Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Supporting the Visually Impaired in Pennsylvania
Founded in 1910, the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (PAB) has dedicated over a century to improving the lives of Pennsylvanians with visual impairments. As the nation's only statewide private nonprofit organization focused on blindness services, we coordinate a network of 25 member agencies that collectively serve more than 60,000 individuals annually. Our expertise spans customized instruction for families, veterans, and older adults, alongside blindness prevention programs for the general population. With deep roots in the community and a proven track record, we specialize in connecting individuals with tailored resources and advocacy.Our leadership team brings decades of specialized experience in vision care services, ensuring effective program delivery across Pennsylvania's diverse regions. We maintain rigorous standards through transparent operations and strategic fund management, maximizing public and private resources to benefit our member agencies. Our commitment to innovation drives continuous development of new training techniques and accessibility solutions for underserved populations.
Services
Training Services
Vision Screenings
Community Awareness
Conference Programs
Equipment Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1910
Highlights and features
- 110+ years of specialized experience serving visually impaired individuals
- Network of 25 member agencies across Pennsylvania
- Customized support for families, veterans, and older adults
- Blindness prevention programs for general population
- Proven track record in resource coordination and advocacy
Services
Training Services
We provide customized training programs for individuals with visual impairments, focusing on daily living skills and independence. Our experienced instructors deliver personalized instruction tailored to specific needs, whether for children, veterans, or older adults. These programs help participants build confidence and maintain quality of life through practical skill development.
Vision Screenings
Our preschool vision screening programs identify potential vision issues early in children's development. The community education component teaches eye safety practices to prevent vision loss. These preventive measures help reduce long-term visual impairment cases across Pennsylvania through early intervention and public awareness.
Community Awareness
Launching in 2026, our community awareness initiatives will expand public education about visual impairments. The programs aim to increase understanding and accessibility for visually impaired individuals in local communities. By promoting inclusion and providing resources, we work to create more supportive environments for people with vision challenges.
Conference Programs
Annual conferences connect agencies serving visually impaired individuals through knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities. While some sessions focus on internal database management for member agencies, other programming provides valuable professional development for vision care professionals statewide. These events foster innovation and best practices across the vision services network.
Equipment Assistance
We help provide essential equipment to individuals who cannot afford accessibility tools on their own. This support enables better access to daily living resources and independence-enhancing technologies. Our donation-funded equipment programs ensure financial barriers don't prevent access to critical vision assistance tools.
People
Daniel M. Zalewski, Jr.
Executive Director
Daniel Zalewski leads Pennsylvania Association for the Blind with over 25 years of nonprofit management experience. He oversees statewide operations and strategic direction while maintaining direct communication with member agencies. His leadership focuses on expanding service accessibility and optimizing resource allocation for vision programs.
Arletta J. Shenfeld
Director of Programs and Administration
Arletta Shenfeld manages program development and administrative operations at PAB. With extensive experience in vision services administration, she ensures effective implementation of training programs and community initiatives. Her work focuses on maintaining high service standards across all member agencies statewide.
Questions
What services does PAB offer for visually impaired individuals?
We provide customized training, vision screenings, equipment assistance, and community programs through our network of 25 member agencies across Pennsylvania.
How can I refer someone for services?
Use our online referral form to connect individuals with local vision services agencies in their Pennsylvania county.
Does PAB accept donations?
Yes, we accept tax-deductible donations through our secure PayPal portal to support vision programs and equipment assistance.
How many people does PAB serve annually?
Our network serves over 60,000 Pennsylvanians with visual impairments through member agency programs each year.
Are there membership requirements for agencies?
Our annual conferences welcome all vision service organizations, though some sessions are restricted to member agencies for database discussions.
What areas does PAB cover?
We operate statewide across all Pennsylvania counties through our network of local member agencies.