Colorado Center for the Blind

What Colorado Center for the Blind does

Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB) is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1988 and headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, approximately twelve miles south of downtown Denver. The organization delivers residential and community-based blindness-skills training to three primary participant segments: blind adults (18+) enrolled in the six-to-nine-month Independence Training Program (ITP); blind and low-vision youth (ages 4–21) served through year-round FAST programming, Confidence Camp/BELL Academy, and the No Limits to Learning summer residential program; and older blind adults (55+) served through Older Blind Services including weekly support groups and the Taking Charge multi-day program. Curriculum covers Braille instruction, certified cane travel and orientation, adaptive computer technology (screen readers, refreshable Braille displays), home management, woodshop and home maintenance, challenge recreation, and philosophy discussion groups, with nearly all instructors being blind themselves. Students in ITP and youth programs reside in or travel to CCB's owned McGeorge Mountain Terrace, a 24-unit furnished apartment complex first occupied in March 2012.

CCB operates a service-provider business model rather than a product/technology model. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants; youth programs and the adult ITP are typically funded by state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies as Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) or VR-funded training contracts, while organizational sustainability is supported by individual, family, corporate, and foundation donations channeled through an annual Colorado Gives Day campaign, planned giving/estates, and ongoing donor cultivation. Referrals flow primarily through state VR counselors, Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), and family/community word-of-mouth, supplemented by outreach at National Federation of the Blind events and via Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok channels. The center is affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind and adheres to NFB's Code of Conduct and Youth Protection Policy; ancillary partnerships with Arapahoe Community College, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Arapahoe County Master Gardeners, Designs by Sundown, and Cyber.org Project Access extend programming without proportionate internal investment. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the organization has no commercial product lines, no app, no API, and no AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Colorado Center for the Blind

Legal name

Colorado Center for the Blind

Website

https://cocenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Center for the Blind is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1988 in Littleton, Colorado, providing residential and community-based blindness-skills training (Braille, cane travel, adaptive technology, home management) to blind adults, youth, and seniors, with nearly all instructors being blind themselves.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Rehabilitation and Blindness Skills Training

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Accessibility & Assistive Technology IT Support (EDALAMAJ), Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Blindness skills training
• Adaptive technology training
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Orientation and mobility
• Braille instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Littleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: 501c3 nonprofit funded primarily through individual, family, corporate, and foundation donations. Annual Colorado Gives Day campaign generates significant donations; 2025 saw $64,526 in Colorado Gives Day donations with a $25,000 challenge match from Bob Bell family.
2. Vocational Rehabilitation Funding: Youth summer programs typically covered by state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs as Pre-ETS (Pre-Employment Transition Services). ITP program also frequently funded through VR.
3. Planned Giving and Estates: Planned giving program available for donors seeking long-term giving arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Colorado Center for the Blind delivers residential and non-residential blindness-skills training programs for blind children, working-age adults, and seniors 55+. Its core offerings are the multi-month Independence Training Program (ITP) for adults, year-round and summer Youth Programs including the No Limits to Learning summer residential program, and Older Blind Services such as the Taking Charge program, all centered on Braille, cane travel, adaptive technology, home management, woodshop, and challenge recreation training.

Product overview

The Colorado Center for the Blind is a world-renowned blindness-skills training center offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs for blind individuals of all ages. The organization operates primarily as a service provider rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include the Independence Training Program (ITP) for adults (a 6-9 month residential program), Youth Programs (including FAST, Confidence Camp, and No Limits to Learning summer residential programs), and Older Blind Services. These programs deliver training across multiple skill areas including Braille instruction, cane travel, computer and adaptive technology, home management, woodshop, challenge recreation, and discussion groups on blindness philosophy. The center also offers a College Prep course as part of ITP for students planning to attend college. All programs are designed to build independence, confidence, and self-determination in blind individuals, with nearly all instructors being blind themselves.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Independence Training Program (ITP) A comprehensive residential blindness-skills training program for blind adults 18+ lasting six to nine months, with students residing at Center-owned McGeorge Mountain Terrace apartments and training in Braille, cane travel, technology, home management, woodshop, challenge recreation, and discussion groups on blindness philosophy.
• Youth Programs Year-round and summer programs for blind youth ages 4 to college, including FAST (Fun Activities & Skills Training), Confidence Camp/BELL Academy, and the No Limits to Learning residential summer programs for teens ages 15–21.
• Older Blind Services Services for blind adults 55+ including independent living training, weekly support groups (virtual and in-person), technology training, cane travel instruction, and the Taking Charge comprehensive multi-day program.
• Training for Professionals on Blindness Professional training seminars for VR counselors, teachers of the visually impaired, and other professionals, covering blindness causes, alternative techniques, sleepshade use, and myth-busting.
• College Prep A 9-week course within the ITP for students planning to attend college, covering academic readiness, note-taking strategies, alternate formats, disability rights laws, VR processes, and campus travel.
• FAST (Fun Activities & Skills Training) Year-round monthly program for blind youth and their families featuring cooking, Braille, independent travel, technology, and recreational activities.
• No Limits to Learning Summer residential blindness-skills program for blind teens ages 15–21, available in 3-week and 6-week options, with the 6-week option including travel to attend the National Federation of the Blind Convention.
• Computer & Adaptive Technology Training Training in adaptive technology including screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic note-takers for blind students.
• Braille Instruction Braille training tailored to student needs, ranging from beginning Braille to mathematical, music, and computer codes, and linked to successful employment outcomes.
• Cane Travel Program Focused mobility training in cane travel, including public transportation (bus, light rail), intersection crossing, and techniques taught by certified mobility instructors.
• Home Management Training in cooking, meal planning, budgeting, shopping, sewing, gardening, and organizing the home, culminating in students preparing a graduation meal for 50+ people.
• Woodshop & Home Maintenance Training in woodshop skills using hand and power tools, plus basic household repairs such as fixing faucets and hanging pictures, taught using nonvisual techniques.
• Challenge Recreation Adventurous activities including rock climbing, skiing, white-water rafting, and hiking designed to build confidence in blind individuals.
• Discussion Groups on Blindness Daily philosophy sessions addressing myths and perceptions about blindness, self-advocacy skills, and building confidence in oneself as a blind person.
• Taking Charge Program Multi-day comprehensive training program for older blind adults covering Braille, cane travel, technology, and home management in a supportive peer environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students gain confidence, independence, and pride as blind people
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProudly affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind. Subject to NFB Code of Conduct. Students attend NFB National Convention as part of 6-week summer program. CCB follows NFB's Youth Protection Policy. Relationship provides legitimacy, philosophy alignment, and access to national network.
• Arapahoe Community CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on annual shark dissection for blind youth. College Prep class includes tours of 2- and 4-year campuses in Denver Metro area. Some students placed at ACC for work experience. Students visit ACC Student Access Services for disability accommodations training.
• Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring program for CSDB students. Host Braille Challenge competitions. Students and staff from CSDB participate in CCB events and training.
• Arapahoe County Master GardenersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for Legacy Garden planting at CCB. Master Gardeners work with students on gardening activities.
• Designs by SundownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape design partner that helped establish CCB's Legacy Garden.
• Cyber.org Project AccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-day coding/robotics camp using BBC Microbits for blind students. Part of Cyber.org's mission to ensure all students have access to cybersecurity education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Winnetka, IL-based nonprofit delivering blindness-skills and adaptive technology education primarily through distance learning and online courses. Comparable assistive-tech curriculum and adult learner focus, with a distributed rather than residential delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins School for the Blind: Watertown, MA-based historic nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired children, youth, and adults with education, rehabilitation, and outreach services. Broader scope and international reach, but overlapping assistive-tech, independent-living, and transition-age programming.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): The national umbrella organization to which CCB is affiliated; runs its own national convention, advocacy, and youth programs that channel prospective students and instructors to affiliated centers like CCB. Comparable mission and target audience, with broader advocacy, training, and program scope across the U.S.

Direct peers

• Leader Dogs for the Blind: Rochester Hills, MI nonprofit providing residential mobility training (including guide dog instruction) and independent living programs for blind adults and teens. Comparable VR-funded residential training model with similar target population and program length.
• The Lighthouse for the Blind (Seattle): Seattle-based 501c3 serving people who are blind or low vision through rehabilitation, senior programs, youth services, and an affiliated manufacturing business. Comparable mission and program portfolio, with a more diversified employment-oriented revenue model.
• The Chicago Lighthouse: Chicago-based nonprofit serving people who are blind, visually impaired, DeafBlind, or disabled with rehabilitation, assistive technology, and senior programs. Overlaps with CCB on adaptive tech training, older blind services, and VR-funded programming at a larger urban scale.
• The Carroll Center for the Blind: Newton, MA-based nonprofit offering residential and commuter blindness-skills training, assistive technology, and youth services to blind adults and students. Closely comparable product mix (Braille, cane travel, technology) and VR-referred customer base.
• VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: NYC-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, adaptive technology, and senior vision-loss services to blind and low-vision residents across the lifespan. Directly comparable adult and older-blind service mix, with similar VR and private-pay revenue dynamics.
• Louisiana Center for the Blind: Operates a similarly structured NFB-affiliated residential blindness-skills training program in Ruston, LA with comparable adult, youth, and senior offerings and a philosophy of blind-led instruction. Directly comparable operating model, customer base, and revenue mix (VR funding plus donations).

Regional players

• Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB): State-supported rehabilitation and education institution serving individuals who are deaf, blind, or DeafBlind across Alabama, including youth and adult blindness-skills training. Comparable services to CCB but funded and operated under a state mandate rather than as an independent nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cocenterorg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/coloradocenterfortheblind
• TikToktiktok.com/@cocenter4blind
• Xx.com/cocenter4blind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-center-for-the-blind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Colorado Center for the Blind