Working with the visually impaired
Most people only know about blindness or visual disabilities because of celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. I have a little more experience, because my grandfather, Pasquale Zucaro, was blind. I remember walking him to his liquor store a few times a week, from his home a few blocks away. One time, as we went over a hose on the sidewalk, I said too late, “Grandpa, look out for the hose!” He clutched my arm and said, in his thick Italian accent, “I canna see, you knuckle a head!”
The blindness came on later in his life as a consequence of his diabetes. In addition to many daily activities that we take for granted, he lost his ability to play the clarinet because he couldn’t read music anymore. This was probably what upset him the most. My grandmother, Josephine, made his life as normal as possible despite his disability. Many years ago, he was a client at The Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA). I was curious to see how attitudes towards the visually impaired and services for them had changed so I arranged a meeting with the Executive Director, Christopher Burke.
NABA offers a wide array of services for the blind and visually impaired including a children’s recreation program, counseling, living skills, social work, job readiness training, placing legally blind adults in professional employment, and providing rehabilitation services to seniors with age-related vision loss. In 1908, the founder, Frank Leslie Frost, who lost his sight after getting hit by a baseball in high school, organized ten people to “Improve the conditions of the blind”.
I asked Mr. Burke what he considered to be one of the best tools for the blind today. He said quickly, “smart phones.” Voice activation and use of APPs have been a wonderful aid to those who have lost their sight. Subsequent to our interview, we went on a tour of the facility on Washington Avenue in Albany, where I witnessed people on the manufacturing floor working on sewing machines. Right away I thought, “My God, what if they get stuck!” According to Harry Weatherwax, the Director of Manufacturing, “These very capable workers just want to be part of society and be productive.”
In the Work Experience Training program, Charlie is employed in a local supermarket, and despite his total blindness, he wrote this email. ”Even though I’m only on day two, it’s going absolutely great, and I do love my job so far. Matter of fact, people often say to me “Use your charms and your personality to win ‘em over, cause it’ll really be a great turnout for you in the long run”.
I met Megan at the local YMCA when she scanned my identity badge. She is a visually impaired volunteer. Shannon Romanowski, the District Executive Director Greenbush Area Branch said, “The YMCA welcomes individuals of all diverse abilities. We are proud to partner with NABA in an effort to create a culture of inclusion and support for our community.” At the Troy YMCA, Director of Operations, Ashli
Fragomeni spoke about one of her visually impaired volunteers. “Working with Zeke has been fantastic for our staff and our campers. He has helped us break barriers at the staff and camper level by always being ready and willing to help. Campers of all ages learn the value of working together and making friends, no matter our differences.”
NABA’s 2016 annual report started with a letter written by Christopher Burke. The last paragraph was meaningful and was the best ending for my column. “While NABA has experienced many program changes over the years, we remain dedicated to our core mission: helping blind and visually impaired consumers – young and old, and everyone in between – to be ready for the future of this dynamic world. We look ahead with confidence.”