Seniors citizens who struggle with vision impairment or any eye disease that affects their daily living can have their vision needs met for free.

Jennifer Bindernagel, executive director of the Blind Association of Butler and Armstrong Counties, said her organization on Cedar Street in Butler offers a plethora of help for seniors suffering from macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, or other eye diseases that affect their ability to live independently.

“It’s a common misconception, but you don’t have to be blind to come to the Blind Association,” Bindernagel said. “We’re here to help individuals prevent, prepare for and manage vision loss, even though our name is the Blind Association.”

She said about 60 percent of those served by the association are senior citizens. She expects that number to increase because baby boomers, the country’s largest demographic, are finding themselves with vision problems as they age.

The organization’s mission is to allow those with vision impairment to live independently and to supply help to those who need it.

Bindernagel said there are no income restrictions on using the association, and she encourages those with vision issues to contact her for assistance.

The association is funded mainly through donations and foundation grants and partly through the state Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

She said about 100 people use the association.

Resources available

Bindernagel said the facility on Cedar Street has a room filled with apparatus to help a vision impaired person with daily tasks.

Many of the items are used by talking rather than seeing. Talking watches, thermometers and other items are available. There are large-print clocks and kitchen timers.

“We just look at what the individual’s needs are,” Bindernagel said.

One popular item is a magnifier that will show cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, letters, prescriptions, or even a needle and thread up to 64 times their actual sizes on a television screen.

“We have a lot of resources here to allow people to remain independent,” Bindernagel said. “That’s our goal.”

Skills taught

The executive director said the association partners with the Bureau for Blindness and Vision Services to provide skills training to those who struggle with daily tasks.

She said professionals help train people to cook, travel independently with a seeing eye dog or a cane, and mark frequently used items in the home for easy identification, among other activities.

The association also offers technology instruction for those struggling with using a computer.

Groups can help

The agency offers support groups for men and women.

Bindernagel said those struggling with vision issues talk about their difficulties at the meetings and seek support from their peers in the group. She said group members with experience offer tips to overcome the roadblocks encountered by the visually impaired.

“Whether matching colored socks or learning to cook using the stove safely, we take each individual’s vision and make it a reality,” Bindernagel said.

Mobility aided

The association also has two cars and a van to help the visually impaired or blind do public tasks they would otherwise be unable to do.

The transportation/escort service is for those who need help with errands, such as filling out paperwork at the doctor’s office, seeing prices or items at a grocery store, and banking.

“We go in and assist them with those activities,” Bindernagel said. “We don’t just pick people up and drop them off.”

Sign up to bowl

In addition to designing classes that adapt various crafts for the visually impaired, the association also has a 10-person bowling team.

The Sightless Strikers play in a league at Family Bowlaway in Butler year-round. Bumpers laid from the ball return to the starting area help lead bowlers to the correct area when it is their turn, and helpers tell them which pins are still standing on their second throw.

But don’t expect subpar scores from the Sightless Strikers.

“I’m very competitive, so I don’t bowl with them anymore,” Bindernagel said. “I don’t like to lose.”

Services on the go

The Blind Association also travels to nursing facilities to offer free eye screenings.

Bindernagel said while the organization does not offer ophthalmology or treatments, it identifies issues for which older adults should see their doctors.

She said any organization can call and schedule a vision screening.

Workers at the association also will go to homes to read mail or to assist with bill paying.

“We are not a place where you come and follow a strict program,” Bindernagel said, “Our services are individualized and personalized.”

The association can be reached at 724-287-4059.