Community Connections

We believe thriving means more than simply improving your skills—it also means opportunities to enjoy yourself in all that life has to offer. At VisionLink, we partner with some of the region’s most notable organizations to help you discover new interests and reconnect with activities you enjoyed in the past. This is one of our most important roles in helping you shape and refine your goals for independent living.

The VisionLink community also helps you make new personal connections, whether in a support group with others facing similar challenges, casual time with peers in less-structured settings, or social outings and activities.

Collaborative Partnerships

Art-Reach

Art-Reach creates, advocates for, and expands accessible opportunities in the arts so the full spectrum of society is served. As an Art-Reach Agency Member, VisionLink is able to provide discounted tickets to a variety of music, dance, museum, and theater events. Art-Reach also provides hands-on workshops, visits, and activities to VisionLink clients.

Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP)

We work with LAMP to provide accessible programs, materials, and services to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Through the Culinary Literacy Center’s Cookability Program, individuals who are blind and low vision learn about food and cooking and participate in hands-on cooking classes that incorporate adaptive approaches to buying, growing, and preparing food. VisionLink is proud to work with LAMP, which serves Pennsylvania residents who are legally blind, deaf-blind, visually impaired, physically impaired, or reading-impaired.

Jefferson Health

VisionLink is fortunate to work with Jefferson Health in many ways to provide opportunities to the individuals we serve.

Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD)

LCD provides free legal services to low-income people with disabilities. They also provide onsite workshops at VisionLink regarding credit recovery, Power of Attorney documents, living wills, and other legal documents.

The Philadelphia Ballet

The Philadelphia Ballet conducts workshops at VisionLink on the physical technique and artistry of ballet and movement. Participants are encouraged to tell their stories through physical art forms, challenging the idea that communication needs to be verbal or visual. Participants also gain an understanding of the physical health benefits that consistent movement has on the body and mind.

Opera Philadelphia

VisionLink works with Opera Philadelphia staff and performers  to provide unique experiences such as audio-described performances, touch tours and introductory workshops about opera.

VisionLink clients can participate in any of our community programs!

Email Lee Cannady, our Manager, Enrollment and Referral, or call us at (215) 627-0600.

Email Us

New to VisionLink? Visit our Get Started page.

Three senior adults watch a female dancer wearing a black leotard and red tutu.
Four women walk down a hallway. The woman on the right is wearing dark shades and is using a white cane.

Discover new interests and make personal connections.

See our current schedule of programs and activities with our community partners.

Program Schedule

Email us to collaborate as a community partner!

Resources Beyond VisionLink

Information on local resources and national programs and organizations is available below.

Community Resources

Benefits Data Trust

Benefits Data Trust helps people live healthier, more independent lives by creating smarter ways to access essential benefits and services.

Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS)

The Bureau assists Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.

Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity (formerly known as the Black Doctors Consortium)

The Black Doctors Consortium is committed to providing access to exceptional healthcare through advocacy and education. The Consortium offers an array of health services including: phlebotomy, x-rays and mammography, behavioral health, and well check-ups for children and adults in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. The clinic will also offer standard immunizations and vaccines.

Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center

Located at The Eye Institute at Salus University, the center offers low vision individuals with information, instruction, and access to specialized magnification devices.

Mayor’s Commission for People with Disabilities

The Mayor’s Commission advances policies and programs for people with disabilities; provides resources for residents with disabilities; educates the community on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other laws that impact people with disabilities; and advises and advocates for people with disabilities.

Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging (PCA)

PCA strives to improve the quality of life for older Philadelphians or people with disabilities, and to assist them in achieving their maximum levels of health, independence, and productivity. PCA gives special consideration to those with the greatest social, economic, and health needs.

The Scheie Eye Institute of Penn Medicine

The Scheie Eye Institute of Penn Medicine offers complete diagnostic and treatment services in comprehensive ophthalmology, as well as all subspecialty areas. Services range from routine eye examinations to advanced ocular surgery.

SEPTA

SEPTA provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to ride all SEPTA transit system services at a discounted rate using a SEPTA Key Reduced Fare Card. In addition, SEPTA’s Customized Community Transportation (CCT) provides paratransit service—CCT Connect—to individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. All details and transit schedules can be found on SEPTA’s screen reader-friendly website.

TechOwl PA

Technology for Our Whole Lives (TechOwl) is part of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. They provide access to an equipment lending library, device demonstrations, used equipment exchanges, and presentations.

Wills Eye Hospital

Wills is committed to clinical care, education, and research in ophthalmology since 1832.

National Programs and Resources

American Council of the Blind

The council strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

American Foundation for the Blind

The mission of the foundation is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. They mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.

National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, founded in 1940. Currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

NLS is a free Braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in Braille or audio formats, delivered by postage-free mail or instantly downloadable.

Pennsylvania Council for the Blind

For over 75 years, the Pennsylvania Council for the Blind has worked on behalf of all people with vision loss. They advocate for employment opportunities and promote legislation improving access to information. PCB and affiliate chapters throughout the state continue to encourage and assist all those with vision loss to achieve their fullest potential.

Veteran Affairs (VA) Blind and Low Vision Rehabilitation Services

If you are a veteran or active-duty service member who is blind or has low vision, you may be able to get advanced vision care and rehabilitation services through the VA to help you live an independent life.