Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind

What Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind does

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 that provides free vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired residents of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties in Florida. The organization operates two office locations — a headquarters in New Port Richey (Pasco County) and a satellite office in Brooksville (Hernando/Citrus) — and delivers programs across all age cohorts from birth through seniors. Its core programmatic portfolio includes the Babies Early Intervention Program, Children's Program (using the Expanded Core Curriculum model for ages 5-13), Teen Pre-Employment Transition Program (ages 14-22, including a 5-week intensive summer camp with paid work experience), Independent Living Skills Program, Adjustment to Vision Loss counseling, Orientation and Mobility Training (including white cane instruction), Vocational Rehabilitation, and an Employment Program anchored by the Lighthouse Production Facility (operational since 2012) that handles shipping services, battery and trash-can-liner production, and contract fulfillment.

The organization's technology footprint is built around third-party assistive technology platforms rather than proprietary systems. LVIB delivers training on commercial screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack), screen magnification tools (MAGic, ZoomText, Windows Magnifier), smart speakers (Amazon Echo, Google), and apps such as Microsoft's Seeing AI. It complements training with a CCTV borrowing program for low-vision clients and a retail channel — LVIB Stores — selling low vision aids, magnifiers, talking watches, large-print products, batteries, and trash can liners. The Production Facility operates under federal contracts developed with National Industries for the Blind, and product distribution is partially fulfilled through a partnership with RESPECT of Florida, a partner employment center.

LVIB is funded through a mix of partial government grants (Florida Division of Blind Services, Pasco County Community Development), United Way allocations (Pasco and Hernando Counties), foundation grants (Publix Super Markets Charities, Harper Family Foundation), individual donations (processed via PayPal, GiveSmart, and Square), in-kind gifts, and revenue from fundraising events and retail/shipping operations. All services to clients are provided free of charge. Annual fundraising events — the Chasco Coronation Ball (39th annual in 2026, raising more than $75,000), Bowling in the Dark (2nd annual in 2026), the Annual Teen Prom (state-wide, drawing nearly 70 teens from six Lighthouse organizations in 2026), and the White Cane Walk — function as both revenue and awareness channels. The organization is led by CEO Becky Bennett with a small staff (11-50 employees) supplemented by 167 volunteers who contributed 2,947 hours in fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Name

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind

Legal name

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, Inc.

Website

https://lvib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that provides free vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and employment services to blind and visually impaired residents of Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties in Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Port Richey, Florida

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and employs people who are visually impaired and blind through vision rehabilitation services. Its core offerings include assistive technology training (screen readers, magnification, smart speakers, smartphones), independent living skills instruction, orientation and mobility/white cane training, early intervention for children, pre-employment transition for teens, vocational rehabilitation, and an on-site Production Facility providing job readiness and employment. Complementary retail operations sell low vision aids and shipping services support employment for clients.

Product overview

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) is a nonprofit organization providing vision rehabilitation services through a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include the Assistive Technology Program (training on JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, MAGic, ZoomText, and smart speakers), Independent Living Skills Program, Children's Program (ages 5-13 using ECC model), Teen Pre-Employment Transition Program (ages 14-22), Babies Early Intervention Program (birth to 5), Employment Program with Production Facility, Vocational Rehabilitation Program, and Orientation and Mobility Training. These programs are complemented by LVIB Stores (retail low vision aids and batteries), Shipping Services, and seasonal Summer Camps. Annual events including the Teen Prom, Chasco Coronation Ball, Bowling in the Dark, and White Cane Walk raise funds and community awareness. The organization serves Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties in Florida, operating since 1983.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 167 volunteers provided 2,947 hours of service in fiscal year 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Respect of FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRESPECT of Florida is a partner employment center. Lighthouse is contracted to provide order fulfillment services through Respect of Florida. Government entities can purchase products from Respect of Florida website.
• National Industries for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighthouse Production Facility employment is contingent upon Federal contracts developed with National Industries for the Blind, along with corporate partnerships and community support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Cincinnati-based nonprofit providing rehabilitation, AT training, and employment services for people who are blind or have low vision — directly comparable regional Lighthouse-type organization.
• Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Grand Rapids, MI-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, low vision clinic services, and assistive technology training — comparable regional mission partner.
• Lighthouse Guild: New York-based nonprofit integrating vision rehabilitation with behavioral health and rehabilitation services, including AT training and employment programs for people with vision loss — directly comparable in mission and program mix.
• Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and employment services through a Production Facility under AbilityOne/NIB contracts — directly comparable to LVIB's full mission portfolio and operating model.
• VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired: NYC-based nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, independent living, AT training, and vocational/employment programs — directly comparable service portfolio for people who are blind or visually impaired.
• Center for Vision Loss: Allentown, PA-based nonprofit serving Lehigh Valley with vision rehabilitation, AT training, and employment services for people with vision loss — directly comparable mid-size regional agency model.
• Lighthouse Louisiana: Louisiana-based nonprofit providing independent living skills, AT training, and employment services for people who are blind or visually impaired — a directly comparable regional mission partner with a similar program structure.

Regional players

• Florida Division of Blind Services: Florida state government agency that funds and operates vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs for Floridians who are blind — a key funding partner of LVIB and a partial competitor for direct service delivery within the same state.

Others

• National Industries for the Blind: National nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind through AbilityOne federal contracts; LVIB's Production Facility operates under NIB federal contracts, making NIB a partner/ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• American Foundation for the Blind: National nonprofit providing advocacy, research, and resources on blindness and low vision — overlapping in mission space but operating as a broader advocacy/resource entity rather than a direct service provider like LVIB.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LighthouseVIB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LighthouseVIB
• Facebookfacebook.com/LighthousefortheV.I.Pasco.Hernando.Citrus
• Instagraminstagram.com/lighthousevib
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lighthouse-for-the-visually-impaired-and-blind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind