Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI)

What Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI) does

Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI) is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1947, that delivers rehabilitation and support services to adults who are blind, visually impaired, DeafBlind, or living with combined vision and hearing loss across Arizona. Its service portfolio is structured around three pillars — Independence (Orientation and Mobility training, Living Skills, Braille instruction), Vocation (vocational rehabilitation plus a Desktop Support Technician training program aligned to CompTIA I and II certifications), and Whole Person Health (nutritious meals, accessible transportation, behavioral health, social recreation, and on-campus primary medical care through a partner Federally Qualified Health Center). Supporting programs include assistive technology training on screen readers, magnifiers, smart devices, and adaptive software; the iCanConnect national program for combined vision/hearing loss; ATArizona technology access; ACBVI Adventures (rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, hiking); and the BlindSided house band.

ACBVI does not sell services to clients — its programs are delivered at no cost. Revenue is drawn from individual and corporate donations, a Monthly Giving Circle, planned giving and estate gifts, the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO #20466) up to $506/$1,009 per individual/couple, Lions Club and United Way support, and volunteer labor. The organization operates a single Phoenix facility at 3100 E Roosevelt St, employs approximately 30 staff, and is led by Executive Director Steve Tepper with a senior team including a Chief Development Officer/Chief of Staff and a Chief of Rehabilitation Services. Strategic positioning is built on 78 years of community presence, certified specialists, durable partnerships (Lions Clubs, United Way, FQHC, Foundation for Blind Children), and earned-media visibility (ABC15, Tour de Scottsdale).

Go-to-market is community-led: referrals flow through healthcare providers, social service agencies, support groups, and word-of-mouth within the blind and visually impaired population, supplemented by social media, newsletter, website content, and signature events. Differentiators include ASL interpretation capability for DeafBlind clients, embedded primary healthcare, and a holistic wraparound service model that combines rehabilitation with food, transportation, and behavioral health support.

Name

Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI)

Legal name

Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Website

https://acbvi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACBVI is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 1947, delivering free vision rehabilitation, vocational training, assistive technology instruction, and wraparound wellness services to blind, visually impaired, and DeafBlind adults across Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Orientation and mobility
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Deafblind support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ACBVI relies on charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations to fund operations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN# 86-0133392) and accepts one-time donations, monthly recurring donations through their Monthly Giving Circle, and tribute gifts in honor of loved ones.
2. Arizona Charitable Tax Credit: As a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO #20466), ACBVI participates in Arizona's state tax credit program, allowing donors to redirect state tax dollars to the organization in exchange for dollar-for-dollar tax credits up to $506 for individuals and $1009 for couples filing jointly.
3. Planned Giving and Estate Donations: Legacy gifts through wills, trusts, stocks, life insurance, and charitable gift annuities ensure future generations continue receiving support. Donating appreciated stocks allows donors to potentially avoid capital gains taxes.
4. Volunteer Services: Volunteers provide essential support for rehabilitation sessions, educational classes, event planning, and administrative tasks without direct compensation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACBVI delivers free, comprehensive rehabilitation and support services to adults who are blind, visually impaired, DeafBlind, or living with combined vision and hearing loss in Arizona. Its offerings are organized around three pillars — Independence (orientation and mobility training, living skills, Braille instruction), Vocation (vocational rehabilitation, job readiness, Desktop Support Technician training with CompTia I and II certification), and Whole Person Health (nutritious meals, accessible transportation, behavioral health, on-campus FQHC healthcare access, wellness classes) — supplemented by adaptive adventure programs, assistive technology instruction, and the iCanConnect communication-equipment program.

Product overview

ACBVI offers a comprehensive portfolio of rehabilitation and support services for adults who are blind, visually impaired, DeafBlind, or living with combined vision and hearing loss. The core offerings center on three pillars: Independence (including Orientation and Mobility Training, Living Skills, and Braille Instruction), Vocation (Vocational Rehabilitation and Desktop Support Technician Training with CompTia certification), and Whole-Person Health (meals, transportation, behavioral health, and wellness services). Supporting programs include Assistive Technology Instruction, ACBVI Adventures (skiing, kayaking, rock climbing), Social Recreation, the BlindSided band, iCanConnect, and ATArizona technology access. Educational resources include Information on Blindness and the Blindness Simulator. ACBVI operates as a unified service organization rather than a platform-plus-modules software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vision Rehabilitation Services
• Orientation and Mobility Training
• Assistive Technology Instruction
• Braille Instruction
• Living Skills
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Desktop Support Technician Training
• Whole-Person Health Services
• ACBVI Adventures (presented by BOK Financial)
• iCanConnect
• ATArizona (Arizona Technology Access Program)
• Hunger Relief Program
• Adaptive Gym

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,000+ meals served annually to clients experiencing food insecurity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arizona Bank & TrustcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2025Presented the Tour de Scottsdale Kick-off Party where ACBVI clients participated in the cycling event alongside hundreds of regional cyclists.
• BOK FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented ACBVI Adventures program, which offers adventure trips like snow skiing, water sports, and rock climbing to promote confidence, social connection, and independence.
• Local Lions ClubscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLions clubs provided generous support that led to construction of the permanent facility named after Melvin Jones, supporting ACBVI's mission since the organization's early days.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong partnership with United Way supporting ACBVI's rehabilitation programs and community services.
• Foundation for Blind ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Partner of the Year (Julie Oliver) and Polly Thompson Award (Vickie McWatters) at the 2025 Circle of Honor celebration, indicating close collaborative relationship.
• Gecko Climbing GymminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdventure Partner of the Year, providing adaptive climbing experiences for ACBVI clients.
• Granite Mountain GuidesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdventure Partner of the Year, supporting ACBVI's outdoor adventure programming.
• Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus healthcare partner providing access to medical care for ACBVI clients as part of the whole-person health approach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Foundation for Blind Children: Phoenix-based nonprofit providing education, rehabilitation, and support services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable as a regional vision rehabilitation peer in the same Arizona market; ACBVI has a documented partnership with FBC through the Circle of Honor awards.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Comprehensive vision rehabilitation nonprofit serving people who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind across Illinois. Directly comparable in scope—offers assistive technology, vocational training, orientation and mobility, and a social enterprise employment model paralleling ACBVI's holistic approach.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and assistive technology services. Directly comparable in service breadth, including integrated healthcare and vocational programs for individuals with vision loss, similar to ACBVI's three-pillar model.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indiana-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation training, assistive technology, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable in offering vision rehabilitation, AT training, and vocational services analogous to ACBVI's portfolio.
• Envision: Wichita, Kansas-based nonprofit serving people who are blind or low vision through rehabilitation, education, and employment programs. Directly comparable in mission, service mix, and regional-rehabilitation structure to ACBVI.
• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Regional nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and independent living services across Greater Cincinnati. Closely comparable to ACBVI in service mix—orientation and mobility, AT training, vocational rehabilitation—and community-based nonprofit structure.
• Vision Forward Association: Milwaukee-based nonprofit providing services for people who are blind or visually impaired of all ages, including assistive technology and rehabilitation. Comparable in service scope and community rehabilitation model to ACBVI, though it covers a broader age range.

Emerging players

• Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults: National center providing specialized services for individuals who are DeafBlind. Directly comparable to ACBVI's DeafBlind program and iCanConnect delivery, operating at a national scale with regional representatives.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): National nonprofit umbrella organization that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind through manufacturing and service contracts. Comparable mission around economic independence for the blind community but operates at a national scale rather than regional direct-service delivery.

Others

• Arizona Technology Access Program (ATAz / AT Arizona): Arizona statewide program operated in partnership with ACBVI that connects individuals with disabilities to assistive devices. Overlaps with ACBVI's assistive technology instruction services and is co-delivered through their Phoenix facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arizonacenterfortheblindan2240
• Facebookfacebook.com/acbvi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acbvi
• Xx.com/acbvi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Arizona Center for The Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI)