About Us | Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired

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Why CABVI?

Beginning over 100 years ago with a small group of men who made brooms and mops, today’s Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired offers employment opportunities for individuals with vision loss in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area across a range of enterprises, as well as a variety of vision and information services that foster independence and inclusion. CABVI is a private, non-profit organization that relies on the generous giving of our donors. Our goal is to always be a dynamic organization that continues to grow and change to the meet the needs of an increasing number of people who need our services. As we move forward, we’ll be faced with the challenges of identifying new sources of revenue to maintain long-term sustainability, working to increase offerings to underserved, underutilized and disadvantaged individuals, finding ways to create new markets and new products, and developing comprehensive plans to help maintain the viability of our Social Enterprises.

Mission & Value Statements

OUR MISSION

Empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with opportunities to seek independence.

OUR VISION

Ensuring full lives and community inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS

CABVI’s strategic plan sets forth a foundation guiding us through 2026. The plan focuses on five distinct objectives:

Strengthen community impact by attracting, engaging, and empowering people and partnerships.
- Cultivate and grow relationships in support of mission and business strategies.
- Advance advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.
Enhance the lives of individuals with visual impairments by delivering quality services.
- Place a priority on individuals adversely affected by Social Determinants of Health.
- Maximize effectiveness of existing service.
- Explore new opportunities and initiatives to expand service offering.
Enhance the employment life cycle of CABVI team members.
- Create career pathways supporting engagement and retention.
- Enrich the foundations and strategies of CABVI’s DEIA initiatives.
- Strengthen a culture that reflects CABVI’s core values and enhances the employee experience.
Evolve work processes and capabilities expanding CABVI’s capacity to serve.
- Improve process efficiencies to reduce waste.
- Optimize software systems, fully utilizing the new ERP, to boost performance.
Assure mission delivery through financial stability.
- Identify, attract, and win new business
- Grow fund development and support.
- Bolster business line profitability (% Gross Margin/% Net Margin/Dividends).

OUR VALUES

We value each individual with their unique needs and experiences, serving all with diligence, understanding and respect.

COMPASSION

We value each individual with their unique needs and experiences, serving all with diligence, understanding and respect.

HOPE

We are optimistic and work to achieve a brighter future for our clients, customers, and stakeholders.

OPPORTUNITY

We remove barriers to dreams and provide choices for individual growth, future possibilities, and economic independence.

INTEGRITY

We do what is right and ethical in all our actions and relationships.

COLLABORATION

We value the talents and expertise of our employees and other members of our community realizing…
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

EMPOWERMENT

We empower people with knowledge, tools, and support to achieve their individual goals and create an enhanced quality of life.

Our History

1911 The Cincinnati Association for the Welfare of the Blind is founded to employ and assist people who are blind.
1946 Agency changes name to Cincinnati Association for the Blind.
1960s Cincinnati Association for the Blind initiates several rehabilitation services.
1980s Computer access services and early childhood and youth services are established.
1998 Radio Reading Services of Greater Cincinnati (RRS) joins Cincinnati Association for the Blind.
2001 Our base supply center, OFFICE RUNWAY, opens for business at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
2004 Board of Trustees approves a new name for the agency – Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI).
2013 CABVI launches a new social enterprise, CincySight Office products.
2016 CABVI establishes a new Contract Management Support (CMS) Services operation at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
2016 CincySight is rebranded as VIE Ability.
2017 CABVI opens Hornbeck Social Enterprise Center, increasing operations by more than 75%.
2022 CABVI acquired Route Transportation and Logistics, Inc., marking the 1st acquisition in CABVI’s history.

Leadership team consists of seven team member

Commitment and Experience

Our leadership team brings together a group of dedicated professionals with years of experience in not-for-profit, health, business and civic organizations.

Our Team