The Visionary | Fall 2025
Assisting Blind and Visually Impaired Individuals to Achieve Independence & Growth!
It has been very busy at NABA, and I’m thrilled to share with you some of the latest updates and happenings. Our focus remains on helping blind or visually impaired individuals of all ages achieve independence and growth. We are pleased to accomplish this in many different ways. thanks to our numerous partners and donors.
I’d like to give a very special thanks to the Dake Foundation for Children for their generous contribution to the goal ball program. I also want to express my gratitude to our goal ball partners Christian Brother’s Academy, Albany Police Athletic League, and Colonie Recreation Center. As a result of their support, we’ve expanded valuable opportunities for our teens to develop skills and integrate with their sighted peers. Additionally, we are very pleased, to have introduced a monthly Game Night! This social activity at NABA offers people chances to interact with their friends while enjoying a fun evening out.
NABA’s employment specialists have been hard at work and have been very successful in finding jobs for teens and adults who are eager to enter the workforce. Many of our blind or visually impaired friends have found meaningful work in their communities and have hit the ground running! NABA is always seeking new employment partners, so let us know if you’re hiring.
I’m happy to announce that beginning in August, Dr. Monica Casey-Gee extended her availability to increase our capacity for low vision screenings. If you or someone you know is interested in an exam, please be sure to reach out to NABA to discuss eligibility.
NABA prides itself in providing competitive paying jobs to those who are blind or visually impaired in our state-of-the-art manufacturing center. The manufacturing team has been hard at work, and I’m delighted to report that in 2024, direct blind labor for federal products was 85% and for state products was 77%.
- A few important “save the date” reminders:
On September 24th we’ll be hosting out annual golf tournament at Albany Country Club – Shotgun start at 9 a.m. There will be food, prizes, a silent auction and more. To register or learn more, please visit nabavision.org. - The Vision Awareness Day Event will be held on Thursday, October 23rd from 1-4 p.m. at Glenville Senior Center, with special guest Dr. Matthew Habib speaking at 1:30 p.m.
I want to acknowledge and thank the talented and dedicated staff at NABA who work hard every day to ensure we remain mission focused. Team NABA is like no other with passion and a drive to serve that is incredible. I’m proud and grateful to be working with this team.
NABA is a special place. We would not be able to do what we do without generous donations and contributions. To all who support our mission of helping blind or visually impaired individuals achieve independence, THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Laura Zeliger, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at NABA
NYS Preferred Source Program’s 2025 Employee of the Year!
We’re pleased to announce that Entsar Al Khazrajy, a production worker in NABA’s Manufacturing Center, has been selected as the New York State Preferred Source Program’s 2025 Employee of the Year! She was honored during an all-hands meeting on May 6th in NABA’s Youth Center.
Born legally blind in Hillah, a city located in central Iraq, Entsar was only able to complete the sixth grade due to educational limitations and acceptance in her country of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Her inability to receive resources for her condition, as well as accommodations to earn an education, made it difficult for Entsar to achieve independence. Enstar eventually migrated to the United States in 2010.
Upon arriving in the United States, Entsar was connected with various resources to assist with her blindness but also learned how speak and understand English. In addition, she was introduced to NABA and completed a full vocational rehabilitation program and achieved complete independence. During this time, Enstar also attended the required classes administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and became a United States citizen in 2016.
Enstar then joined the NABA family and began working as a production worker in the manufacturing center. Today, she is part of a team of blind and visually impaired peers who are responsible for creating, producing, or packaging several products for the federal government, State of New York, and various local municipalities.
One of NABA’s largest product lines are reflective safety vests for the New York City Transit Authority, Matro North Railroad and other government contracts. In fact, NABA produces over 50,000 reflective safety vests annually! Enstar plays a vital role in the production of these vest by using a programmable sewing machine and attaching the reflecting panels.
NABA also finishes and packages flags used by the railways. Using a grommet press machine, Enstar punches holes in train flags, attaches the grommets, and inserts the sticks into the flag before packaging them and preparing them to be sent out for delivery.
Please join us in congratulating Enstar on her well-deserved recognition.
NABA Supports Staff Member Eager to Grow Professionally and Earn Certification in Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility Specialists, commonly referred to as O&M’s, are individuals who teach blind or visually impaired people how to navigate safely and independently using various techniques, such as a white cane or other assistive devices. As you might imagine, O&M training is vital to organizations like NABA in ensuring that consumers can achieve independence and safely get around the community.
Unfortunately, however, there is a nationwide shortage of certified O&M’s which is having an obvious impact on the amount of blind or visually impaired people who can be served. Due to several factors, including lack of certification courses in some states, lack of awareness about the profession, and the demands of the work, there just simply aren’t enough O&M’s to meet the demand of those who are eager to learn and achieve a life of safety, growth, and independence. The shortage can lead to long waiting lists for services, delayed or inadequate training, and a greater reliance on family members or caregivers for mobility assistance.
Understanding this nationwide issue, NABA is already taking step to ensure our blind and visually impaired community can obtain services and is ahead of the curve. As an organization that prides itself in professional development, we are thrilled to support NABA’s Senior Employment Specialist Lauren Sirkin in her education at Hunter College where she is currently earning her master’s degree to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. This accredited program is well regarded, and Lauren is well on her way to earning her certification.
Recently, as part of her ongoing O&M education, Lauren attended hands-on training sponsored by the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf/Blind Youths and Adults in New York City where she was blindfolded and learned more about outdoor mobility – specifically, learning cane techniques, understanding traffic patterns, crossing streets, and accessing public transportation.
Please join us in congratulating Lauren on completing this crucial next step in achieving her goal of becoming a certified O&M!
Congratulations Kathleen Lather!
Please join us in congratulating Kathleen Lather, Director of Administration who just completed her 40th year as an employee at NABA!
Employee Appreciation
On Thursday, July 10th, NABA held its annual staff picnic at Cook Park in Colonie. Our hard working staff got to enjoy some food prepared by 2 Shea Catering, participate in some activities, and simply just enjoy a fun day of camaraderie.
In addition, we made sure to acknowledge National Ice Cream day on Monday, July 21st by inviting Mr Ding-a-Ling’s ice cream truck to NABA’s facility in Albany so all staff could enjoy a nice cold treat on what was a perfect, summer day. And yes, even our guiding-eye furry friends got to enjoy some “pup-friendly” ice cream.
26th Annual Visionary Golf Tournament
Our 26th Annual Visionary Golf Tournament has officially left the fairway. We’re very thankful so many golfers joined us this year at Albany Country Club & we’re very appreciative of our generous community sponsors.
Visit our event page & see if you can spot your team among the wonderful photos.
We hope to see you all again next year as we take another swing!
Kids Learn, Socialize, and Have Tons of Fun During NABA’s Youth Program Socialization Week
From identifying birds by sound, arts and crafts, to enjoying a day at the beach in Lake George, the kids participating in NABA’s Youth Program had a blast during what is commonly referred to as “Kids Week.” The week, which ran this year from Monday, July 14th to Friday, July 18th, provided a group of blind or visually impaired kids the opportunity to interact with staff and their peers, all while learning from each other and building life-long friendships.
Throughout the week, the kids took part in various activities including arts and crafts, rehabilitations training, working in the kitchen, a nature walk, a visit to Magic Forest, a day at the beach and much, much more!
NABA’s mission of helping blind or visually impaired individuals achieve independence is deeply rooted in our ability to start working with our youth at an early age. This helps build confidence, necessary life skills, and friendships with those who may be experiencing similar challenges.
Vision Awareness Day
Where
Glenville Senior Center
32 Worden Road
East Glenville, NY 12302
When
Thursday October 23, 2025
1:00pm-4:00pm
Event Details
Free – Open to the public – All Welcome
Presentation on Macular Degeneration by Dr. Matthew Habib at 1:30pm
Contact Angel Brassard for more information or questions
abrassard@naba-vision.org
(518) 463-1211 x241
