2023 Golf
NABA held its 24th Annual Visionary Golf Tournament on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Albany Country Club. It was a beautiful day and a great success supporting the Adaptive Living Program for Senior Citizens and the Vision Rehabilitation Center.
NABA’s Adaptive Living Program and the Vision Rehabilitation Center provide services to seniors to help them make the most of their remaining vision. Through this program, seniors receive vision rehabilitation therapy, counseling to cope with vision loss, adaptive technology training, and orientation and mobility skills instruction. We provide low vision exams, optical aids, and special adaptive devices along with instruction in their use to get the maximum benefit. Our program focuses on providing the support and the knowledge necessary to allow seniors to continue to live full and independent lives.
2023 Visionary Gala
NABA celebrated its Annual Visionary Gala on April 27th, 2023, honoring Steven A. Smith Jr., Chair of NABA Board of Directors, for his exceptional leadership and long-standing commitment to NABA’s mission. The Visionary Gala, hosted at Franklin Plaza Ballroom, is NABA’s signature fundraising event to benefit its programs that provide employment, senior, and youth services to blind and visually impaired individuals to achieve independence and growth. This year, over 150 people attended and raised more funds than ever before!
2023 Corporate Challenge
Congratulations to NABA staff that participated in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge at Empire State Plaza. This is the largest running event in the Capital District of New York, and is organized by, and serves as the major fundraiser for, the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club. (HMRRC).
NABA staff participated in running and walking in the Team Challenge.
Actor Stephen Lang Visits NABA
In the spring of 2020, actor Stephen Lang contacted NABA to request training from blind rehabilitation professionals in preparation for the role of “The Blind Man” in the film “Don’t Breathe Again.” Stephen went through a rigorous month-long training process that included blindfolded training, learning the skills of the long white cane, protective techniques, traffic analysis, correcting disorientation, and much more.
You may recognize Stephen Lang from Law & Order, Manhunter, Gettysburg, Tombstone, Gods and Generals, Public Enemies, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Conan the Barbarian, and Don’t Breathe.
In the fall of 2022, Stephen returned to NABA and graciously framed our Youth Program’s rendition of Rousseau’s Monkey.
Vision Awareness, Services, and Technology Forum
On May 10th, NABA hosted a forum on Vision, Services and Low Vision Technology at the Clifton Park Senior Center. Free vision screenings were conducted by NABA’s Low Vision Specialist, speakers from Albany Medical College presented topics on Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma. The latest in low vision technology equipment for reading, computers, watching TV and adaptive visual aids were available to try courtesy of CTech and Orcam. NABA’s Vision Rehabilitation Specialist presented on living successfully with low vision and vision rehabilitation therapy. Area agencies were on hand that provide senior support services.
