For those of you who are new to the Community Association of the Blind (CAB), you may be curious as to where did the idea of creating an organization like CAB came from, to answer that question it is important to go back time and take a look at why Community Association of the Blind (CAB) was formed.
A Brief History...
In late 1996 a small organization for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded called Community Alliance for the Blind (also known as CAB). Through much hard work and dedication the Community Alliance for the Blind was very successful. Community Alliance for the Blind had over 60 members and a staff of 3 that were blind and visually impaired. The Community Alliance for the Blind also had many dedicated volunteers that were always willing to help out in anyway they could. In mid 2003 the Board of Directors of the Community Alliance for the Blind made the decision to close their organization for good due to some funding issues. Many of the organization's former staff, volunteers, and members were saddened to see Community Alliance for the Blind close. There were even hopes that the organization would be revived in the next few years.
In early 2005 a small group of former staff, volunteers, and members of the Community Alliance for the Blind had gotten together to form a leadership team to discuss the idea of a new kind of CAB but at that time the leadership team lacked the proper resources and support needed to make it happen. The leadership team made a decision to put the idea of a new organization on hold for a while and meet in a year to make this plan happen.
In late 2006 the leadership team met to discuss the idea once again and started working on the process of making this plan happen. The organization that was formed from that leadership team is now called the Community Association of the Blind (CAB), it is created and designed to serve the Blind and Visually Impaired of Southern California. This new CAB has a strong Board of Directors, Loyal Sponsors, Dedicated Donors, Helpful Volunteers, and Supportive Members.
Present Day...
On Saturday, June 2nd, 2007 Community Association of the Blind (CAB) was officially formed and is now operational. Community Associations of the Blind thanks the many people whom have put lots of hard work into making this organization happen and because of that CAB plans to be here for many years to come.
Disclaimer: The Community Association of the Blind is not directly or indirectly affiliated with the Community Alliance for the Blind in anyway or form. Though it is a fact that a few former staff, volunteers, and members of the former organization called the Community Alliance for the Blind have created and founded a new organization called Community Association of the Blind (CAB), under a new name and new Board of Directors.
Our mission is to integrate individuals who are visually impaired and blind into all aspects of the community, thereby improving the overall quality of life. Our dedication lies on providing recreational alternatives, educational opportunities communication and social skill building that is combined with a sense of purpose and community spirit. Through our diverse programs and services, Community Association of the Blind will encourage many visually impaired and blind individuals to learn more about leadership skill building, recreational alternatives and community service opportunities.
The purpose of this organization is to create a stable and rich environment which will help to meet, foster and enhance the vocational, recreational, social and personal needs of each blind and visually impaired person in their community.
Educational Opportunities: CAB offers educational workshops that promote independence amongst the blind and visually impaired. CAB's workshops are on issues that have to do with blindness. CAB also provides resources and support to blind and visually impaired college students.
Recreational Alternatives: Creating recreational and social activities that will promote independence, leadership, and social skill building within the blind and visually impaired. Creating activities that would promote health and excercise within the blind and visually impaired community.
Communication & Social Skill Building: Creating programs that would help integrate the blind and visually impaired by getting them involved with their local community in a positive way. Creating activities that will promote participate in local community service projects which will help strengthen the blind and visually impaired community.
Collaborations with other Organizations: By networking with many different organizations on diverse programs and working side by side to provide accessible resources to the blind and visually impaired community at large.
