BALANCE for Blind Adults

What BALANCE for Blind Adults does

BALANCE for Blind Adults is a Toronto-based charitable non-profit organization founded in 1984 that delivers rehabilitation, training, and community programs to blind and partially sighted adults across Ontario, Canada. Its service portfolio spans six integrated verticals: Rehabilitation Services (orientation and mobility, adaptive daily living skills); Assistive Technology training and workshops (screen readers including JAWS, VoiceOver, NVDA, ZoomText; smartphones; Braille displays; smart glasses including Ray-Ban Meta and OrCam MyEye; OCR apps such as Seeing AI and Envision Ally); Employment Programs (the five-week Pre-Employment Program funded by United Way Greater Toronto, and the WorkingBlind.ca documentary resource portal); Mental Health Support & Wellness (virtual support groups, pop-ups, resilience workshops, individual counselling); Organizational Training (Insight Training using simulation goggles and sighted-guide techniques for employers, schools, museums, and service agencies); and Community Programs including the Living Blind Podcast and the annual Because of BALANCE fundraising campaign. Programs are delivered one-on-one, in group workshops, and virtually, with the AT Apprenticeship Program offering a 250-hour employment pathway where graduates become instructors.

The organization is structured as a registered Canadian charity (Charitable Number 132784851 RR0001) and provides all client-facing services at no cost. Its revenue model is a non-profit mix of government funding (covering basic operations), foundation grants (including a United Way Greater Toronto anchor grant for the Pre-Employment Program), corporate sponsorship (CIBC Foundation, iA Financial Group, HumanWare, Clean Logic, Astellas, Eye Recommend), individual donations (annual Because of BALANCE campaign raised $79,438 in 2025 against a $65,000 goal), legacy giving, and gifts of securities. Go-to-market is community-led: clients access services via a website Request Services form, phone, and email, and are referred through partnerships with CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, University of Toronto Blueprint Career Services, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, and other community organizations.

In 2024 BALANCE appointed Michelle McQuigge as its first blind CEO, transitioned to virtual-first operations while developing a new office, and expanded two services province-wide across Ontario from its original Greater Toronto Area footprint. The organization operates with 1–10 employees and is headquartered at 2340 Dundas Street West, Unit G-06, Toronto. Its competitive position rests on 40+ years of community trust, lived-experience leadership and instructional staff, and incumbency with major Canadian funders rather than on proprietary technology or revenue scale.

Name

BALANCE for Blind Adults

Legal name

BALANCE for Blind Adults

Website

https://balancefba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BALANCE for Blind Adults is a Toronto-based registered charity providing free rehabilitation, assistive technology training, employment preparation, mental health support, and community programs to blind and partially sighted adults across Ontario, Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

Keywords

• Vision rehabilitation services
• Assistive technology training
• Orientation and mobility
• Disability employment programs
• Mental health support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

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. Government Funding: Core operational funding from government sources covers basic operations and enables service delivery to blind and partially sighted adults in the Greater Toronto Area.
2. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting BALANCE programs. The Because of BALANCE annual campaign raised $79,438 surpassing a $65,000 goal. Donations are matched by anonymous donors.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support specific programs, events, and community initiatives. Organizations like CIBC Foundation, iA Financial Group, HumanWare, and Clean Logic have provided financial support for programs like the AT Apprenticeship.
4. Foundation Grants: United Way Greater Toronto funds the Pre-Employment Program. Other foundation grants support expansion and specific program development including mental health, wellness, and employment services.
5. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through wills and estate gifts allowing donors to leave a portion of their estate to support BALANCE's future work.
6. Gift of Securities: Donations of stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares accepted as tax-effective charitable giving where capital gains tax is eliminated.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BALANCE for Blind Adults provides free rehabilitation, training, and community programs for blind and partially sighted adults. Core offerings include Orientation and Mobility training, Adaptive Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology instruction (screen readers, smartphones, Braille displays), a 250-hour AT Apprenticeship Program, a five-week Pre-Employment Program funded by United Way Greater Toronto, Mental Health Support & Wellness groups, and Insight Training for organizations. Services are delivered one-on-one, in groups, in-person in Toronto, and virtually across Ontario.

Product overview

BALANCE for Blind Adults is a nonprofit organization operating from Toronto, Ontario, that provides rehabilitation, training, and community programs for blind and partially sighted adults. The organization functions as a service-delivery nonprofit rather than a single software product — its portfolio consists of multiple distinct programs and service modules that address different life domains affected by vision loss. Core programs include: Rehabilitation Services (Orientation and Mobility, Adaptive Daily Living Skills); Assistive Technology Training services (including the AT Apprenticeship Program and Assistive Technology Workshops); Employment Programs (the Pre-Employment Program and WorkingBlind.ca online resource portal); Mental Health Support & Wellness; Organizational Training (Insight Training); and Community Programs. The organization also produces the Living Blind Podcast and hosts the annual Because of BALANCE fundraising campaign. Services are delivered in-person in Toronto and virtually across Ontario, funded through government support, foundation grants, corporate sponsors, and individual donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WorkingBlind.ca: An initiative providing practical insights into vision loss and work, featuring documentary-style videos and resources for jobseekers, employers, and service providers.
• Living Blind Podcast

Products and services

• Rehabilitation Services
• Assistive Technology Training
• Assistive Technology Workshops
• AT Apprenticeship Program
• Pre-Employment Program
• WorkingBlind.ca
• Mental Health Support and Wellness
• Organizational Training (Insight Training)
• Community Programs (Groups and Events)
• Living Blind Podcast
• Low Vision Speaker Series

Quantifiable outcome

• $79,438 raised in 2025 annual campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.

• ABC Life Literacy CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner listed on Pre-Employment Program page.
• Jumpstart Refugee TalentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Pre-Employment Program supporting refugee talent with vision loss.
• WEST Neighbourhood HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing neighbourhood-based support services.
• March of Dimes Canada (Skilling Up and Employment Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for employment services and skills training.
• University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies, Blueprint Career ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for career services and employment support.
• Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for rehabilitation and work programs.
• Spinal Cord Injury OntariominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for disability services.
• CNIB Come To WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for employment programs supporting people with vision loss.
• Eye RecommendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Low Vision Speaker Series with BALANCE, bringing together leading voices in vision care, accessibility, and inclusive mental health.
• AstellassupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenter sponsor of the Low Vision Speaker Series annual webinar.
• Toronto Chamber ChoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the Musical Vision concert program about blind musicians and composers. BALANCE was a proud partner on the concert.
• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization that received Insight Training from BALANCE for front-of-house teams to create more accessible museum experience.
• United Boxing ClubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerToronto gym that hosted BALANCE's six-week boxing program for blind adults.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): Canada's largest blindness and vision loss nonprofit, providing rehabilitation, AT training, employment, and community programs nationwide. Directly overlaps with BALANCE's core service areas and is explicitly listed as a BALANCE partner.
• March of Dimes Canada: National disability nonprofit providing employment services, skills training, and accessibility programs. Listed as a BALANCE community partner for the Pre-Employment Program and serves a comparable disability employment niche.
• DeafBlind Ontario Services: Ontario nonprofit delivering intervenor services, rehabilitation, and community programs for people who are DeafBlind. Closely mirrors BALANCE's lived-experience staffing model and Ontario-wide service delivery approach.
• Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada: Specialty rehabilitation services provider for Canadians with vision loss, delivering orientation and mobility, AT training, and daily living skills. Operates in the same service categories as BALANCE with significantly greater geographic reach.
• Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB): National consumer advocacy and peer-support organization for Canadians with sight loss; BALANCE's Board Chair Keith Gordon is Senior Research Officer at CCB, evidencing close operational and community overlap.
• Spinal Cord Injury Ontario: Disability services nonprofit providing peer support, employment, and accessibility programs in Ontario. Listed as a BALANCE partner and serves a parallel disability-services operating model in the same province.
• JBI International (Jewish Braille Institute): International nonprofit providing accessible library, Braille, and AT learning resources for people who are blind or print-disabled. Overlaps with BALANCE's AT training and accessible-content mission.

Broad incumbents

• Lighthouse Guild: U.S. nonprofit integrating vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and AT training. Similar multi-disciplinary approach combining rehabilitation, mental health, and technology services for the blind community.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic U.S.-based institution serving blind individuals through education, rehabilitation, and international programs. Comparable whole-person service model but operates at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth than BALANCE.

Regional players

• MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre: Quebec-based rehabilitation center serving people with vision and hearing impairments, offering AT training, mobility, and adapted daily living services. Operates the same rehabilitation model as BALANCE but in a different Canadian province.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM-tRao9tWCE2-5c3TrRGEg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/balanceforblindadults
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/balance-for-blind-adults
• Instagraminstagram.com/balanceforblindadults
• Xx.com/balancefba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 BALANCE for Blind Adults