Blindness Support Services
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersRiverside, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Blindness Support Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blindness Support Services
- Legal name
- Blindness Support Services Inc.
- Website
- https://blindnesssupport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blindness Support Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services (EDACAFAN), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN)
Keywords
Where Blindness Support Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Riverside
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blindness Support Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: BSS has administered local city and county government contracts from 1992 to the present. Services are provided under contract with government agencies for blind and visually impaired services.
- Foundation Grants: BSS has successfully administered grants from Weingart and PacifiCare Foundations, Rohr Industries, the California Council of the Blind, Bank of America, Allstate, and the Community Foundation of Riverside County. Also received a three-year grant from the California Endowment in 1999.
- Braille Transcription Services: BSS offers commercial Braille transcription services, transcribing print materials into Braille for personal or commercial purposes. Pricing is quote-based.
- Affordable Housing Operations: BSS formed a partnership in 1996 to provide a 120-unit apartment complex in Riverside for consumers with low to moderate income, creating affordable housing and operational involvement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free services for seniors 55+ with vision loss |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free services for children 0-5 with visual impairments |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Braille transcription - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Blindness Support Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blindness Support Services is a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on rehabilitation and training programs for blind and visually impaired individuals across Southern California. Its core offerings include assistive technology training (JAWS, ZoomText, Dolphin Guide, mobile accessibility), Braille instruction and transcription, orientation and mobility training (including fixed-route bus travel), independent living skills, early childhood intervention for children ages 0-5, and in-home support for adults 55+ dealing with vision loss. Most services are delivered free of charge to eligible consumers, funded through government contracts, foundation grants, and donations.
Product overview
Blindness Support Services is a non-profit service organization (not a software product company) providing a comprehensive suite of programs and services for blind and visually impaired individuals in Southern California. The organization operates multiple departmental programs including Assistive Technology Training, Orientation and Mobility Training, Braille Department Services, Independent Living Skills Program, Children's Department (ages 0-5), and Department of Older Adults (ages 55+). These programs work together to promote independence and self-reliance through hands-on training, one-on-one instruction, and community support groups. Additionally, the organization provides curated resource content including Essential iOS Apps List and Essential Android Apps List for assistive technology awareness. Services are available in Spanish and offered throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Children's Department (Early Intervention Program) Early intervention program for blind and visually impaired children ages 0-5 using the Tactile Approach to Learning methodology, providing in-home services, parent training, Braille reading preparation, orientation and mobility instruction, and social events for children and families in Riverside County.
- Assistive Technology Training Program Hands-on training with screen reading, magnification software, and adaptive technology including JAWS, ZoomText, Dolphin Guide, Microsoft Office, electronic magnifiers, and handheld digital magnifiers for Windows systems and mobile devices, delivered by Rehabilitation Technology Specialists.
- Orientation and Mobility Training Mobility instruction covering proper techniques for cane travel in indoor and outdoor settings, street crossings, bus travel, and local geography navigation, including a Travel Training Program for fixed-route bus system usage in partnership with the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
- Braille Department Services One-on-one Braille instruction covering grade one (uncontracted) and grade two (contracted) Braille in standard or jumbo formats, including Slate and Stylus, Braille labeler, Perkins Brailler, electronic Braille displays, and Spanish Braille with bilingual instructors; also offers commercial Braille transcribing services.
- Independent Living Skills Program Specialized training for personal and home management covering household cleaning, meal planning, cooking, clothing identification, shopping, money identification, budgeting, Braille labeling, and modern communication systems for blind and visually impaired adults.
- Department of Older Adults Program Free in-home program for seniors 55+ dealing with vision loss in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, providing activities of daily living training, Braille introduction, adaptive equipment, and adjustment to vision loss services.
- Braille Transcription Services Commercial Braille transcription services for personal or commercial purposes, transcribing print materials into Braille with quote-based pricing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90 percent of Braille literate adults are employed, compared to only 1 in 3 of non-Braille readers
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Blindness Support Services
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Blindness Support Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Blindness Support Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- California Department of RehabilitationcoreState government agency providing rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. BSS partners with DOR to provide services to blind and visually impaired consumers in Southern California counties.
- Riverside County Children's & Families CommissioncoreCounty commission supporting early childhood development. Partner in funding and supporting the Children's Department services for children ages 0-5 with visual impairments in Riverside County.
- Molina HealthcarecoreHealthcare organization providing medical coverage. BSS partnered with Molina Healthcare starting in 1999 along with Western University of Health Sciences and Inland Empire Health Plan to address barriers to adequate healthcare for people with visual impairments.
- Inland Empire Health PlancorePublic health plan serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Partner with BSS since 1999 to address healthcare access barriers for visually impaired individuals.
- Western University of Health SciencesminorHealth sciences university partnered with BSS in 1999 healthcare initiative for people with visual impairments.
- Riverside Art MuseumminorLocal art museum collaborating with BSS to provide cultural and artistic opportunities for the blind and visually impaired community.
- Riverside County Registrar of VotersminorCounty government agency ensuring voting accessibility for blind and visually impaired residents.
- Riverside Community Health FoundationminorHealth foundation supporting community health initiatives, partnering with BSS for health and wellness programs for visually impaired individuals.
- Assistance LeagueminorNonprofit volunteer organization providing community assistance, collaborating with BSS to strengthen services.
- Riverside County Transportation CommissioncoreCounty transportation agency supporting BSS Travel Training Program that enables clients to use the local fixed route bus system safely and efficiently.
- Stronghold EngineeringminorEngineering firm partnering with BSS to strengthen community services for visually impaired residents.
- SoCalGasminorSouthern California Gas Company provides customer assistance programs that BSS references for clients needing utility support.
- Riverside University Health System: Behavioral HealthminorCounty health system behavioral health division partnering with BSS to address mental health and wellness needs of visually impaired individuals.
- Riverside Housing Development CorporationcoreHousing development organization that partnered with BSS in 1996 to create a 120-unit affordable housing complex in Riverside for consumers with low to moderate income.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Blindness Support Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Perkins School for the Blind: Established nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired individuals, including children with visual impairments, through education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology services comparable to BSS's Children's Department and broader service suite.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Largest national membership organization for blind Americans, providing advocacy, education, and program services including Braille literacy and accessibility training that overlap with BSS's Braille Department and peer support group.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National advocacy and service organization that addresses blindness and visual impairment through research, professional development, and direct services; broader scope than BSS but operates in overlapping program areas like accessibility and independent living.
Direct peers
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit offering vision-loss rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and vision health services directly comparable to BSS's AT Department, Braille services, and independent living skills programs.
- Braille Institute: Southern California-based nonprofit providing assistive technology training, Braille instruction, and vision-loss services to blind and visually impaired individuals; the closest geographic and programmatic peer to BSS, with headquarters in Los Angeles and centers across the region.
- Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Nonprofit providing distance-education programs in Braille, assistive technology, and independent living to blind and visually impaired learners nationwide—closely comparable to BSS's training offerings, with a contrasting remote-delivery model.
- Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Nonprofit providing Braille transcription, assistive technology, and independent living services to blind and visually impaired consumers; relevant peer for BSS's commercial Braille transcription and AT training programs.
Others
- California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR): State agency that is both a BSS funder and a broader ecosystem player; while not a direct peer, DOR competes and contracts with BSS for vocational rehabilitation and independent living services across the same population in California.
Regional players
- LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (San Francisco): Northern California nonprofit offering assistive technology, employment, and independent living services to blind and visually impaired individuals; same operating model and service categories as BSS but serving the Bay Area rather than Southern California.
- VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: New York-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, social services, and assistive technology training for blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages; directly comparable program mix to BSS but serving the Northeast.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blindness Support Services social profiles
Digital presenceBlindness Support Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blindness Support Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Blindness Support Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blindness Support Services 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 Blindness Support Services
What does Blindness Support Services do?
Blindness Support Services is a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on rehabilitation and training programs for blind and visually impaired individuals across Southern California. Its core offerings include assistive technology training (JAWS, ZoomText, Dolphin Guide, mobile accessibility), Braille instruction and transcription, orientation and mobility training (including fixed-route bus travel), independent living skills, early childhood intervention for children ages 0-5, and in-home support for adults 55+ dealing with vision loss. Most services are delivered free of charge to eligible consumers, funded through government contracts, foundation grants, and donations.
Is Blindness Support Services a public or private company?
Blindness Support Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blindness Support Services founded?
Blindness Support Services was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Blindness Support Services based?
Blindness Support Services is headquartered in Riverside, United States, in the North America region.
How does Blindness Support Services make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, braille Transcription Services and affordable Housing Operations.
Who are Blindness Support Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Perkins School for the Blind, National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Direct peers are Lighthouse Guild, Braille Institute, Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is listed as an others. Regional players are LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (San Francisco) and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Does Blindness Support Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blindness Support Services.
What industry is Blindness Support Services in?
Blindness Support Services's product category is Disability and Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of EDACAFAN, Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.