Unfortunately, VABVI’s current facility is cramped and cannot accommodate the future need to increase staff, train clients, innovate technology and expand services for our clients. Fiscal year 2007 was a busy time for the agency, as we intensified preparation for a capital campaign to build a new client services center / administrative office in the Champlain Valley.

Based on available population and health statistics, in the next 20 years more than 18,000 Vermonters will be visually impaired, almost doubling the current number of blind or visually impaired residents.

Approximately 10,500 individuals are blind or visually impaired in Vermont, with 3,000 legally blind. In addition, national health projections show a rapid growth in the number of people who, as they age, will face visual impairment and/or blindness due to age-related problems, ocular diseases, injury and as a by-product of other major diseases such as diabetes.

First conceived in 2005, tentative plans to move from the cramped offices at 37 Elmwood Avenue in Burlington began with a space needs study and continued with a feasibility study. In January, BHC Consulting Group advised the VABVI Board of Directors that a $3.5 million capital campaign and additional endowment component had a “high likelihood of success.”

As of winter 2008, VABVI is still in the early campaign stages, so we look forward to sharing more details about the new service center – and how you can help – very soon.