AVRE

What AVRE does

AVRE (Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment) is a private, New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 that serves people who are blind or visually impaired across nine counties in the Southern Tier of New York. The organization operates a hybrid model that pairs free vision rehabilitation services — including Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Low Vision Exams, Orientation and Mobility Training, Case Management, and Functional Vision Assessments — with a Business Division whose revenue cross-subsidizes those services. Over 90% of the Business Division's direct labor workforce is blind or visually impaired.

The Business Division manufactures paper-based office supplies (manila file folders, copy paper in multiple recycled-content variants, pressboard folders, poly jackets, file jackets), produces a private-label green cleaning line (JAWS), and delivers kitting and contract packaging services including public-health and educational kits. Manufacturing uses modern, ISO 9001:2015-certified equipment fitted with adaptive technology — color contrast, voice output, and enlarged screens — to enable blind operators to work across the production line. AVRE also operates switchboards at two VA Medical Centers (Montrose and Castle Point) using adaptive enlarged-text and voice-output systems.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through institutional channels: the federal AbilityOne Program (mandatory source), the New York State Preferred Source Program (NYSPSP), and direct local/commercial sales, supplemented by the ViewPoint retail store for low vision aids. Reported 2018 sales totaled approximately $10.8M (Federal $7.4M, State $2.4M, Local $1M). The organization is led by President/CEO Ken Fernald (with AVRE since 1990, CEO since 2014, legally blind since childhood), and recently professionalized its executive bench with a new CFO (April 2025), HR Director (February 2025), and Vision Rehabilitation Services Director (May 2026). A $2.4 million paper production capacity expansion was completed in 2024 to support continued contract fulfillment.

Name

AVRE

Legal name

Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc.

Website

https://avreus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AVRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1926 that provides free vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired individuals across nine Southern Tier New York counties, cross-subsidized by a manufacturing and services Business Division that employs over 90% blind or visually impaired workers in its direct labor force.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Services

NAICS

Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAIAF

Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment, Devices & Training

SECONDARYHLAHAJAD

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYEDAKAIAD

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment, Devices & Training

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology products
• Nonprofit contract packaging
• Adaptive employment services
• Government set-aside manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Binghamton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Manufacturing Sales: AVRE manufactures and sells paper products (manila file folders, copy paper), contract packaging, and kitting services primarily to federal and state government agencies through mandatory set-aside programs. 2018 Sales breakdown: Federal $7.4M, State $2.4M, Local $1M. Revenue from Business Division offsets cost of providing vision rehabilitation services.
2. Switchboard Operations: AVRE manages switchboard operations at two VA Medical Centers (Montrose and Castle Point), providing employment opportunities for people who are blind while generating revenue.
3. Contract Packaging and Kitting: Partners with commercial vendors and distributors to provide kitting and packaging services including products for school districts, health departments, hospitals, and commercial businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AVRE provides free vision rehabilitation services (Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Low Vision Exams, Orientation and Mobility Training, Case Management, Functional Vision Assessments) to individuals who are blind or visually impaired across nine New York counties. To fund these services, it operates a Business Division that manufactures paper products (manila file folders, copy paper, pressboard folders, poly/file jackets, JAWS cleaning products, face shields), assembles contract kitting/packaging, and runs switchboard operations at VA Medical Centers—primarily through US AbilityOne and NYSPSP mandatory source programs.

Product overview

AVRE operates a hybrid business model combining vision rehabilitation services with a manufacturing and services business division. The core products include paper-based office supplies manufactured at their Binghamton facility (manila file folders, copy paper in various configurations, pressboard folders, poly/file jackets), cleaning products (JAWS), and various kitting/packaging products. The business division provides kitting and contract packaging services, switchboard operations for VA hospitals, and operates a retail store (ViewPoint) selling low vision aids. Products are sold through federal (AbilityOne Program), state (NYSPSP), and local/commercial markets. The rehabilitation services division provides free vision rehabilitation therapy, low vision exams, orientation and mobility training, and related support services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired across nine New York counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foundation for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (FVRE): Supporting foundation entity established in 1999 to manage endowment and investment portfolio to support AVRE's services and operations.
• ViewPoint Retail Store

Products and services

• Manila File Folders Durable manila file folders made of pt stock containing post-consumer material, manufactured on-site by AVRE's blind/visually impaired workforce for federal, state, and local markets.
• Copy Paper (multiple configurations) Copy paper manufactured by converting paper roll stock into finished product, sold in various sizes, weights, and recycled content options for federal, state, and commercial buyers.
• Pressboard File Folders Pressboard file folders made of pt heavy pressboard with expandable cloth-lined readers and fasteners, available through federal, state, and local markets.
• File Jackets and Poly Jackets File jackets (federal/state/local) and poly jackets (federal) supplied through government procurement channels.
• Polycarbonate Face Shields Reusable polycarbonate face shields with adjustable elastic band and foam strip for customizable comfort, developed for sale and distribution to area hospitals and healthcare providers during COVID-19.
• Flap Discs and Leaf Bags Flap disc abrasive products available to federal and state markets; leaf bags distributed to state and local markets.
• JAWS Cleaner (Just Add Water System) A line of green cleaning products manufactured on-site at AVRE, available through the ViewPoint Retail Store.
• Cribs for Kids Cribette and Pack 'n' Play Safe Sleep Kit Safe sleep infant products distributed through the NYSPSP in collaboration with Cribs for Kids and the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, with over 10,000 cribs shipped as part of the New York State Safe Sleep Initiative.
• Kitting and Contract Packaging Services Comprehensive kitting and packaging services including personal care kits, hygiene kits, Zika prevention kits, newborn baby/mother kits, safe sleep baby kits, small piece industrial sorting, and bulk-to-small package conversion, serving school districts, health departments, hospitals, and commercial businesses.
• Switchboard Operations Managed switchboard operations at two VA Medical Centers (Montrose and Castle Point) in downstate New York, employing blind or visually impaired operators with adaptive technology to handle hundreds of calls daily plus emergency codes and alarm monitoring.
• ViewPoint Retail Store Retail store offering low vision aids and adaptive devices (talking clocks/watches, liquid level indicators, kitchen utensils, large-print playing cards, magnifiers, white canes) alongside AVRE-manufactured products.
• Vision Rehabilitation Services Comprehensive vision rehabilitation services including Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Low Vision Exams, Orientation and Mobility Training, Case Management, Functional Vision Assessments, and the Vision Impairment Connect Program, provided free of charge to participants across nine New York counties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced energy consumption by 45% and water usage by 20% using 3D Knit-To-Shape technology and recycled PET bottles (Note: This refers to AVRE sustainable sneakers brand mentioned in news - different entity)

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Eck Plastic Arts, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020In response to COVID-19 outbreak, AVRE partnered with local plastics manufacturer to manufacture and assemble polycarbonate face shields for sale and distribution to area hospitals and healthcare providers.
• Bates TroycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with local industrial laundry company Bates Troy for folding various items such as washcloths, adult bibs, and fitted bed sheets. This partnership enables AVRE to hire individuals with disabilities other than vision impairment, expanding employment opportunities to the broader disability community.
• Cribs for KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVRE ships cribs in support of the New York State Safe Sleep initiative through collaboration with Cribs for Kids and support from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Over 10,000 cribs shipped.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVRE is a member agency of NIB, participating in the AbilityOne Program. NIB provides work-related programs to help individuals thrive in careers and advocacy support.
• NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVRE is a member of NYSID as part of the Preferred Source Program, which offers NYS contract opportunities to agencies employing people with disabilities.
• Goody (Newell Brands)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOngoing kitting project repackaging Goody hair care products for distribution in military commissaries and community organizations.
• Guiding Eyes for the BlindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for guide dog training services. CEO Ken Fernald received guide dog training from this organization.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Second Sense: Chicago-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology training. Comparable to AVRE's rehabilitation services arm but without the manufacturing revenue engine, making it a partial/emerging peer.

Direct peers

• LC Industries: Durham, NC-based AbilityOne/NIB agency manufacturing office, janitorial, and textile products and providing switchboard/base operations, employing people who are blind. Direct peer given identical federal mandatory source channel and similar manufacturing/services mix.
• Industries for the Blind (IFB Solutions): National NIB-affiliated AbilityOne agency headquartered in Greensboro, NC manufacturing paper products, office supplies, and kitting/packaging services, employing people who are blind. Most direct operational peer to AVRE — same AbilityOne channel, similar paper/kitting product mix, comparable 100% blind workforce model.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based AbilityOne nonprofit providing manufacturing, packaging, and kitting services while employing people who are blind. Comparable to AVRE's Business Division across product mix, federal procurement channel, and workforce model.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based NIB/AbilityOne nonprofit agency manufacturing office products, mops, and janitorial supplies while employing people who are blind. Directly comparable to AVRE's Binghamton Business Division in products, mission, and federal procurement channel.
• Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI): Wisconsin-based AbilityOne/NIB nonprofit manufacturing office products, mops, and packaging while providing vision rehabilitation services. Combines AVRE's two business lines in a single organization, making it one of the closest functional analogues.
• Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle): Pacific Northwest NIB/AbilityOne nonprofit manufacturing products (mops, Braille products, packaging) and providing vision rehabilitation services for people who are blind. Direct functional peer across both manufacturing and rehabilitation service lines.

Others

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): Central nonprofit agency that administers the AbilityOne Program and of which AVRE is a member agency. Not a direct competitor but the governing ecosystem entity that channels federal contracts to AVRE and shapes its product/kitting opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• Lighthouse Guild: Largest vision rehabilitation and behavioral health nonprofit in the U.S., providing low vision exams, vision rehabilitation, and adaptive services. Comparable to AVRE because it operates the same dual model of free/low-cost clinical vision services combined with community programs, though at significantly larger scale in NYC.

Regional players

• New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID): State-level Preferred Source Program administrator of which AVRE is a member. NYSID oversees NYSPSP contract flow across multiple nonprofit agencies; directly comparable as the channel through which AVRE's state revenue is transacted.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/avrebing
• Facebookfacebook.com/AVREBing

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 AVRE