2023 CSC Report to the Community

What Was CSC’s Impact?

CSC’s Preschool Focused on Serving the Family Unit

Cleveland Sight Center’s Preschool staff understand that a student and their family’s success is one in the same. In order for us to provide the best care to our students, we must also support their caregivers. In the fall of 2023, we began providing before and after school care to better accommodate our family’s needs. Families were eager to participate with nearly 85% using these extended hours!

Take a virtual tour of CSC’s preschool to learn about the many ways our specialized staff help students prepare to navigate the visual world by watching this video.

Get to know Emmett, a current student in CSC’s preschool:

Emmett was born with albinism, resulting in legal blindness and other health concerns. His family moved to Cleveland so he could receive the best care possible.

Along the way, Cleveland Sight Center became a part of their family.

One day, Emmett came home from CSC’s preschool and told his mom,

“Mama, I fell down some stairs while I was in school because I couldn’t see, but it’s okay because I have my superpowers now.”

He confidently showed her his white cane – his new superpower. His mom knew then that Emmett would be okay.

Emmett is now four years old and CSC has completely changed his life trajectory. He feels limitless. He is confident, independent and quite the daredevil.

Because Emmett is so independent, people are often surprised that he is legally blind. His mom tells them what she’s learned: that vision impairments don’t have to limit someone. When given the right tools and support, anyone can be limitless.

Emmett is so appreciative of the generous support received by people like you, especially through our year-end solicitation piece that highlighted him. Click here to view a thank you video message from him!

BY THE NUMBERS:

of students met their developmental goals in the 2023 school year.

Preschool students participated in

hours of learning.

The Clinic and Store’s Renovation Streamlined the Client Experience

Before the renovation, the Store, Clinic and occupational therapy spaces were located in different areas within Cleveland Sight Center. Through this renovation, the three spaces were combined to create a more seamless and holistic experience for patients and their families.

In addition to offering a more cohesive experience, the renovation provides:

Increased accessibility for individuals with blindness or visual impairments - each low vision exam room features all-new optometric equipment and technology that allows our staff to adjust the lighting (brightness and color tone) to the specific needs of each patient.
Increased accessibility for patients in wheelchairs and white cane users by expanding the amount of open space.
An additional low vision exam lane and pre-testing space allows us to give low vision exams to young children and serve more patients.

"The new Store and Clinic renovation is absolutely beautiful!” said Barb Piascik. “Now that the spaces are combined, I see family members shopping and learning more about assistive technology while the client is being examined by our doctors."

– Barb Piascik, Retail Manager of CSC’s Store.

The impact of this renovation is felt by clients. Since the new space opened, we have heard from patients that the bright environment lifts their spirits the moment they walk in and they appreciate that everything they need is all in one space. Please click on the button below to watch a video of Larry Benders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Sight Center, touring the new space.

Watch a video of Larry Benders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Sight Center, touring the new space.

Meet Kaylee, a CSC early intervention and preschool alumni, who is now 9 years old and unstoppable when she wears her glasses from CSC’s Clinic!

Darlene (Kaylee’s mom) and Kaylee received her flexible glasses from CSC’s financial assistance program which is supported through the empowerment fund . If it weren’t for our donors that contribute to this fund, they would not be able to afford the unbreakable glasses Kaylee needed to help maximize her remaining vision.

CSC’s clinic sells eyeglasses and has an optician ready to help shoppers of all ages get the right frames and lenses they need. Tony, CSC’s optician in the clinic is thorough and makes sure to get the correct measurements to ensure a proper fit .

“He's gifted, he truly has a gift!” Darlene says of Tony. “He was very patient with her. He waited for her to get done feeling uncomfortable. It was nice that he took the time and had the patience to wait a couple seconds just to let her chill.”

The next time Kaylee needs glasses, or Darlene has questions, Cleveland Sight Center will be there to help them navigate the visual world.

“It's like family,” Darlene said.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Low Vision Exams
provided

of patients reported increased skills in using their remaining vision.

of clients reported they were satisfied with the services they received.

Helped Individuals Find Meaningful Employment

From teens getting their first jobs to adults looking to get back into the workforce after becoming visually impaired, CSC’s Employment Services Team works with each individual to help them find and keep a job they enjoy. CSC offers a variety of employment services to equip adults with the skills and tools needed to excel in their careers. We focus on each individual’s needs, interests, goals and skillset to connect them with employment opportunities. Often, this is through our employment partners who were carefully vetted to ensure they will meet and understand each person’s accessibility needs.

Meet Allan , a current local sports broadcaster with a bright future ahead of him!

Allan first got involved with CSC through a summer program focused on helping young adults explore various career paths. His goal was to find a job placement that aligned with his interests and career goals in sports broadcasting.

Michael Brown, Allan’s Employment Specialist, connected Allan with the Eastlake-based Lake County Captains, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians.

“If it wasn't for Cleveland Sight Center, we wouldn't even be at Lake County Captains,” said Scott, Allan’s dad. “We said what Allan’s dream was, then Cleveland Sight Center took it from there and found an organization that could make that dream come true.”

Sometimes you just need an extra person advocating for you to help you reach your goals and that is exactly what CSC is here to do.

One of Cleveland Sight Center’s goals is to educate the community about the abilities of the blind and visually impaired community - they can do anything a sighted person can.

Allan is the perfect example of this. With the right tools and support, Allan became a color commentator for a minor league team at 17 years old – a rare accomplishment for someone with or without a visual impairment!

Allan has a bright future, and we hope he remembers us when he’s famous!

Allan in broadcast booth wearing headphones

BY THE NUMBERS:

clients received employment services

of clients reported they were satisfied with the services they received.

Increased recreational field trips into the community

Recreational activities are designed to enhance overall well-being, independence and confidence while providing opportunities to socialize and build community with others. CSC greatly increased the amount of recreational programming offered this year, ensuring individuals feel a sense of belonging and purpose. This included all-day recreational programming on Tuesdays, educational presentations with guest speakers and a full summer program of field trips.

Meet John – an individual who has taken full advantage of recreational opportunities!

John does not shy away from trying a new hobby or activity. Ever since being diagnosed with glaucoma, John has stepped out of his comfort zone and worked hard to maximize his remaining vision and build community at Cleveland Sight Center.

John received and participated in an array of services at CSC including low vision exams, white cane training, recreational programming and more that helped him grow his confidence with his remaining vision.

For example, John started attending our weekly piano classes. He even bought a keyboard to practice at home! John may have been a music lover in the past, but he didn’t consider himself musically talented. So, he is even surprising himself! Not only is John learning new skills, but he is also meeting new people and building friendships along the way.

“You're going to increase your community at Cleveland Sight Center. It is a great way to learn and get to meet people at the same time,” John said.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Nearly

more recreational programming sessions were offered in 2023 compared to 2022.

In 2023, CSC served

clients through recreational programming.

Early Intervention Team brought their services to the next level

With two Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) ascending arrow icon licenses added to the team, the Early Intervention team can offer deeper levels of services for the families of our youngest clients. Through these added licenses, more of our staff can introduce the white cane during home visits to help our youngest clients navigate the visual world.

These licensures strengthen the EI program and enhance the breadth of services CSC can provide to children and families.

Meet James is a 2-year-old boy who, like many children, loves music and exploring!

Barb, CSC’s Early Intervention Specialist, showed James’ parents, Kelsey and Michael, how to adapt and focus on what he can do, instead of what he can’t.

“It's just very life changing to have help and encouragement and be given next steps.” Michael said. “It gave us a brighter outlook on everything.”

Not only is Barb an Early Intervention Specialist, she is also a certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) green ascending icon . This means that she can provide tips and tricks to prepare children on her caseload to read braille. Kelsey expressed interest in learning braille so she can help teach James in the future, and Barb is helping her do just that! James is only 2 years old and he already loves braille!

“The first time I read a braille book with James, I grabbed his hand and rubbed it on the braille as I was reading,” Kelsey recalls. “As I did it, he was cracking up! I don't know if it was tickling his fingers or what but he absolutely loved it! Ever since, he always says, "Read mama? Read dada?’”

In addition to pre-braille learning tips, CSC’s Early Intervention team has certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS) that can help CSC’s youngest clients learn to maneuver their environment and use a white cane.

Deb, a COMS and Early Intervention Specialist at CSC, provided an orientation and mobility lesson to Kelsey and Michael, where they learned how the white cane works. James took to it quickly and is proof that with the right resources, a child who is blind or visually impaired can do anything!