May 1, 2008

7:00 p.m.

Opera in Midtown Atlanta

Click here for directions to Opera

We are pleased to announce that the 2008 True Blue Do will be held at an exciting new location—Opera in Midtown Atlanta! Be a True Blue Friend of CVI and join us for an evening of live entertainment, delicious food, open bar, and the chance to win exclusive door prizes. For more information about sponsorships or to purchase tickets, please contact Lauren Coffey via e-mail or at 404-875-9011, ext. 4276.

True Blue Sponsors

Laura & Montague Boyd Foundation

Comcast

Richard & Cathryn DuBow

XOsphere, Inc.

Midnight Blue Sponsors

AirTran Airways

AT&T Georgia

Brand Properties

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

Frances Kuniansky and Dr. Jerry Berman

Verizon

Click here to see pictures from the 2007 True Blue Do!

VisAbility

See What You've Been Missing at VisAbility! Now Open...

View media coverage from the VisAbility store grand opening celebration!

CVI has opened VisAbility—a nonprofit, accessible, street-level retail shop catering to the needs of people of all ages that have vision loss. The only store of its kind in the Southeast, VisAbility provides immediate access to low vision aids, assistive technology and other adaptive devices that will allow people with vision loss to maintain independent lifestyles. VisAbility is located on the first floor of CVI's Midtown Atlanta facility.

For Georgians with vision loss who need aids and devices in order to navigate daily life, getting those life-changing items can be a problem. Historically, products such as bold-lined paper, video magnifiers and other vision aids were ordered through print or online catalogs—a challenge for many people with vision loss. It's not like you can walk into a store, get expert advice and have opportunities to "try before you buy." That has changed!

VisAbility Products

VisAbility carries useful items that promote independent living for people of all ages with vision loss. Ranging from practical household gadgets to whimsical toys for kids to accessible computer equipment for school or work, VisAbility has something for everyone.

VisAbility’s inventory has been carefully selected with the help of focus groups of people who are visually impaired and their family members as well as input from vision rehabilitation professionals at the Center for the Visually Impaired. Inventory will change regularly to meet the needs of VisAbility guests. We’re always interested in our guests’ needs, so please let us know if you can’t find what you’re looking for at VisAbility.

More than 750 VisAbility products are available in the following departments:

Assistive Technology
Books, DVD, VHS and Audio Tapes
Braille Items
Canes, Cane Tips and Accessories
Children’s Products – Cards, Games and Toys
Watches and Clocks
Low Vision Items – Eyewear, Magnifiers and Lamps
Home Health Care and Medical Aids
Kitchen and Cooking Aids
Labeling, Marking and Identification Aids

A New Way to Shop for Vision Products

VisAbility gives guests the opportunity to shop by touch and auditory information for hundreds of items previously unavailable in Atlanta. Need a braille watch? At VisAbility, you can see how various styles fit before you purchase one. Looking for a talking kitchen timer, calculator or blood pressure monitor? At VisAbility, you can listen to it and learn how it works before you decide to buy. Trying to decide which magnifier is best for you? VisAbility will offer a full range of magnification products. If needed, CVI’s professional staff can help you understand what products will help you meet your goals. Through CVI’s low vision clinic and many specific training classes, guests can learn how to use items they would like to purchase at VisAbility.

VisAbility offers frequent product demonstrations including assistive technology products such as video magnifiers, software including JAWS and Zoomtext, and GPS tracking systems.

Meet the VisAbility Team

Director

Penny Williams, an accomplished professional with more than 20 years of retail experience, has spent the past six months at CVI planning to give consumers who are visually impaired an accessible shopping experience at VisAbility. Prior to joining CVI, Penny worked for seven years with Turner Broadcasting, where her accomplishments included the launch of The Inside CNN Store in New York, renovations of The Turner Store at CNN Center in Atlanta, and oversight of daily operations for both stores.

Assistant Manager

Lisa Pope brings more than 17 years of work experience to VisAbility, including the management of four gift and specialty stores at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and most recently, two and a half years as a sales associate with a major jewelry retailer. Lisa also has experience in marketing and event planning.

VisAbility Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Blind/Sight:
Conversations with the Visually Inspired

Photographs and stories by Billy Howard
Illustrations by Laurie Shock

Portrait of Cliff Hembree with his black Lab guide dog, Sampson. Cartoon-like image of arms and legs on a dark background with green specks.
Above: Cliff Hembree, former police officer, who lost his sight in the the line of duty, and an illustration depicting Cliff's visual hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Meet twelve remarkable people with visual impairments who illuminate the world they see and reveal the depth of spirit in all of us.

Exhibit now open at the Center for the Visually Impaired

Go to audio described video slide show

Media Releases