Metrolina Association for the Blind

What Metrolina Association for the Blind does

Metrolina Association for the Blind (MAB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1934 and headquartered at 704 Louise Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina. The organization delivers services to people who are blind or visually impaired in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union counties through two principal divisions. Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) provides individualized case management, low vision optometry exams, vision rehabilitation therapy, Certified Orientation and Mobility (COMS) training, assistive technology instruction (JAWS, ZoomText, Dolphin Guide, iOS), counseling, the eight-week Mini-Center program, and ADA-accessible transportation across three counties. Accessible Document Services (ADS), the revenue-generating business arm, converts corporate documents into Braille, Large Print, Audio CD, and Accessible PDF formats for banks, utilities, and telecommunications companies nationwide and in Canada, processing approximately 18,000 statements per month using a Braillo 300 S2 embosser (up to 900 pages/hour) and PCI DSS-compliant infrastructure certified since 2008.

MAB's revenue model is hybrid: ADS generates transaction-based revenue from enterprise contracts (with net proceeds directed to mission programming), supplemented by individual and corporate donations, annual fundraising events (the Night for Sight Mardi Gras Ball co-hosted with Charlotte Area Delta Gamma Alumnae), grant funding (e.g., Delta Gamma Foundation), and heavily subsidized client fees (e.g., $10 subsidized transportation, $50 Mini-Center). The agency historically received United Way of Central Carolinas funding (a member agency since 1937) but lost that stream in July 2019. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales for ADS via a dedicated sales email and toll-free line, healthcare-provider referrals for VRS, and event-driven community engagement. Distribution for ADS is nationwide electronic-and-mail delivery; VRS distribution is regional direct-service delivery with a new April 2026 virtual peer support group extending reach.

Recent strategic posture emphasizes capital refresh (2024 Braillo 300 S2 grant-funded embosser), cultural-access partnerships (Arts and Science Council, Disability Rights & Resources, Art Walks CLT, Blumenthal, CPCC), and community programming (McGill Rose Garden social groups, diabetes education with Mecklenburg County Public Health), while navigating the structural funding gap left by the 2019 United Way departure.

Name

Metrolina Association for the Blind

Legal name

Metrolina Association for the Blind, Inc.

Website

https://mabnc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metrolina Association for the Blind is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that, since 1934, has provided vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired individuals and produced Braille, Large Print, Audio CD, and accessible PDF documents for corporate clients nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation and Accessibility Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Accessible document services
• Braille transcription services
• Low vision optometry
• Orientation and mobility training

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accessible Document Services (ADS): Revenue-generating business arm that converts corporate documents (billing statements, account statements, custom documents) into Braille, Large Print, Audio CD, and Accessible PDF formats for financial institutions, utilities, and telecommunications companies. As a non-profit, all net revenues directly support services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event fundraising (Night for Sight Mardi Gras Ball). The organization also receives funding through United Way (though no longer via United Way of Central Carolinas as of 2019).
3. Client Fees and Co-pays: Subsidized fees for Vision Rehabilitation Services including transportation ($10), Mini-Center ($50), and assistive technology training. Standard rate is $150/hour but subsidized for clients through organizational fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metrolina Association for the Blind operates two service divisions: Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) delivering case management, low vision optometry, rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility, counseling, and transportation to blind and visually impaired individuals; and Accessible Document Services (ADS), a business arm that converts corporate billing and account statements into Braille, Large Print, Audio CD, and Accessible PDF formats for banks, utilities, and telecommunications companies. ADS processes approximately 18,000 monthly statements and subsidizes MAB's charitable mission.

Product overview

Metrolina Association for the Blind operates two main service divisions: Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and Accessible Document Services (ADS). VRS is a comprehensive rehabilitation program offering case management, low vision optometry, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology training (JAWS, ZoomText, Dolphin Guide, iOS), orientation and mobility services, counseling, transportation, and the Mini-Center group training program. ADS is a business-arm service providing document transcription into Braille, Large Print, Audio CD, and Accessible PDF formats for corporate clients (banks, utilities, telecommunications) across the United States. ADS processes approximately 18,000 monthly statements and includes textbook transcription services for primary and secondary education. Both divisions work together to support the organization's mission of helping people who are blind or visually impaired achieve independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
• Accessible Document Services (ADS)
• Case Management Services
• Low Vision Optometry Services
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Orientation and Mobility Services
• Transportation Services
• Mini-Center Program
• Counseling Services
• Assistive Technology Training
• Braille Document Services
• Textbook Transcription Services
• Statement Rendering Services
• Single Service Document Transcription

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Disability Rights & ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in 'Art is for Everyone' initiative providing audio descriptions and accessibility expertise for Charlotte's public art.
• Art Walks CLTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Art is for Everyone' initiative creating descriptive mural tours for individuals with visual impairments. Provides artist guides and interactive art activities.
• Lions ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in diabetes education program. Lions Services employees participated in MAB's Chronic Disease Management and Education program learning about nutrition and preventative healthcare.
• McGill Rose GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched September 2024 for monthly social gatherings at McGill Rose Garden. Clients and volunteers gather for educational topics, social time, and tactile activities. Includes access to Rosie's Coffee and Wine cafe.
• Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CPCC New Theater to make Matthew Whitaker Quintet performance accessible. MAB provided vision loss awareness training for staff, transportation, and Braille/large-print inserts for the performance.
• Blumenthal Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to ensure Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit was accommodating and meaningful for people with disabilities. MAB organized individuals with low vision and blindness to test and experience the exhibit.
• Leader DogminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented at MAB's Resource Roundtable about guide dog expectations and programs including FREE O&M program and Summer Experience Camp for teens. All programs include airfare.
• Perkins School for the BlindminorOthersReference source for statistics on white cane usage. According to Perkins School for the Blind, only 2-8% of visually impaired people use white canes.
• Charlotte Area Delta Gamma AlumnaecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Night for Sight Mardi Gras Ball co-host and sponsor. 3rd Annual event held March 2025. Provides fundraising support through event organization and corporate sponsor recruitment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Leader Dogs for the Blind: Rochester, MI-based nonprofit providing guide dog services and O&M training. Listed as a MAB partner; provides overlapping orientation & mobility programming and serves a similar blind/visually impaired client population.
• LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (San Francisco): San Francisco-based nonprofit offering vision rehabilitation, adaptive technology training, orientation & mobility, and accessible document services. The closest functional peer to MAB — same dual model of direct rehab services and enterprise document conversion.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, employment services, and assistive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comparable regional direct-service and AT training portfolio to MAB.
• Clovernook Center for the Blind: Cincinnati-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation and an industrial/manufacturing social enterprise employing people who are blind. Directly comparable to MAB's combined rehab + business-arm structure.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago-area nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and a social enterprise producing accessible products. Operates a similar dual mission/service model to MAB and is one of the largest comparable regional agencies.
• Industries for the Blind (IBMilwaukee): Midwest nonprofit operating a manufacturing and document services social enterprise employing people who are blind. Comparable to MAB's Accessible Document Services business arm in mission-aligned B2B production.

Broad incumbents

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): Largest nationwide membership organization of the blind, providing advocacy, education, and programs. Comparable to MAB as a blindness-services nonprofit, but operates at national advocacy scale rather than regional direct-service delivery.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic blindness-services institution based in Watertown, MA providing education, rehabilitation, and international programs. MAB already cites Perkins as a reference source. Comparable in mission though Perkins skews more toward K-12 education.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Louisville-based nonprofit producing accessible educational and consumer materials in Braille, large print, and audio. Comparable as a producer of accessible documents and textbooks — overlapping with MAB's textbook and document services.
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit serving people with vision loss through advocacy, research, and direct programs. Comparable as a peer non-profit in the blindness services space, though broader in scope (advocacy and policy) than MAB's regional rehab + document conversion focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mab_clt
• Facebookfacebook.com/107491369536
• Instagraminstagram.com/mab.nc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metrolina-association-for-the-blind

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Metrolina Association for the Blind