St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

What St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired does

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1911 that provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to individuals living with blindness or low vision across the St. Louis metropolitan area. The organization operates Drew's Low Vision Clinic for vision exams and therapeutic services, and delivers a full continuum of care including occupational therapy for daily living skills, Orientation and Mobility instruction, Braille instruction (provided free of charge), assistive technology training for computers and iPhones, counseling and social work, peer support groups, and client transportation services. The clinical team comprises Certified Low Vision Therapists and Occupational Therapists, several holding advanced certifications (Low Vision Level 2, Home Modifications, Falls Prevention), with home-visit coverage extending into St. Charles and Jefferson counties.

The Society complements its clinical services with the Sight Solutions Shop, an e-commerce storefront offering 256 specialized assistive products including SMARTMAG magnifiers (2.5X to 12X), FL-41 rose-tinted filters for light sensitivity, SolarShield contrast-enhancing sunglasses, hyperocular spectacle magnifiers, Ambutech mobility canes, talking watches/timers, and Daylight/OttLite specialty lamps, with prices ranging from approximately $2 to $300. Sub-brands include Drew's Low Vision Clinic, Sight Solutions Shop, the ForeSight Newsletter, and the annual Visionary Gala fundraising event (2026: 'Visions of Hope').

The business model blends three revenue streams: (1) donations and charitable contributions (individual giving, corporate sponsors, the Visionary Gala), (2) program service fees for low vision exams and rehabilitation services with financial assistance available for qualifying clients, and (3) hardware product sales through the Sight Solutions Shop. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals from eye doctors, occupational therapists, and healthcare providers, supported by an active presence across Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, the ForeSight email newsletter, and local earned media including CEO interviews on News4 My St. Louis. The Society serves over 1,200 clients annually and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors under CEO Sharon Mertzlufft; it has no parent company, subsidiaries, or funding rounds and operates as an independent community-based nonprofit.

Name

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Legal name

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Website

https://slsbvi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 1911-founded nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low vision exams, occupational therapy, Braille instruction, assistive technology training, and transportation to over 1,200 visually impaired clients annually across the St. Louis metro, supplemented by an e-commerce shop selling 256 assistive products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Low vision examinations
• Braille instruction programs
• Orientation mobility training

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Nonprofit funding through individual donations, corporate giving, and fundraising events such as the annual Visionary Gala
2. Program Services Revenue: Fees for low vision exams, rehabilitation services, and therapeutic interventions; financial assistance available for those who qualify
3. E-commerce Product Sales: Sales of assistive devices and low vision aids through the Sight Solutions Shop including magnifiers, talking watches, specialized glasses, lighting, and daily living aids

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit that provides vision rehabilitation, adaptive education, and assistive technology services for individuals living with vision loss in the greater St. Louis region. Core offerings include low vision examinations through Drew's Low Vision Clinic, Braille instruction, occupational therapy for daily living skills, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility instruction, peer support groups, counseling, and client transportation. The organization also retails 256 assistive devices through its Sight Solutions Shop, including magnifiers, talking watches, contrast-enhancing eyewear, mobility canes, and specialized lighting.

Product overview

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a non-profit organization offering rehabilitation services and assistive products for individuals with vision loss. The organization operates Drew's Low Vision Clinic providing vision exams and therapeutic services, along with educational programs including Braille instruction, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility instruction, and occupational therapy for daily living skills. The Sight Solutions Shop is the e-commerce retail arm offering 256 specialized products including SMARTMAG magnifiers, talking watches, FL-41 rose filters for light sensitivity, SolarShield contrast-enhancing sunglasses, hyperocular spectacle magnifiers, mobility canes, and daylight/OttLite lamps. Services and products work together to support independence and quality of life for the visually impaired community, with services including support groups, counseling, and transportation complementing the product offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Drew's Low Vision Clinic: A specialized low vision clinic providing vision exams and therapeutic services for individuals with visual impairments.
• Sight Solutions Shop
• ForeSight Newsletter
• Visionary Gala

Products and services

• Drew's Low Vision Clinic Vision examinations and therapeutic services for individuals with vision impairment, coordinated by a Certified Low Vision Therapist. Provides clinical assessments and therapeutic interventions for clients with low vision.
• Braille Instruction Classes teaching Braille for reading and/or writing, including slate and stylus instruction. Provided at no charge at the Society's offices, with up to six months of individual lessons plus independent practice.
• Daily Living Skills (Occupational Therapy) Occupational therapy services helping visually impaired clients maintain independence in daily activities, including low vision therapy, daily living skills training, and home modification assessments. Staffed by certified occupational therapists with home visits in St. Charles and Jefferson counties.
• Assistive Technology Training Training and support for computers, iPhones, and other assistive devices to help visually impaired individuals use technology and maintain digital access.
• Orientation and Mobility Instruction Instruction in orientation and mobility techniques to help visually impaired individuals navigate environments safely and independently.
• Support Groups and Peer Groups Groups for clients and their families or caregivers providing peer support and community connection for individuals adjusting to vision loss.
• Counseling and Community Resources Social work services providing counseling and connections to community resources for visually impaired individuals and their families.
• Client Transportation Services Transportation services helping visually impaired clients get to medical appointments, Society services, and other necessary destinations via Society transportation specialists.
• Sight Solutions Shop E-commerce retail platform selling 256 assistive devices including SMARTMAG magnifiers, talking watches, FL-41 rose filters, SolarShield contrast-enhancing sunglasses, hyperocular spectacle magnifiers, mobility canes, and Daylight/OttLite lamps. Products range from $2 to $300+ and ship to customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 people served annually with low vision exams and rehabilitation services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): National nonprofit addressing blindness and vision loss through research, advocacy, and program services; broader portfolio but overlapping on low vision resources, AT guidance, and rehabilitation content.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and service organization for blind Americans; broader and primarily advocacy-focused, but overlaps with SLSBVI on rehabilitation, training, and resource provision.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and assistive technology services; a broader incumbent that overlaps directly with SLSBVI's clinical and AT training offerings.

Direct peers

• Lighthouse for the Blind (St. Louis): A St. Louis-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, training, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired; directly comparable in geography, mission, and service mix to SLSBVI.
• Chicago Lighthouse: Midwest nonprofit offering low vision exams, rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment programs for the visually impaired; highly comparable in clinical service model and OT-led offerings.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-headquartered nonprofit providing rehabilitation, training, and employment services to people who are blind or visually impaired; directly comparable nonprofit vision rehabilitation peer.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit serving the blind and visually impaired with vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and youth programs; comparable regional Midwest vision rehabilitation peer.
• Hadley: Nonprofit providing education, training, and support for people with vision loss, including Braille instruction and AT tutorials; directly comparable mission and content, though primarily delivered remotely.

Regional players

• Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey: Nonprofit serving the visually impaired in New Jersey with rehabilitation, technology training, and support groups; operates a comparable integrated service model but in a different geography.
• Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS): St. Louis-area nonprofit serving young children with visual impairments through early intervention and family education; comparable peer on geographic and disability-services mission, though focused on a pediatric segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCotw9OG73Cjo3xG93eiDBUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/STLsocietyfortheblindandvisuallyimpaired
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-louis-society-for-the-blind
• Instagraminstagram.com/stl_society_for_the_blind

Compliance1 record

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 St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired