokerage account for DTC transfers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | All programs and services are provided free of charge to clients with vision loss |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Second Sense product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Second Sense delivers free, client-centered vision rehabilitation training to adults with vision loss in the Chicago area, covering assistive technology use, orientation and mobility with a white cane, independent living skills, peer support groups, and a Transitions program for high school students preparing for college. It also operates a small Product Center that sells daily living aids and hosts an annual Passionate Focus fundraiser featuring artwork by artists with vision loss.
Product overview
Second Sense is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) providing free vision rehabilitation training services for adults with vision loss in the Chicago area. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of programs including Technology Solutions and Training (individual training on smartphones, tablets, computers, and assistive technology like JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText Fusion, and VoiceOver), Orientation and Mobility Training (white cane techniques, human guide, street crossings, public transit), Independent Living Skills (cooking, braille, labeling, daily tasks), and Support Groups (RP Meet Up, Apple Exchange, Men's Support Group). Additional services include a Product Center selling daily living aids (magnifiers, bump dots, white canes, writing guides), Community-Based Workshops, an Open Computer Lab with adaptive technology, Technology Tutors, and the Tech Exchange online community. The organization publishes two newsletters (Perspectives and Making Sense), runs an annual Passionate Focus fundraising event, and offers a Transitions Program for high school students preparing for college. All training and services are provided at no cost to clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Technology Solutions and Training
Quantifiable outcome
- 132 adults learned to use technology to enhance daily lives; clients achieved 85% of their training goals
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Second Sense
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Second Sense technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Second Sense partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- BooksharecoreSecond Sense has partnered with Bookshare to offer Second Sense clients who are actively receiving training access to their large library of eBooks. Through this partnership, Second Sense can help clients sign up for Bookshare, submit proof of disability, and show them how to use the service. Books are available in audio, large text, and braille formats.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Second Sense competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, training, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable in offering independent living skills, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology training in a Midwestern urban market.
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Nonprofit providing guide dog training and orientation/mobility instruction to people with vision loss. Comparable in mobility training expertise (Second Sense staff previously worked there), with a regional service footprint on the West Coast.
- Vision Forward Association: Milwaukee-based nonprofit serving children and adults with vision loss through rehabilitation, assistive technology, and low vision services. Closely comparable program portfolio, including individual training, support groups, and adaptive equipment.
- Lighthouse Guild: New York-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and support services for people with vision loss. Comparable as a direct peer offering CVRT-led training programs, orientation and mobility, and adaptive technology services, though with a national scope and significantly larger resources.
- The Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, employment services, assistive technology, and a retail store for people who are blind or visually impaired. The closest geographic peer with overlapping programs and a shared service territory in Chicago.
- Hadley: Illinois-based nonprofit providing free distance-learning programs on assistive technology, independent living, and adjustment to vision loss. Comparable client population and curriculum, but differentiated by a fully remote/digital delivery model that Second Sense could emulate for scale.
- Vision Loss Resources: Minneapolis-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, independent living skills training, assistive technology, and support groups to adults with vision loss. Directly comparable service mix with Second Sense, including certified vision rehabilitation therapists and a community-based workshop model.
Others
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: National nonprofit funding retinal disease research and providing educational resources. Comparable target population (visually impaired adults) but operates as a research funder rather than direct service provider, making it adjacent rather than competitive.
Broad incumbents
- American Foundation for the Blind: National nonprofit focused on expanding possibilities for people with vision loss through advocacy, research, and resources. Comparable mission but operates at a national/policy scale rather than as a regional direct-service provider.
- National Federation of the Blind: National membership and advocacy organization for blind Americans, offering some training programs and resources. Comparable mission but primarily an advocacy/membership body rather than a regional clinical service provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Second Sense social profiles
Digital presenceSecond Sense financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Second Sense leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Second Sense funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Second Sense M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Second Sense
What does Second Sense do?
Second Sense delivers free, client-centered vision rehabilitation training to adults with vision loss in the Chicago area, covering assistive technology use, orientation and mobility with a white cane, independent living skills, peer support groups, and a Transitions program for high school students preparing for college. It also operates a small Product Center that sells daily living aids and hosts an annual Passionate Focus fundraiser featuring artwork by artists with vision loss.
Is Second Sense a public or private company?
Second Sense is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Second Sense founded?
Second Sense was founded in 1947. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Second Sense based?
Second Sense is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Second Sense make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Foundation Donations, individual Contributions, bequests and Planned Giving and securities Donations.
Who are Second Sense's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bosma Enterprises, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Vision Forward Association, Lighthouse Guild, The Chicago Lighthouse, Hadley and Vision Loss Resources. Foundation Fighting Blindness is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are American Foundation for the Blind and National Federation of the Blind.
Does Second Sense have an API?
No public API is recorded for Second Sense.
What industry is Second Sense in?
Second Sense's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of EDAKAIAF, Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8093.