Saavi

What Saavi does

Saavi Services for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 86-6056057) founded in 1965 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, that delivers non-visual skills training to blind and low-vision individuals across the state. The organization operates two physical training centers — one in Tucson (3350 E. Grant Rd.) and one in Phoenix (2920 N 7th St.) — and serves more than 2,000 individuals annually through a portfolio of programs spanning preschool through seniors. These programs include the Comprehensive Day Program (CDP) for adults, Ready Set Go (RSG) summer residential program for high schoolers, Extended School Year (ESY), NFB BELL Academy, STEM2U, Northern Arizona Retreats, and the ABC (Ability Builds Confidence) introductory program.

The organization's core instructional technology is the Structured Discovery methodology, a non-visual teaching approach delivered by blind role-model instructors and grounded in a positive philosophy of blindness. Saavi maintains a foundational partnership with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) for curriculum and instructor pipeline, and it operates as a community rehabilitation provider under the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA), channeling state Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living program funding to participants. Curricula span braille, orientation and mobility, access technology (screen readers, braille displays, OCR, note-taking devices), home management, and job readiness.

Saavi's revenue model is a hybrid of government rehabilitation funding and charitable contributions. Services are provided free to participants who enroll through AZRSA, and the organization supplements this with individual, family, and community donations, plus seasonal campaigns including AZ Gives Day and GivingTuesday. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Charity Navigator Four Star Rating. Distribution is direct via the two training centers and the AZRSA counselor referral network, supported by multi-channel marketing including a website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok), and the Saavi Scoop email newsletter.

Name

Saavi

Legal name

Saavi Services for the Blind

Website

https://saavi.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Saavi Services for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two Arizona training centers that deliver free non-visual skills training and Structured Discovery methodology programs to more than 2,000 blind and low-vision individuals annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blindness Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), AT Implementation, Coaching & Professional Development (Teachers/Staff) (EDAKAIAI)

Keywords

• Blindness rehabilitation services
• Non-visual skills training
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Braille education
• Access technology training

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Saavi relies on the generosity of community partners, individual donors, and family donors who provide financial support throughout the year. The organization also participates in Arizona Gives Day and GivingTuesday campaigns.
2. Government Rehabilitation Services Funding: Services are provided free to participants through the Vocational Rehabilitation program. Students need to enroll in the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA) with the Department of Economic Security to access most programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Saavi Services for the Blind is a nonprofit that delivers Structured Discovery–based non-visual skills training to blind and low-vision individuals across Arizona through two training centers in Phoenix and Tucson. Programs cover braille, access technology, orientation and mobility, independent living, home management, and job readiness, with services provided free to participants enrolled through the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Product overview

Saavi Services for the Blind is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of non-visual skills training programs and services for blind and low vision individuals across Arizona. The organization operates two training centers in Phoenix and Tucson, providing services through distinct programs including the Comprehensive Day Program (CDP) for adults, Ready Set Go (RSG) summer camp for high school students, Extended School Year (ESY) for K-12 students, NFB BELL Academy for preschool through 8th graders, and STEM2U for STEM education. These programs collectively deliver instruction in access technology, braille, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, home management, and job readiness using the Structured Discovery methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABC (Ability Builds Confidence): A program for restoring independence after vision loss through free weekly classes in Phoenix and Tucson.

Products and services

• Comprehensive Day Program (CDP) A comprehensive day program providing non-visual skills training for blind adults, covering braille, access technology, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, and job readiness training, delivered free to participants through Arizona's Vocational Rehabilitation program.
• Ready Set Go (RSG) Summer Residential Camp A residential summer program for 9th-12th graders who are blind or low-vision, where students live and learn in fully furnished apartments to prepare for college living and independence.
• Extended School Year (ESY) Program A program for students in grades K-12 in the Maricopa area that supports maintaining academic and blindness-related skills learned during the school year.
• NFB BELL Academy (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning) A summer Braille enrichment academy for students Preschool through 8th Grade, offered in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind.
• STEM2U Program A National Federation of the Blind program that brings accessible STEM lessons and activities to blind youth, providing non-visual tools and techniques for exploring STEM education and careers.
• Northern Arizona Retreats Three-day retreats providing training, resources, and community connections for blind or low-vision individuals, including hands-on learning, presentations, and overnight stays.
• Nonvisual Skills Training Core instruction in access technology (screen readers, braille displays, OCR, note-taking devices), braille, orientation and mobility, independent living skills, home management, and job readiness, delivered through the Structured Discovery methodology.
• ABC (Ability Builds Confidence) A free, weekly introductory program for restoring independence after vision loss, available as classes in Phoenix and Tucson.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaavi maintains a strong partnership with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to provide nationally recognized training grounded in Structured Discovery and a positive philosophy of blindness. This partnership enables Saavi to offer programs including NFB BELL Academy, NFB STEM2U, and access to blind role models as instructors and mentors.
• Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (AZRSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaavi is a community rehabilitation provider for the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), offering services under the Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living programs. Students typically need to enroll through AZRSA to access free services at Saavi.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit delivering vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and training services for people with vision loss. Overlaps with Saavi on independent living, AT training, and employment support, with broader geographic reach.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Illinois-based nonprofit focused on distance and online education for blind adults and seniors, including braille, AT, and independent living. Highly comparable to Saavi's adult/senior training portfolio and offers a potential digital-channel benchmark.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indiana-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, training, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Directly comparable in employment-readiness and independence training for blind adults.
• VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: New York-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, independent living, and employment services for blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages. Directly comparable to Saavi in mission, lifespan-coverage approach, and VR-funded service delivery model.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Historic Massachusetts-based school and international nonprofit serving blind and visually impaired children and youth, including those with multiple disabilities. Comparable to Saavi's youth programs (BELL Academy, ESY, Ready Set Go) and Structured Discovery-aligned pedagogy.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based nonprofit combining vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, and employment programs for blind and low-vision individuals. Overlaps directly with Saavi's CDP-style adult training and AT offerings.
• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI): Ohio-based nonprofit delivering vision rehabilitation, AT, and employment services. Directly comparable lifespan-coverage model and VR-funded program structure to Saavi.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): National nonprofit focused on employment and manufacturing opportunities for blind individuals across the US. Adjacent rather than overlapping; Saavi's employment-readiness programs feed into the kind of workforce NIB represents.
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Kentucky-based nonprofit producing educational materials, braille, and AT products for blind learners nationally. A broader ecosystem player that supplies the tools and curricula underlying training programs like Saavi's.

Regional players

• Lighthouse of Houston: Texas-based nonprofit providing independent living, AT, and vocational training for blind adults. Comparable service mix to Saavi but operates in a different geography, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/getsaavi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrOn0THAcnUbs2UeF84UFcw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/GetSAAVI
• Instagraminstagram.com/wearesaavi
• TikToktiktok.com/@saaviservicesfortheblind
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saavi-services-for-the-blind

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Saavi