Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1937 that delivers free rehabilitation, education, employment, and assistive-technology services to blind and low-vision individuals across Hillsborough, Polk, and Hardee counties in Florida.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersTampa, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision does
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1937 (incorporated 1940) and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with a satellite center in Winter Haven. It serves blind and visually impaired individuals across Hillsborough, Polk, and Hardee counties, and operates the only comprehensive low-vision service center in the three-county region. It has been AER-accredited since 1976 and a partner of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) since 1975, giving it access to federal and military contracting channels.
The organization runs ten distinct programs: Early Intervention, Children's Program, Transition for Teens, Independent Living, Rehabilitation Engineering, Employment Services, Veterans Services, Accessibility Solutions, JAWS Scripting, and the Magnifiers & More retail store. The Rehabilitation Engineering function extends beyond the three-county footprint to serve clients statewide and nationally. JAWS Scripting and the Magnifiers & More store are the most productized offerings, monetized through accessibility consulting fees and retail assistive-device sales respectively, while the human-services programs (Early Intervention through Veterans Services) are delivered free of charge to clients.
Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The operating model is a hybrid of state contracts (primarily the Florida Division of Blind Services), United Way allocations, private foundation grants, corporate gifts (e.g., the 2025 Suncoast Credit Union Foundation grant), and individual donations. Leadership includes CEO Sheryl Brown and CFO Eric Schultheis. Cumulative impact claims include 637,000+ individuals gaining independence and 885,000 receiving employment-related services, with 1,327 clients supported annually through the local programs.
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision
- Legal name
- Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision, Inc.
- Website
- https://lighthouseblv.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1937 that delivers free rehabilitation, education, employment, and assistive-technology services to blind and low-vision individuals across Hillsborough, Polk, and Hardee counties in Florida.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vision Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Low Vision Rehabilitation (HLAKAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN), Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services (EDACAFAN)
Keywords
Where Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tampa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Nonprofit Funding and Grants: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is funded through multiple sources including Division of Blind Services (State of Florida, Dept. of Education), United Way of Central Florida, community development block grants (HUD via City of Tampa, Hillsborough County BOCC & Polk County BOCC), charitable foundations, private donors, and local community and civic clubs. All direct services are provided at no charge to eligible individuals.
- Individual Donations: Individual donations received through online donation forms (credit card or checking account), planned giving avenues including trusts, charitable gift annuities, bequests, retirement plan beneficiary designations, IRA charitable distributions, and stock/securities donations. EIN: 59-0637876.
- Corporate/Employer Accessibility Services: Consulting services and accessibility solutions provided to employers including businesses and government agencies. Services encompass ADA and Section 508 compliance, assistive technology solutions, and workplace accessibility consulting.
- Magnifiers & More Store Sales: Sale of low-vision aids and adaptive equipment including magnifiers, canes, accessible watches/clocks, assistive technology, kitchen aids, lighting, and stationery. Available to clients and open to the public. Store hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free services for eligible individuals with visual impairments |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision provides free, comprehensive rehabilitation programs and assistive technology services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired across all life stages (infants to seniors), including Early Intervention, Children's Program, Transition for Teens, Independent Living, Employment Services, and Veterans Services. The organization also delivers paid employer-facing services including accessibility audits, ADA/Section 508 compliance consulting, and custom JAWS screen reader scripting, while operating the Magnifiers & More retail store selling low-vision aids.
Product overview
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision operates as a nonprofit rehabilitation organization providing a comprehensive suite of life-stage programs and services for individuals with visual impairments. The portfolio spans Early Intervention (ages 0-5), Children's Program (ages 5-13), Transition for Teens (ages 14-21), Independent Living, Rehabilitation Engineering, Employment Services, and Veterans Services. For employers, the organization offers Accessibility Solutions and JAWS Scripting Services. Additionally, the Magnifiers & More Store provides retail assistive devices. All direct services are offered free of charge to eligible individuals, funded through the Division of Blind Services, United Way, and community sources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,327 people supported each year, locally and statewide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)corePartnered in 1975 with NIB to secure federal and military contracts, expanding employment opportunities for individuals who are blind. NIB awarded Tampa Lighthouse the 2013 Employment Growth Award.
- Disability Rights FloridaminorFree, independent advocacy for Division of Blind Services clients—helping understand services, protect rights, and resolve concerns. Contact: 1-800-342-0823 (voice) or 1-800-346-4127 (TDD). Services are free and independent of all state agencies.
- Southeast Guide DogsminorSoutheast Guide Dogs in Palmetto, FL (941-729-5665) is the closest guide dog training school to Lighthouse locations. Lighthouse does not train guide dogs but can refer clients.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB): NIB is a national nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind and operates AbilityOne federal contracting, with which Lighthouse has had a partnership since 1975. It is the most directly comparable national-scale peer operating in the same blind-employment and contracting mission space.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): AFB is a national nonprofit focused on advocacy, research, and resources for people with vision loss, including accessibility consulting and policy work. It complements Lighthouse's direct services with national-scale policy, research, and accessibility advocacy that overlap with Lighthouse's ADA/Section 508 employer offerings.
- VisionServe Alliance: VisionServe Alliance is a national membership consortium of nonprofit agencies serving people with vision loss, providing advocacy, professional development, and benchmarking. It is the broadest peer network connecting vision rehabilitation agencies like Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision.
Direct peers
- Alphapointe: Alphapointe is a Kansas City-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, education, and employment services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It mirrors Lighthouse's combined model of rehabilitation training, assistive technology, and employment placement.
- Lighthouse Guild: Lighthouse Guild in New York operates vision rehabilitation services, behavioral health, and integrated healthcare programs serving people with vision loss. It is a direct peer in offering comprehensive vision rehabilitation, technology training, and employment support for the blind/low-vision population.
- Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. (Seattle): Seattle-based Lighthouse for the Blind operates manufacturing, rehabilitation, and employment programs for people who are blind across the Pacific Northwest. It is a direct regional peer with a similar integrated manufacturing/employment-plus-rehabilitation offering.
Emerging players
- Level Access: Level Access is a for-profit digital accessibility platform and consulting firm providing enterprise ADA/Section 508 compliance audits. It competes directly with Lighthouse's corporate Accessibility Solutions offering in the employer-side services market.
- HumanWare: HumanWare is a global manufacturer of assistive technologies including video magnifiers, Braille displays, and low-vision devices sold through Lighthouse's Magnifiers & More Store. It is a product-side peer in the low-vision and assistive technology market.
- Vispero / Freedom Scientific: Vispero owns JAWS (Job Access With Speech), the screen reader for which Lighthouse provides custom scripting services. It is a meaningful adjacent/partner player whose product sits at the center of Lighthouse's JAWS Scripting Services offering.
Others
- Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER): AER is the professional membership body and accreditation council for vision rehabilitation professionals; Lighthouse has been AER-accredited since 1976. It functions as an accreditor, training resource, and professional community rather than a service competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision social profiles
Digital presenceLighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision 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 Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision
What does Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision do?
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision provides free, comprehensive rehabilitation programs and assistive technology services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired across all life stages (infants to seniors), including Early Intervention, Children's Program, Transition for Teens, Independent Living, Employment Services, and Veterans Services. The organization also delivers paid employer-facing services including accessibility audits, ADA/Section 508 compliance consulting, and custom JAWS screen reader scripting, while operating the Magnifiers & More retail store selling low-vision aids.
Is Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision a public or private company?
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision founded?
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision was founded in 1937. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision based?
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is headquartered in Tampa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Nonprofit Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate/Employer Accessibility Services and magnifiers & More Store Sales.
Who are Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Industries for the Blind (NIB), American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and VisionServe Alliance. Direct peers are Alphapointe, Lighthouse Guild and Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. (Seattle). Emerging players are Level Access, HumanWare and Vispero / Freedom Scientific. Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is listed as an others.
Does Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision.
What industry is Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision in?
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision's product category is Vision Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAJ, Low Vision Rehabilitation, with a secondary code of EDAKAIAF, Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 3851.