Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

NEWS UPDATE:

COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall with the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

You are invited to participate in a fully accessible and interactive virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall featuring Dr. Vanna Campion M.D., a board certified Family Medicine physician at Dignity Health, and moderated by Virginia Thompson, Director of Cross Disabilities and Technology at the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

When:   Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Time:     03:30 PM - 5:30 PM Arizona

Where:  This town hall event will be held over the zoom platform.  To participate, please register through the link below 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf--qpjsjHNbdMbcdYOEjHlWj7phy2Tz4 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information to join the meeting.

NOTE: For those needing Sign Language Interpreting, SSP services or other accomodations, please contact Virginia Thompson at vthompson@acbvi.org

CART captioning will be provided in the Zoom meeting.

UPDATE ON ACBVI REOPENING

Since March 2020, ACBVI has been adapting to the COVID-19 closures and restrictions to our operations, to keep our clients and staff safe and healthy.  Currently, the center has partially reopened with select clients receiving in-person training with full protective wear and social distancing guidelines in place for the client and the staff member.  More clients are receiving their trainings and interactions with ACBVI trainers and staff through a variety of virtual platforms and communication equipment.  Our social recreation program has been limited to virtual classes and interactions with no in-person visits, classes or meal service currently scheduled.  The building is currently restricted to visitors, with limited appointments for guests, only when a virtual meeting or appointment is not possible.  Mandatory face masks, use of personal protective equipment, social distancing and limited access in the building are being maintained. 

All reopening guidelines are being led by recommendations from the CDC and the Arizona State Department of Health through our reopening task force and executive team.  Our operational hours are from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday, and staff can be reached through our main agency number 602-273-7411 for questions and assistance. Most staff are working virtually at least part time and accessible by listed email and phone numbers for those individuals.

We are in constant evaluation of programs and services provided by ACBVI both virtually and in-person and changes and updates are provided through our social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter, and on our website COVID update page.  We look forward to providing services in full to our clients for their own path to independence with visual impairment.

PROGRAM UPDATE

Difficulties registering for the Covid-19 Vaccine?  ACBVI can help!

The Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) is ready to make sure people with vision loss or combined vision and hearing loss (CVHL) are able to register for Covid-19 vaccinations, thanks to a Valley of the Sun United Way grant to ensure everyone who is eligible has access to the immunizations. 

Because each situation is unique, ACBVI is prepared to be flexible with professionally trained staff ready to offer personal, individual assistance.  That means the organization is ready to help with anything from navigating the online or phone registration system to providing resources for finding assistance in transportation to the vaccination site.

ACBVI also can offer materials to explain what to expect through each step of the process.  For instance, during the vaccination process, recipients are typically asked to verify their information multiple times.  Knowing this can help people understand and prepare for whatever accommodations are needed.

In order to be eligible for vaccination, you must fall into the current phase as defined by age, profession or location by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).  Disabilities alone do not currently meet the eligibility requirements.

The fastest way to receive registration assistance is via email, established just for this purpose (vaccine@acbvi.org), but if necessary, people who need help can call 602-273-7411. 

Please help spread the word by sharing this information with anyone in Maricopa County who might need assistance. 

We want to ensure that being blind or visually impaired doesn't prevent anyone from being able to protect themselves from this virus.

Vaccine Registration Assistance:

Email:  vaccine@acbvi.org

Phone: 602-273-7411