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AnnualReport2022

Advance the vision loss field – throughinnovation, education, collaboration, policy,and advocacy. Extend the continuum of care to includeVision Rehabilitation Services that addressthe complex issues affecting people of allages with blindness and low vision. Throughout 2022, VisionServe Alliancecollaborated with hundreds of memberorganizations and leaders across the US and Canada, working toward our common goals to:We implemented a broad range of current andstrategic activities to cultivate leadership at thehighest levels, help members build capacity andsustainability, and increase awareness ofspecialized Vision Rehabilitation Services thattransform the lives of people facing blindnessand low vision. Learn more about VisionServe Alliance.A CRUCIAL YEAR Innovate.Lead.Collaborate. 2V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

Message from our CEO32022 was the Year of Aging and Vision Loss for VisionServeAlliance and many of its partners through the Aging andVision Loss National Coalition. Significant learning hasemanated from the Aging and Vision Loss Big Data ProjectReports and subsequent discussions, reverberating throughall initiatives, including public awareness, serviceenhancement, personnel development, and policy initiatives.As a field, we have known for decades that the largestpopulation group of our mutual constituency is older adults.A foundational lack of data has undermined our industry’sability to fight for equitable attention and funding. As aconsequence, less than 5% of Americans over 65 living withblindness and low vision receive crucial Vision RehabilitationServices. Finally, the indisputable data presented in the National andState Aging & Vision Loss Big Data Reports, which so vividlyportrays the plight of those we are charged to serve, will bethe impetus necessary to end complacency and summon thesystemic changes required to create real solutions to vastlyimprove the quality of life for millions of people withblindness and vision loss.Lee NasehiPresident & CEO

Conference archives with videos, slides, and presentationsfrom eight VSA conferences across all topic areasSearchable knowledge articles, resources, and data to helpmembers lead, manage, and governA member center enables members to take advantage of all annual benefits, update memberships & organizationprofiles, renew memberships, generate receipts, and more.Exclusive members-only access to proprietary information,documents, and publicationsMembership included 136 national, regional, and localorganizations as we continued to enhance vital Memberprograms, benefits, and opportunities, including each memberreceiving more seats in our exclusive Member Portal, MemberDirectory, and Knowledge Base.Member PortalOur expanded Member Portal provided: VisionServe AllianceMembership4V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

Affinity Group Virtual MeetingsOur Small Organization Affinity Groupmeetings feature expert guest speakers who present vital industry topics tailoredfor leaders of small nonprofits. Our NewCEO Affinity Groups connect memberCEOs with CEOs who are new to theirpositions. Affinity Groups provideinvaluable networking and insight.5Learn more about all the benefits of membership.Community Regional Engagement and ProfessionalEmpowerment (CREPE)Our Membership Committee initiated CREPE to engage andempower current and future members. Presentations andnetworking events at the AERBVI Conference, NIB TrainingConference & Expo, APH Annual Meeting, and the PennsylvaniaAssociation of the Blind Annual Conference enabled memberleaders and their staff to share goals, ideas, opportunities, andconcerns about regional and other state-specific issuesimpacting their organizations.

Twenty sessions over three daysincluded keynotes by Mary PatKnight (The Humanized Leader)and Justice Shorter (DEI-PowerMoves). Added sessions covereda broad range of topics leaderswanted to address most.Annual Executive Leadership Conference 6Our Tampa conference was VisionServe Alliance's first return toin-person conferences since 2019. The event was a tremendoussuccess, with 171 leaders participating and a record number offirst-time attendees. New CEO learning sessions and dynamic speakers addressedcrucial industry topics.Engaging Industry Leaders in Tampa, Florida!V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

7Unparalleled industry networking included a WelcomeReception, networking lunches, speed networking, and more.New events and city tours created added networkingopportunities, including a Ybor City Historic Walking Tour,Pirate Water Taxi rides, Tampa Riverwalk, and more. Our Awards Luncheon recognized 2022 Annual VisionServeAlliance Award recipients Brooks Harken and Kathy Mullen, outgoing board members, and featured keynote speaker JohnSamuel, highlighting “The Idea of Belonging in a Diverse World.”Learn more about our annual ExecutiveLeadership Conferences.

The Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC)continued to focus on the most pressing issues facing olderadults with blindness and low vision. Aging and Vision LossNational Coalition (AVLNC) 8V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Access to Quality Services CommitteeData & Research CommitteePolicy & Funding CommitteePublic Awareness CommitteeMore than 100 leaders volunteered more than 1,500 hours tolead these four AVLNC coalition committees:Each committee maintained distinct focus areas to achieve a broad range of three-year AVLNC plan goals. See thetremendous 2022 AVLNC committee achievements outlinedon the following pages.

Developed a Provider Advocacy Toolkit that was successfullylaunched on VisionServe Alliance’s websiteEstablished the Transportation Working Group in partnershipwith other national organizations to address accessibletransportation for older individuals and older individuals withblindness and low vision.Completed a Consumer Advocacy Curriculum with plans topilot the curriculum in late 2023 or early 2024Assisted in completing the initial Big Data Project nationalreport and 22 state reports.Developed a plan to identify and share relevant researcharticles systematically. Curated an initial collection of articlesand collaborated with OIB-TAC to host this collection (in 2023)Developed the Rehabilitation Services Outcome tool to helpstandardize outcome data in our field. This tool was submittedfor review by various academic institutions.Introduced the Teddie-Joy’s Law outline to address gaps infunding and services for older individuals who are blind orhave low visionDeveloped a three-part transportation webinar series,including The Basics of Public Transit - The Complete Trip froma Blind/Low Vision Perspective, Make a Difference - Strategiesto Participate and Inform Transportation Services, and UsingPartnerships and Advocacy to “Get on the Right Track” withAccessible Transportation.Access to Quality Services Data & Research Policy and Funding Learn more about the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition.9

Partnered with the Ad Council Edge and initiated Phase One of a five-phase research project to help reframe vision loss in the US and develop a national media awareness campaignDeveloped a three-year Public Awareness Committee Planand tactical plan. Key Plan Stakeholders and volunteers for2023 projects were also identified.Expanded our partnership with the National Eye HealthEducation Program of the National Eye Institute to increasepublic education about Vision Rehabilitation ServicesExpanded awareness of VisionServe Alliance, AVLNC, and ourkey initiatives at various National and state conferences &events, including 12 Big Data Project age 65+ report presentations across the US, and presentations at the NationalCouncil of State Agencies for the Blind Conference and VSA’sExecutive Leadership ConferencePublic Awareness 1 0V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

1 1The Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition presented at theAmerican Society on Aging Conference, American OccupationalTherapy Association Conference, National Council of StateAgencies for the Blind (NCSAB) Conference, National Council onAging Age + Action Conference, an AER ConferenceSymposium, Reframing Aging & Vision Loss, AFB LeadershipConference, emPOWERed by Big Data, APH Annual Meeting,and moreAdded project-focused presentations included VSA Day at thePennsylvania Association for the Blind Conference, 2022Compensation & Benefits Survey presentation, Cracking theFundraising Code, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources forAgencies & Clients, and Benefits & Resources of VSAAwareness webinars included Successes and Challenges ofExisting Medical Delivery Models in the Provision of VisionRehabilitation Services for Older People with Low Vision andBlindness, Understanding Big Data: Maximizing Your State’sReport, and more.Public Awareness (continued)Public PolicyIn partnership with other nationalorganizations and to amplify thevoice of our field, VisionServeAlliance signed onto 14 majordocuments on national legislation,calls for response to notices ofpublic rule-making, and otheractions related to federal issuesconcerning individuals who areblind or have vision impairment.

Powerful Data Insights that Advance the Entire Vision Loss FieldThe Big Data Project 1 2V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Tragically, almost 96% of older adults with vision loss do not receive Vision Rehabilitation Services. VisionServe Alliance, ourmembers, and partners are removing barriers so more peoplefacing blindness, low vision, and vision impairment can receivethe services they need to thrive. That is why in 2022, VisionServe Alliance, the Aging and VisionLoss National Coalition (AVLNC), and the Ohio State UniversityCollege of Optometry published groundbreaking datahighlighting the rate of blindness and low vision among adults65+, and its critical impact on a broad range of factors, includingadverse effects across all social determinants of health.Big Data insights - available for the first time - enableVisionServe Alliance, our member organizations, public & privateagencies, funders, and other stakeholders to most effectivelyadvance policy, structure services, and advocate for millions ofolder adults who desperately need life-changing VisionRehabilitation Services. Our Big Data Project’s National and state reports are the onlystudies that, in one document, provide comprehensivedescriptions of older people with vision impairment at thenational, state, and county levels.Learn more and review the National & state Big Data Reports.

Key Data Project Findings Crucial Demographic Insights About 7.3% of older Americans report blindnessor low vision. Women, African Americans,Hispanics, & Native Americans report a higherprevalence of vision loss, and many reportsubstantial health & social disparities comparedto older people without blindness & vision loss.1 3Only 4.3% of people with blindness & vision lossreceive Vision Rehabilitation Services. Our BigData helps policymakers & providers tailorservices in aging, public health, transportation,and vision rehabilitation to preserve dignity,independence, and quality of life and reduceextensive costs of unnecessary institutional care.Urgent Need for ServicesGreatly Diminished Quality of LifeOlder adults with blindness and vision lossare far more likely to face poverty, reducededucation, a higher prevalence of chronicmedical conditions, and poorer health-related quality of life.

Executive Leadership CoachingMember leaders and their teams are offered consulting inpartnership with the Ramerman Leadership Group. System & Soul + Implementation ConsultingThis operational system & consulting helps member leaders meetthe unique challenges of running nonprofits with clear direction.Leadership ChallengeOur Leadership Challenge program inspires the breakthroughunderstanding needed to build positive relationships and achievethe extraordinary.Recognizing the vital importance ofenhanced leadership throughout ourfield, helping members buildorganizational capacity, and increasesustainability, we expanded ourexecutive leadership consultingservices to include:Executive Leadership Consulting 1 4V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Learn more about our Executive Leadership Consulting

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Highlight 1We convened the first-ever in-person National Policy CollaborativeMeeting at NFB HQ in Baltimore with ten national organizations. National Policy CollaborativeAdvancing National AwarenessOur Ad Council partnership seeks to reframe vision loss in the US, and our partnership with the National Eye Institute also helped usdisseminate vital educational content to raise national awareness ofVision Rehabilitation and the importance of these life-changingservices. 1 6VisionServe Alliance, through the Aging and Vision LossNational Coalition and other initiatives, dramatically increasedoutreach and awareness of aging and vision loss in the US. Important Firsts in 2022VisionServe Alliance’s IDEAL Committee added 16 new questions tocollect DEIA data for the first time through our biennialCompensation and Benefits Survey. Our 2022 survey providedleadership demographics and information on organizational policiesand practices - key reflections of the state of diversity, equity, andinclusion - among organizations serving people who are blind andvisually impaired. This important data guides our future work toenhance DEI culture among our members.IDEAL CommitteeV I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

1 717 New Members 137 Members 21 Sponsors 1,500+ AVLNC Volunteer Hours 171 Conference Attendees 2022 Snapshot

1 8Financials 2022 was a year of essential investments in VisionServe Alliance’s strategicinitiatives, including the Big Data Project, the Aging and Vision Loss NationalCoalition, vision field and member-related benefits & programming, and buildingorganizational capacity. Total Revenue FY2022 = $758,838Reflects a 22% increase over FY2021 revenue of $619,970Total Expenses FY2022 = $812,655with 87% of expenses representing Program ServicesMembership38%Project Support17%Consulting14%Foundation Grants11%Conference11%Other9%Funding Categories FY2022 *Excludes a $26,167 net loss on investments (unrestricted)* V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2

Assets (Year-End) FY2022 = $563,563Program Services 87%Management & Administration10%Fundraising3%1 9Functional Expenses FY2022

2 0V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Our Board of Directors Sharon Giovinazzo CEO, Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired San FranciscoReinhard Mabry President/CEO AlphaPointe Diane Nelson Executive Director, VIPS-Visually Impaired PreSchool Services Tammy Owen President, CEO, VIA Erika PetachPresident, Blind and Vision Rehab Services of PittsburghCourtney Plotner President/CEO, ABVI-South Carolina Executive CommitteeDirectors-at-LargeLauren Branch - ChairPresident/CEO, New View Oklahoma Bernadette Kappen - Vice-Chair Executive Director, New York Institute for Special Education Dennis Steiner - Treasurer President/CEO, VisionCorps Shari Roeseler - Secretary Executive Director, Society for the Blind Sacramento Miki Jordan - Immediate Past Chair CEO, Wayfinder Family ServicesLee Nasehi - President/CEO President/CEO, VisionServe Alliance

2 1V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Learn more about ourincredible Board

Special thanks to all of the gracious members, individuals,foundations, sponsors, and corporations that helped fuel ourmission-driven work throughout 2022, and beyond!2 2V I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2Generous SupportersLearn more about all the ways to support VisionServe Alliance!

2 3Lighthouse LouisianaMark LucasJune MansfieldRoxann MayrosJohn McInerneySusan McMillanNancy D. MillerBrandy MoonPhilip MurphDavid MurphreeLibby MurphyLee NasehiDiane NelsonNetwork for GoodNewView OklahomaAnat NulmanTamara OwenErika PetachPledgeling FoundationCourtney PlotnerSteve Pouliot Mark RichertShari RoeselerPriscilla RogersRachel E. RosenbaumTammy RoussellPerla SolorzanoDennis SteinerMaura SweeneyJohn ThompsonKen WarkentinBrandon WilliamsGeorge AbbottKirk AdamsAmazonAmerican Printing House for the BlindBank of AmericaJoyel BennettBlind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of PittsburghAllan BrennerBridge Multimedia Sheryl BrownDee BudgewaterCenter of Vision EnhancementChristopher & Helen ChapmanTerri DavisDelta GammaElly Du PreFirst Nonprofit GroupRebecca FowlesAmy Gascon Gibney Family FoundationHeather HaddockAudra HicksGidget HopfChristy HouseholterIntel FoundationDenise Jess Kyle JohnsonMiki JordanBernadette KappenTracy KeysJennifer LakeRebecca Ledder2022 Donors

2 4 Big Data Project SupportersLions Vision ServicesLouisiana Association for the BlindLouisiana Center for the BlindNebraska Commission for the Blind andVisually ImpairedNew York Vision RehabilitationAssociationNewView OklahomaNorth Carolina Department of Healthand Human Services, Division ofServices for the BlindOregon Commission for the BlindPennsylvania Association for the BlindPerkins School for the BlindSociety for the BlindSouth Carolina Commission for the BlindSpectrios Institute for Low Vision St. Louis Society for the BlindTexas Workforce CommissionThe Association for Education andRehabilitation of the Blind and Visually ImpairedThe Vision InstituteVision Forward AssociationWayfinder Family ServicesWisconsin Council of the Blind &Visually ImpairedAffiliated Blind of LouisianaAlabama Institute for the Blind and DeafAlphapointeAmerican Foundation for the BlindAmerican Printing House for the BlindAssociation for the Blind & VisuallyImpaired South CarolinaBeyond VisionBlind Employment Network of New YorkBraille Institute of AmericaCalifornia Agencies for the Blind andVisually ImpairedChicago LighthouseEarle Baum Center of the BlindFlorida Agencies Serving the Blind Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation AgencyGuide Dogs for the BlindHadley Institute for the Blind and VisuallyImpairedIndustries for the Blind and VisuallyImpairedLavelle Fund for the BlindLeader Dogs for the BlindLightHouse for the Blind & VisuallyImpaired, San FranciscoLighthouse for the Blind St. Louis Lighthouse Louisiana

2 5Learn more about all the ways to support VisionServe Alliance! Allied Instructional ServicesAmerican Printing House Bank of AmericaCleanLogicCVSFirst NonprofitHumanWareiYellow AccessLouisiana Association for the BlindLeader Dogs for the BlindMutual of AmericaNational Industries for the Blind OrCamPrevent BlindnessRealThing AISociety for the Blind of SacramentoSpark TherapeuticsVanda PharmaceuticalsVisperoMorgan StanleyV I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2 Sponsors

What People Say About VSAV I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2...the Big Data Project will continue to address thelack of real data to support decades of anecdotalevidence in the field of vision rehabilitation,Susan OlivoExecutive Director and CEO Lavelle Fund for the BlindI gain knowledge and insight from leaders in our field,which ultimately will allow Xavier Society to betterserve our patrons. As important, this collective oforganizations is working as one, to educate the manystakeholders in our field, and influence policy andlegislationMalachy FallonExecutive DirectorXavier Society for the Blind

VSA’s conferences are must attend events forme. The sessions and the relationships formedare extremely valuable for any professional inthis industry.Jason FrazierPresident & CEOMindsEyeV I S I O N S E R V E A L L I A N C E - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 2The National Big Data Report in particular isriveting. The stats showing how much more likelyfolks who are blind or visually impaired are toencounter life threatening chronic issues is veryinformative. Frank GibneyMember DirectorThe Gibney Family Foundatione

"I know there are so many older people who can stillachieve new goals and inspire everyone they know tolive life to the fullest. It takes access to quality services.AVLNC has four committees and at least a dozenworking groups tackling the most pressing issuesfacing people with blindness and vision loss." Elly du Pré, DPA,Accreditation Manager, AERI have used AVLNC’s NY Big Data Report to advocatefor increased funding for the older blind population. I use it in testimony for hearings and town hallmeetings with elected officials. The countyinformation is especially useful along with the countyprevalence rates.Nancy D. MillerExecutive Director & CEOVISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

My passion is for the provision of equitable, accessible,and excellent services for older people with vision loss.I don’t think our field and our nation have done nearlyenough. The good news is that we have an Aging andVision Loss National Coalition that is working hard onthis right now. Get involved. It will sustain you andwithout it, nothing else really matters.”Pris RogersCo-Chair, AVLNC Policy & Funding CommitteeVSA’s Texas Big Data Report helps support theexpansion of our Older Individuals Who are Blindprogram. Stakeholders use the data for theirorganizations and to advocate for our OIB programand services. Juanita BarkerDirector, Office of Blind ServicesTexas Workforce Commission

Thank you for your continued supportof VisionServe Alliance!C O N T A C T U SVisionServe Alliance8760 Manchester RoadSt. Louis, MO 63144314.961.8235info@VisionServeAlliance.orgC O N N E C T W I T H U S twitter.com/VisionServeAfacebook.com/VisionServeAlliancelinkedin.com/company/visionserve-allianceVisionServeAlliance.org