What Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired does

Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1911 and headquartered at 2045 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. It delivers a vertically integrated portfolio of (a) direct vision services — assistive technology training, low vision evaluations, orientation and mobility training, early childhood services, and rehabilitation therapy — to 4,529 clients annually across an 11-county Ohio and Kentucky service area, and (b) audio information services, including 24/7 Radio Reading broadcasting, Talking Books in partnership with the National Library Service, podcasts, and phone-based Personalized Talking Print reaching 12,808 listeners annually.

Revenue is generated through six social enterprise subsidiaries: VIE Ability (an e-commerce office supply store with 60,000+ SKUs that grew 800% over five years), Base Supply Center (Office Runway at Wright-Patterson AFB, 9,000 sq ft, 40,000+ SKUs), Industries Program (light manufacturing under AbilityOne, ISO 9001 certified since 2012, UL approved), Signage Manufacturing (custom indoor/outdoor, ADA, safety, photoluminescent), Contract Management Support (CMS) for federal contracting offices via AbilityOne at Wright-Patterson AFB and Marine HQ Quantico, and Route Transportation & Logistics (a 2022 acquisition providing US/Canada freight brokerage). Complementary revenue streams include online vision-product retail (talking clocks, large print aids, Braille playing cards) and tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and community partners including United Way and Kroger Community Rewards.

Underlying technology is third-party assistive technology — JAWS screen reading, CCTV video magnifiers, ZoomText, text-to-speech, OCR, and Braille displays — combined with proprietary service delivery workflows (radio broadcast infrastructure, podcasts distributed via Podbean and Amazon Alexa, mobile vision resources van, and an e-commerce stack). Operations are housed at the 59,000 sq ft Hornbeck Social Enterprise Center (opened 2017) and supported by 27,077–30,836 volunteer hours annually. Leadership since March 2021 is President/CEO Teri Shirk, with an executive team added in 2022–2024 including CFO Monica Braddock, VP Business Development Jennifer Alvis, and VP Manufacturing Brad Netherton.

Name

Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Legal name

Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Website

https://cincyblind.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1911 that delivers vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and audio information services to individuals with vision loss across an 11-county Ohio/Kentucky region, while operating six social enterprises that employ people who are blind.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Vision Aids: Sale of vision products including large print address books, talking clocks, pill boxes, keyboard labels, cutting boards, paper products, and Braille playing cards through the organization's shop.
2. Social Enterprise Manufacturing: Manufacturing and sale of products through social enterprises including signage (indoor/outdoor), industrial products (tape, rolled paper, kitchen gadgets), safety products, and office supplies. Products sold to federal government via AbilityOne Program and commercial markets.
3. E-commerce Office Supply Stores: VIE Ability online office supply store offering over 60,000 products. Base Supply Center on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base offering over 40,000 items. Both operated by people who are blind or visually impaired.
4. Freight Brokerage Services: Route Transportation and Logistics provides third-party logistics services, generating revenue through freight management fees for LTL, partial truckload, and full truckload shipping.
5. Government Contracts - Contract Management Support: Contract Management Support (CMS) services for Federal Government contracting offices at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Marine Headquarters in Quantico, VA through the National Industries for the Blind's AbilityOne Program.
6. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible 501(c)(3) donations from individuals, corporations, and community partners supporting vision services and employment programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CABVI is a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive vision rehabilitation services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including assistive technology training, low vision evaluations, orientation and mobility training, and audio information services (Radio Reading, Talking Books, podcasts). It also operates multiple social enterprises—Base Supply Center on Wright-Patterson AFB, VIE Ability e-commerce office supplies, Industries Program manufacturing, Signage production, Contract Management Support for federal agencies, and Route Transportation & Logistics freight brokerage—that provide employment for individuals with vision loss.

Product overview

CABVI is a private, not-for-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of services and social enterprises for people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization operates a multi-faceted portfolio consisting of core service programs (Vision Services and Audio Information Services) and social enterprise businesses. Vision Services includes assistive technology, early childhood and youth services, low vision evaluations, rehabilitation therapy, and mobile vision resources. Audio Information Services provides Radio Reading Services, Talking Books, podcasts, and personalized talking print. The social enterprises include Base Supply Center (Office Runway) for military base office supplies, VIE Ability ecommerce office supply store, Industries Program for light manufacturing, Signage production, Contract Management Support for federal government, and Route Transportation and Logistics (acquired in 2022). Products are available through the online vision products shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIE Ability: Ecommerce office supply store launched in 2013 (originally as CincySight), providing professional-level job opportunities for individuals with vision loss.
• Base Supply Center – Office Runway
• Hornbeck Social Enterprise Center
• Route Transportation and Logistics

Products and services

• Vision Services Comprehensive vision rehabilitation services for adults and children who are blind or visually impaired, including assistive technology training, early childhood and youth services, low vision evaluations, vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility training, social services, and mobile vision resources delivered across an 11-county Ohio/Kentucky service area.
• Audio Information Services Accessible audio programming including 24/7 Radio Reading Services broadcasting news from local and national newspapers, magazines, and grocery ads; Talking Books via National Library Service partnership; Personalized Talking Print phone service; one-on-one volunteer reading; and multiple podcast channels covering news, entertainment, health, youth, and work-related content accessible via web, special radio receivers, cable TV, and Alexa.
• Contract Management Support (CMS) Contract Management Support services for Federal Government contracting offices through the National Industries for the Blind's AbilityOne Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Marine Headquarters in Quantico, VA. Employees use screen-reading software, CCTV, and ZoomText technology to deliver federal contract closeout and management services.
• Base Supply Center - Office Runway Office supply store located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, offering over 40,000 items including SKILCRAFT products manufactured by blindness agencies across the U.S. Operates a 9,000 sq ft physical retail location plus e-commerce operations.
• Signage Manufacturing Full-service sign production center offering custom sign design, laser etching and engraving, UV printing, and precision flatbed printing and cutting. Products include PVC, banners, corrugated, polymetal, aluminum, and photoluminescent signs including exit, safety, ADA, and custom options for commercial applications.
• VIE Ability Ecommerce office supply store offering over 60,000 high-quality products across categories including office, furniture, technology, janitorial, food service, and industrial supplies, providing professional-level employment for people with vision loss. Achieved 800% revenue growth over five years.
• Route Transportation and Logistics Third-party logistics provider offering freight management services throughout the U.S. and Canada, handling LTL, partial truckload, and full truckload shipping. Employs 44 individuals and operates via routemyfreight.com.
• Industries Program Light industrial manufacturing program offering job training and employment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Core capabilities include converting mill-sized rolls of paper and tapes (including 3M products) into retail products, assembly, packaging, slitting, rewinding, and kitting. Products sold to Federal and State governments and commercial markets.
• Vision Products (Shop) Online store of adaptive devices and aids for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including Extra Large Button Talking Clock ($19.00), Large Print Address Book ($11.40), Jumbo Portable Pill Box ($10.00), Large Print Keyboard Labels ($20.00), Low Vision Cutting Board ($23.70), Braille Playing Cards ($12.10), and 2026 Large Print Calendar ($12.06).

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,529 clients assisted annually through Vision Services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2022Collaboration to implement freight broker professional program, providing training and job opportunities for visually impaired individuals in the logistics industry. TIA is a trade association for freight brokers and logistics providers.
• Northside Distilling Co.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership releasing annual limited-edition Braille Bourbon whiskey with $20 from each bottle benefiting CABVI services.
• 3MmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Manufacturing partnership where 3M products (large rolls of tape) arrive for conversion into retail products by CABVI employees.
• West Side BrewingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership creating Braille Ale beer with Braille labels, now in 6th year. Supports vision services through percentage of sales.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016CABVI is a member agency implementing the AbilityOne Program, providing mission-critical products to the Federal Government. NIB helps non-profit blindness agencies supply products to federal government.
• OXOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for kitchen gadgets and tools manufactured by CABVI under OXO brand.
• LumAwareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for photoluminescent products manufactured by CABVI.
• United WaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing funding and support for vision services and programs.
• AbilityOne ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFederal government program providing preferred sourcing for products manufactured by blindness agencies. CABVI supplies products to federal government through this program.
• National Library Service (NLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranch of Library of Congress providing Talking Books service for people who are visually impaired. CABVI partners to offer this free service.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program where shoppers can designate CABVI to receive donations from purchases.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind: Nonprofit operating social enterprises (manufacturing, call centers, retail) and direct vision services for blind and visually impaired individuals. Closest peer in terms of combined service-plus-social-enterprise model.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, training, and employment for people who are blind or visually impaired, including AbilityOne manufacturing. Direct peer in mid-size Midwest blindness agency category.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and behavioral health services for people with vision loss. Comparable mission, service portfolio (low vision exams, training, employment), and integrated healthcare approach.
• Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI): Rochester NY-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, employment services, and assistive technology. Comparable regional direct services peer with similar demographic focus.
• Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired: Cincinnati-area nonprofit serving people who are blind or visually impaired through rehabilitation, employment, and manufacturing programs. Closest geographic and mission peer to CABVI, and former employer of multiple CABVI leaders.
• Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: California-based nonprofit providing low vision services, rehabilitation therapy, and assistive technology training. Direct peer in vision rehabilitation services with comparable clinical scope.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and manufacturing employment for people who are blind. Operates under AbilityOne Program with manufacturing capabilities similar to CABVI's Industries Program.
• Industries for the Blind (IB): Wisconsin-based nonprofit agency manufacturing products and providing services through AbilityOne Program for people who are blind. Comparable manufacturing-scale peer with federal contracting focus.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): Umbrella nonprofit that coordinates the AbilityOne Program for 89 associated blindness agencies including CABVI. Functions as a strategic partner and capacity builder rather than direct service competitor.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating social enterprises and employment programs for people with disabilities and other barriers. CABVI's CEO previously led Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley; comparable social enterprise model and population served.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CABVICincy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyo0HR3tJRQ4NQZ6gcf5JGg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cabvicincy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cabvi
• Instagraminstagram.com/cabvicincy

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired