Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

What Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired does

MABVI is a nonprofit social service organization founded in 1903, operating as the oldest U.S. agency dedicated to adults who are blind or visually impaired and serving 1,200–1,400 clients annually across Massachusetts. Its service portfolio includes vision rehabilitation (in-home and clinic-based), access technology training, orientation and mobility instruction, adjustment counseling, peer support groups, one-to-one volunteer matching, and low-vision exam referrals. The organization maintains a workforce of 51–100 direct staff within the larger 400+ MAB Community Services parent and draws on 300+ active volunteers matched one-to-one with clients.

The underlying "technology" stack is the Access Technology Training Program, delivered through 11+ assistive-technology centers (in Boston, Brookline, Fitchburg, Franklin, Cape Cod, Natick, Newton, Watertown, Worcester, Salem, and Springfield) and remote video conferencing. MABVI does not build proprietary assistive hardware or software; instead, it trains clients on consumer accessibility features across iOS, Windows, and Mac, along with refreshable Braille displays, magnifiers, and e-readers. The organization also collaborates with MEDITECH on accessibility testing of the Expanse Patient Portal and with BU Innovate@BU on transit accessibility design challenges, positioning it as an applied domain expert rather than a software vendor.

MABVI's revenue model is a multi-stream nonprofit funding architecture with all services provided at no cost to clients. Income is sourced from individual donations (one-time and recurring), foundation and corporate grants, planned giving/bequests, corporate matching gifts, vehicle donations (via CARS Partners), and event-based fundraising through the Team With A Vision Boston Marathon program (runners commit to a $12,500 fundraising minimum). Named institutional funders in 2024 include the Cummings Foundation ($225K three-year), Point32Health Foundation ($300K), Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation ($250K multi-year), Miller Innovation Fund ($50K), and George E. Curtis Charitable Trust ($30K), with the Gibney Family Foundation providing $581.6K cumulatively since 2011.

Name

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Legal name

MAB Community Services

Website

https://mabvi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MABVI is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1903, delivering free vision rehabilitation, assistive-technology training, counseling, and volunteer support to 1,200–1,400 blind or visually impaired adults annually through statewide centers and in-home services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG), Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Orientation and mobility training
• Peer support services
• Blindness adjustment counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time gifts and recurring monthly donations from individual supporters through online donation forms, mail, and phone
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from foundations including Cummings Foundation, Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation, Gibney Family Foundation, CTA Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, and others supporting specific programs and capacity building
3. Boston Marathon Fundraising: Team With A Vision charity runners raise funds through the Boston Marathon, with runners committing to $12,500 fundraising minimum
4. Planned Giving and Bequests: Legacy Society accepts bequests, endowed funds, and planned giving arrangements
5. Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations
6. Vehicle Donations: Car, boat, and vehicle donations through CARS Partners

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) is a nonprofit social service organization that delivers free vision rehabilitation and support services to adults and seniors who are blind or visually impaired across Massachusetts. Core offerings include in-home vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, one-to-one volunteer support, adjustment counseling, peer support groups, orientation and mobility training, and low vision exam referrals, all funded through donations and grants.

Product overview

MABVI is a non-profit social service organization offering a comprehensive suite of vision rehabilitation and support services for adults and seniors who are blind or visually impaired. Rather than a single software product, MABVI operates as a service provider offering multiple interconnected programs including Access Technology Training, Vision Rehabilitation, One-to-One Volunteer Support, Adjustment Counseling, Peer Support Groups, and Orientation and Mobility Training. The organization also runs the Team With A Vision marathon charity program and produces educational content including the Dangerous Vision Podcast and Planes, Trains & Canes documentary series. Services are delivered in-person at locations across Massachusetts including Boston, Worcester, Brookline, and partner senior centers, as well as remotely via video and teleconference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Team With A Vision: A charity running program that participates in the Boston Marathon, raising funds and awareness for MABVI's vision rehabilitation services. The team consists of blind and sighted runners who run together to support individuals with vision loss.
• MABVI Volunteer Program
• Sustainer Circle

Products and services

• Vision Rehabilitation Services In-home vision rehabilitation provided by licensed occupational therapists focusing on improving household safety, healthcare management, and adaptive strategies for daily activities for adults and seniors who are blind or visually impaired.
• Access Technology Training Training program helping blind or visually impaired individuals learn to use assistive technology including apps, devices, magnification tools, and accessibility features for smartphones, tablets, and computers. Delivered at 11+ Access Technology Training Centers across Massachusetts.
• One-to-One Volunteer Support One-to-one volunteer matching program providing assistance with reading, clerical tasks, grocery shopping, errands, and serving as sighted guides for fitness activities. The program has over 300 active volunteers across Massachusetts.
• Adjustment to Vision Loss Counseling Individual and couples therapy services for people struggling with hopelessness and emotional paralysis associated with vision loss, provided by clinically trained therapists as the only peer-led clinical adjustment counseling program in Massachusetts for blind and visually impaired individuals.
• Peer Support Groups Monthly peer support groups led by visually impaired coordinators providing emotional and practical support for individuals coping with serious vision loss, operating 34 low-vision support groups statewide.
• Orientation and Mobility Training Specialized training by Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists on strategies and skills for safe, efficient travel in indoor and outdoor environments for clients who are blind or visually impaired.
• Low Vision Exam Referrals Referrals to low vision specialists for evaluations and specialized exams focusing on lighting, optical devices, and large print materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 1,200-1,400 adults annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Boston Medical Center Section of GeriatricscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to integrate vision rehabilitation into BMC's geriatric case management services, ensuring seniors receive coordinated care.
• Massachusetts Commission for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding and coordination for support groups and other state services for blind and visually impaired residents.
• Massachusetts Association of Councils on AgingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed funder for Access Technology Training Program launched in 2017. Ongoing services enabled through funding from this partnership.
• MEDITECHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to test accessibility of Expanse Patient and Consumer Health Portal for blind and visually impaired users.
• Dr. Mona Minkara / Planes, Trains & CanessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMABVI is sponsoring season two of the web series Planes, Trains, & Canes which explores cultural perceptions about disabilities through global travel.
• Boston University Innovate@BUsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Transit Design Challenge, a $10,000 competition for BU students to develop transportation accessibility solutions for aging and visually impaired communities.
• Alliance for Digital EquitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition working to expand access to broadband, technology, and digital skills throughout Massachusetts. MABVI is a proud member advancing digital equity.
• Lions Clubs International (Massachusetts districts)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized as Volunteer Community Partner for work developing LOVRNET (Low Vision Rehabilitation Network) in Massachusetts.
• The Boston Athletic AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Charity Program partner for Boston Marathon. Team With A Vision has participated for over 30 years raising awareness and funds for MABVI services.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic national institution serving blind/visually impaired individuals with education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology services. Broader incumbent that goes beyond adult services into K-12 and global programs; one of MABVI's AT staff (Jerry Feliz) previously worked there.
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit focused on vision loss research, advocacy, and expanding accessible services. Broader incumbent with national scope and research orientation rather than direct local service delivery like MABVI.

Direct peers

• Lighthouse Guild: Large NYC-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, AT training, behavioral health, and support services for blind/visually impaired individuals. Closest direct peer given overlapping service mix (rehabilitation, AT, counseling, support groups) and comparable nonprofit funding model.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Regional nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, AT training, employment programs, and support services for people with vision loss in the Chicago area. Functionally similar 501(c)(3) service portfolio to MABVI in a different geography.
• Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind: DC-area nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, AT training, low vision exams, and independent living services. Operates a comparable multi-program service model for blind/visually impaired adults.
• Cleveland Sight Center: Regional Ohio-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low vision services, AT training, and senior support programs. Operates a comparable integrated service model for adults and seniors with vision loss in a different region.
• Outlook Enrichment (formerly Nebraska Enterprises for the Blind): Midwestern nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, AT services, and employment programming for blind/visually impaired adults. Comparable multi-service nonprofit model.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, AT training, and employment services for people with vision loss. Comparable regional nonprofit service portfolio for adult blind/visually impaired clients.

Others

• VisionServe Alliance: National membership consortium of nonprofits serving people with vision loss. MABVI is a member of this peer ecosystem; relevant comparand as a network affiliation rather than direct service competitor.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and consumer organization for blind individuals, with state affiliates including Massachusetts. Overlapping mission space in adjustment to vision loss and peer support; operates as advocacy/membership body rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheMABVI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/themabvi
• Facebookfacebook.com/mabvi
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_mabvi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mabvi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired