Carroll Center for the Blind

What Carroll Center for the Blind does

The Carroll Center for the Blind is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit vision rehabilitation organization founded in 1936 (originally as the Catholic Guild for All the Blind, renamed in 1972 to honor Father Thomas J. Carroll) and headquartered on a 5.5-acre campus in Newton, Massachusetts. It delivers comprehensive rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired individuals across four primary user segments — children and teens (ages 2-25), adults, seniors, and businesses/professionals — providing more than 3,500 services per year in orientation and mobility, assistive technology, daily living skills, employment readiness, low vision maximization, and braille literacy through 45+ certified vision rehabilitation professionals.

Its technology stack combines assistive-device training (JAWS, NVDA, Windows Narrator screen readers, ZoomText magnification, refreshable braille displays), proprietary training assets including the eCarroll distance-learning platform, the five-week Screen Reader User Tester Training (SRUTT) program, and the free Windows Screen Reader Primer authored in-house. The Carroll Store, founded and expanded to become the largest adaptive device retailer in the Northeast, sells and leases devices ranging from talking thermometers ($33) to desktop magnifiers ($180 outright, $25-$60/month lease).

Revenue is diversified across four streams: donations and philanthropy (including a $2,500+ Philanthropy Circle and a planned-giving White Cane Legacy Circle), government funding through State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and Workman's Compensation, hardware and leasing revenue from The Carroll Store, and program fees with scholarships that prevent any client from being turned away. Commercial customers include research organizations (Schepens Eye Research Institute, Goodman Research Group), corporate accessibility buyers (including a recurring health-services and energy-sector client base that hired Carroll graduates into roles at firms like Eversource and Whole Foods), and the New England College of Optometry, which operates an on-campus satellite low-vision clinic. Distribution is multi-modal: campus-based residential programs, an on-premises retail store, in-home services, the eCarroll remote platform, and the CarrollInterns/Carroll Alumni ecosystem.

Name

Carroll Center for the Blind

Legal name

The Carroll Center for the Blind

Website

https://carroll.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Carroll Center for the Blind is a Newton, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 1936, delivering vision rehabilitation services — including assistive technology, mobility, employment, and low-vision care — to blind and visually impaired children, adults, seniors, and businesses through a 5.5-acre residential campus and distance-learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers) (EDAFAKAD), Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Wheelchair, Seating, Mobility & Transfer Training In-Home (HSABADAO)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Blind and low vision support
• Orientation and mobility
• Adaptive device retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and major gifts. The organization runs a Philanthropy Circle of Independence (leadership giving at $2,500+ annually) and a White Cane Legacy Circle for planned giving.
2. Government Funding: State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and Workman's Compensation Insurance fund programs for eligible clients.
3. The Carroll Store (Retail): Retail store selling adaptive devices, low vision products, magnifiers, assistive technology, watches, braille products, and more. Also offers used and leased video magnifiers ($25-$60/month) and magnifier lease program.
4. Program Fees: Fees for various rehabilitation programs, training services, and professional development offerings. Scholarships available so they do not turn anyone away who cannot afford to pay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Carroll Center for the Blind provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages and all stages of vision loss. Core offerings include residential rehabilitation programs, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility training, low vision services, employment services, school-based education, summer youth programs, and a retail store for adaptive devices. It also delivers professional development training and research/user study services for businesses and international professionals.

Product overview

The Carroll Center for the Blind is a premier vision rehabilitation center offering a comprehensive suite of services rather than a traditional product company. Its offerings include The Carroll Store (retail adaptive products), Technology Training Programs (Workplace Computing, Basic Computing, Screen Reader User Tester Training, Meta Glasses Training), School-Based Education Services, Summer Youth Programs (Carroll Kids, Carroll Teens, Youth in Transition), Residential Rehabilitation Programs (Job Readiness, Vocational Transition), Employment Services (Job Market Preparation, VUE), Low Vision Services (therapy and optical devices), Orientation & Mobility Training, Research and User Study Services, and Professional Development programs. Educational resources include The Windows Screen Reader Primer book. Services span children, teens, adults, seniors, and professionals across all stages of vision loss.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Carroll Kids: Summer program for students in grades 4-8 focused on orientation and mobility, daily living, social skills, technology, and skill-building activities.
• Carroll Teens
• Youth in Transition
• Carroll Prep
• Workplace Computing
• Screen Reader User Tester Training (SRUTT)
• The Carroll Store
• SailBlind
• Carroll Interns
• International Training Program (ITP)
• Research and User Study Services

Products and services

• The Carroll Store

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides more than 3,500 services annually to people of all ages and all stages of vision loss
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PLAN of MA & RI (Planned Lifetime Assistance Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024PLAN of MA & RI has committed to a year-long partnership as a local sponsor for the 5th consecutive year. They support Carroll Center's mission through ongoing partnership and continued support.
• New England College of Optometry (NECO) Center for Eye CarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Clinic offering full spectrum of low vision care and rehabilitation provided by optometrists Nicole Ross and Micaela Gobeille. Patients seen locally at the Newton campus with access to latest adaptive technology at the Carroll Center. Optometrists specialize in low vision and deliver cutting-edge assistive and adaptive technologies along with comprehensive rehabilitative services.
• Schepens Eye Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gang Luo from Schepens Eye Research Institute utilized Carroll Center services for patient recruitment, study conduction, and technology development. Described Carroll Center as instrumental in research and development projects.
• Goodman Research GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorked with Carroll Center to recruit blind and visually impaired participants for accessibility testing of digital projects, including NASA-funded projects. Described as seamless, helpful, efficient, professional, and friendly.
• Massachusetts Commission for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Carroll Society Awards program recognizing outstanding professionals who are blind or visually impaired. Collaborates on vision rehabilitation services and client referrals.
• DeloitteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer group that visited Carroll Center campus and donated their time through various volunteer opportunities.
• Liberty MutualminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer group that visited Carroll Center campus and donated their time through various volunteer opportunities.
• Point32HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer group that visited Carroll Center campus and donated their time through various volunteer opportunities.
• Work, Community, Independence Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeaf Employment Day Program partner that visited Carroll Center campus for volunteer activities.
• Alkeus PharmaceuticalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCambridge-based biopharmaceutical company that sponsored the first Stargardt's Summit hosted by Carroll Center in the United States, in partnership with Foundation Fighting Blindness, Prevent Blindness, and The Blind Life.
• Foundation Fighting Blindness, Prevent Blindness, The Blind LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organizations in hosting the first Stargardt's Summit in the United States at the Carroll Center, bringing together patients, medical professionals and assistive technology experts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lighthouse Guild: NYC-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, technology training, and behavioral health services for the visually impaired. Closest comparable to Carroll in service breadth (rehab, AT training, low vision clinic, employment support) and nonprofit revenue model.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Watertown, MA nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired individuals across the lifespan with education, rehabilitation, and international programs. Direct geographic and service-model peer with comparable residential programs and AT training.
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit advancing independence and inclusion for people with vision loss through research, advocacy, professional development, and the AFB Center on Vision Loss. Comparable in mission scope and vision-rehabilitation professional development focus.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National membership and advocacy organization for the blind, operating the NFB Jernigan Institute for training, research, and innovation. Comparable mission, training programs, and AT focus (screen readers, Braille).
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Louisville-based nonprofit producing accessible educational materials, Braille products, and assistive technology. Comparable in serving blind/visually impaired populations through products and accessible learning resources.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Winnetka, IL nonprofit providing distance-learning education and support for people with vision loss. Closest direct peer to Carroll's eCarroll and SRUTT programs in remote instruction model.
• Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI): Atlanta-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and youth services. Comparable service mix to Carroll across children, adults, and seniors with vision loss.

Regional players

• Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Palo Alto, CA nonprofit providing rehabilitation, technology training, and low vision services for the Bay Area. Same service model as Carroll but different geography, limiting direct overlap.
• Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Seattle-based nonprofit manufacturing products and providing rehabilitation, employment, and training services for people who are blind. Similar mission and revenue mix (products + services + philanthropy).

Others

• New England College of Optometry (NECO) Center for Eye Care: Operates a satellite low vision clinic on Carroll's campus. Strategic partner rather than competitor, but illustrative of comparable low-vision clinical service delivery models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CarrollCenter4Blind
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarrollCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carroll-center-for-the-blind
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecarrollcenter
• Xx.com/CarrollCenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Carroll Center for the Blind