Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation

The Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation provides valuable financial assistance to organizations that directly support individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This crucial aid empowers these organizations to cater to people of all ages and diverse stages of vision loss by offering comprehensive training in essential skills like daily activities, orientation and mobility training, assistive technology, guide dog usage, low vision rehabilitation, literacy, and braille. Moreover, the Foundation extends its generous support to organizations offering career development, vocational training, recreational activities, and youth transitioning programs for blind and visually impaired persons. We also lend a helping hand by providing an assistive technology resources list and engaging in outreach to low vision organizations. Rdpfs has a thorough grant proposal and outcome evaluation process which helps ensure the success of the funded programs. In fiscal year 2023, rdpfs made 12 grants to 12 different organizations across the united states. Grant monies were designated for:*outreach project to various ophthalmology and optometric departments as well as low vision organizations. *county-by-county count of all seniors living with vision loss in new jersey. *provide training and support in the use of adaptive technology for people who are blind and visually impaired. *launch an online accessible music library database to transform the landscape of how people with vision loss access music scores and materials. *support for pilot program designed to increase the number of vision rehabilitation hours to seniors with vision loss. *create an educational program to train-the-trainers, genetic and breeding teams, veterinarians, and related staff at guide dog schools around the country to systematically improve the genetic diversity, health, behavior, and longevity of the guide dogs they breed. *implement the best practices for supporting and engaging individuals with vision loss or blindness and their allies as leaders and advocates for improved care, policies, and community support. *support for a three-day symposium for blind and visually impaired physical education teachers and adaptive sports organizations from across the tri-state area. *purchase braille and large print materials for older adult center event. In aggregate, these programs serve thousands of blind and visually impaired people across the country on a yearly basis.

The rdpfs large print publishing program made a significant impact, catering to the needs of 40,055 individuals through its select editions" large type periodical. A total of 200,274 volumes were distributed to subscribers, ensuring that they had access to engaging reading material in a format tailored for ease of reading for those with low vision. In addition to the large print periodical, subscribers also received a large print calendar with essential information on accessing low-vision services. By offering content formatted and printed to specific accessibility standards, the program is committed to empowering individuals with low vision, ensuring they can enjoy reading and stay informed in a way that fulfills their unique needs.