irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.79MSWITCHBOARDS & CONTACT CENTER: WE OPERATE A MARKET COMPETITIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS WE OPERATE CONTACT CENTER AND SWITCHBOARD SERVICE FOR NUMEROUS FEDERAL, STATE, MUNICIPAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS PROVIDING SERVICES 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. SERVICES INCLUDE 211, THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE INFORMATION REFERRAL HELP LINE AND RESOURCE DATABASE FOR THE 8 COUNTIES OF WESTERN NEW YORK; NIAGARA COUNTY 311 SERVICE; SWITCHBOARD OPERATIONS AT THE VA MEDICAL CENTERS IN BUFFALO, NY AND ERIE, PA; UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SWITCHBOARD SERVICES; INTAKE FOR EMERGENCY RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES; HOUSING PLACEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS; AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFERINGS. OVER 65% OF THE STAFF IS BLIND OR PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND COMPENSATED WITH COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS.
- #2 $1.82MVISION REHABILITATION: AGENCY PROGRAMS PROVIDE VISION REHABILITATION AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE 8 COUNTIES IN WESTERN NEW YORK. WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES FROM BIRTH TO THE ELDERLY THAT FOCUS ON EARLY INTERVENTION, PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS IN THE HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY; ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY (WHITE CANE TRAVEL); SOCIAL WORK AND ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS COUNSELING; VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT; LOW VISION EXAMS AND INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT ASSIST WITH MAXIMIZING INDEPENDENCE. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 1000 CLIENTS ANNUALLY.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Orientation & Mobility (O&M)
One-on-one instruction in safe and effective travel using white canes, guide dogs, public transportation, and assistive technology to help individuals navigate homes, workplaces, and communities.
Recreation Programs
Structured social and recreational activities to reduce isolation and build confidence, including peer support groups and youth programs like YES (Youth Experiencing Success) and FOCUS.
Social Casework Services
Offers adjustment counseling, support groups, and assistance accessing community resources and benefits to address emotional, social, and practical needs related to vision loss.
Switchboards & Contact Center
Market-competitive social enterprise providing 24/7 contact center and switchboard services for federal, state, municipal, and commercial clients, including 211WNY, Niagara County 311, VA Medical Centers in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA, and University at Buffalo. Employs over 65% blind or physically disabled staff with competitive wages and benefits.
Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)
Special education services for children who are blind or visually impaired, including early intervention, school-based support, and educational planning.
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Provides training in independent living skills such as meal preparation, money management, and personal care using adaptive tools and techniques for individuals experiencing vision loss.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Vision Rehabilitation Services 2 activities
- Comprehensive vision rehabilitation servicesProvides vision rehabilitation services including early intervention, preschool and school-aged programs, independent living skills training, orientation and mobility (white cane travel), social work and adjustment to vision loss counseling, vocational training, job placement, low vision exams, and adaptive technology instruction. Services are delivered in homes, schools, and workplaces across Western New York to approximately 1,000 clients annually.
- Work Experience Training programProvides real-life employment training for individuals with visual impairments, covering 100% of wages and Workers’ Compensation for participants and providing a Certificate of Liability Insurance for host employers.
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Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
- Free technology training for seniors with vision lossOffers free drop-in technology training sessions for seniors with vision loss, providing instruction and equipment for smartphone, email, and internet use.
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Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Support groups for individuals with vision lossOffers a short-term support group facilitated by social workers and an ongoing peer-led support group for men and women experiencing vision loss.
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Workplace DEI Research and Training 1 activity
- Workplace diversity education through blind simulationConducts "Lunch & Learn" blind simulation presentations for workplaces, featuring interactive tasks such as blindfolded water pouring, adaptive technology demonstrations, white cane travel, and accessibility app use to promote understanding of visual impairment and inclusion.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Youth programs for children who are legally blindOperates FOCUS, a program for children ages 10–21 who are legally blind and have an active case with NYSCB, and READY, a monthly family recreation program during the school year for children and young adults ages 5–21 who are legally blind and their families.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Manufacturing and fulfillment services by blind and visually impaired workforceProvides manufacturing services including high visibility garments production, textile sewing, product assembly, glove packaging, specialty sewing, and order fulfillment, as well as industrial services such as collating, sorting, packing, point-of-purchase displays, kit building, and warehousing and fulfillment. These services have been offered since 1907, with blind and visually impaired employees performing over 75% of direct labor.
- Switchboard and contact center operations staffed by blind and visually impaired individualsManages switchboard operations at the VA Medical Centers in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA, the University at Buffalo, and operates the 211 health and human services information referral line for 8 counties in Western New York and the Niagara County 311 service, employing over 50 individuals who are blind or visually impaired, with over 65% of direct labor performed by blind or physically disabled staff.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$15.24M
Contributions & grants$1.99M13%
Program service revenue$11.85M78%
Investment income$1.24M8%
Other revenue$165K
expenses
Total expenses$12.87M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$5.65M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$21.87M
Cash$593K
Investments$15.68M
Liabilities$2.27M
Net assets$19.60M
Liquid reserves15.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL HILL | CEO | 40 | $190K |
| RAY LUDWIG | VICE PRESIDENT | 38 | $136K |
| GREG LOSI | CFO | 37 | $133K |
| RENEE DEFLAVIO | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 37 | $86K |
| FRANCA TRINCIA | PAST CFO | 37 | $55K |
board members · 20
- CHRISTINA PEARL — MEMBER
- DARYL SPRINGER — MEMBER
- DENNIS MCCOY — MEMBER
- HUMBERTO HERNANDEZ — MEMBER
- JAMES ZAWODZINSKI — MEMBER
- JASON CHAFFIN — MEMBER
- JASON T DANIELS — MEMBER
- JOHN EBERL — MEMBER
- JOHN KREMER — CHAIRPERSON
- KATE BEDARD — MEMBER
- KEN SULLIVAN — MEMBER
- LOU NUCHERENO — MEMBER
- MELISSA KEITH — SECRETARY
- MICHAEL LEAVELL — TREASURER
- RYAN FISHER — MEMBER
- SANDRA SIEMINSKI — MEMBER
- STEPHEN CARDARELLA — MEMBER
- STEPHEN V CROSS — VICE CHAIRPERSON
- TESSA R SCOTT — MEMBER
- VICTORIA DENT — MEMBER
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Ability One Partner — Partner in the AbilityOne Program, providing federal contracting opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.
- Avaya Corporation Partner — Donated a telecommunications system enabling the agency to operate a contact center accessible to blind users
- Buffalo Association of the Blind Partner — Historical predecessor organization that evolved into VIA Visually Impaired Advancement.
- Buffalo VA Medical Center Partner — Site of externship where clinical provider gained low vision care experience; indicates professional collaboration and training relationship.
- CABVI Partner — Established a Business Development Partnership in 2016
- Department of Education, Division of Blind Services Government — Collaborated with the agency and Lighthouse of Central Florida to deliver training programs for the blind and visually impaired
- Erie County Medical Center Transplant Program Partner — Maintains the kidney waitlist for the Erie County Medical Center Transplant Program
- Explore & More Partner — Employer partner where VIA supported volunteers who were subsequently hired.
- Feedmore WNY and Hearty Helpings, Inc. Partner — Collaborates with Feedmore WNY and Hearty Helpings, Inc., potentially through shared operational or community service initiatives.
- Industries for the Blind of New York State Network — Member organization that secures state institutional orders for workshops for the blind across New York State
- Lighthouse of Central Florida Partner — Partnered with the agency and the Florida Division of Blind Services to deliver hospitality and customer service training in Orlando, Florida
- MTA/Metro-North Partner — Supplies safety and high-visibility apparel to MTA/Metro-North.
- Marco's Pizza & Subs Partner — Employer partner that hired individuals with visual impairments supported by VIA job coaches.
- NYSCB Partner — Collaborates with NYSCB, requiring participants in FOCUS and READY programs to have an active case with the agency.
- National Industries for the Blind Network — Member of NIB, a national workshop development organization, and secured contracts through its network
- National Industries for the Blind Partner — Collaborates with National Industries for the Blind, supporting employment and economic advancement for individuals who are blind.
- New York State Commission for the Blind Government — State agency that approves and supports all of VIA's employment-related services.
- New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Partner — Supplies products and services to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
- New York State Preferred Source Program Government — Designated as a producer under the New York State Preferred Source Program (NYSPSP), qualifying for state procurement preferences.
- Olmsted Center for Sight Partner — Prior organizational name and entity in the lineage of VIA Visually Impaired Advancement.
- Social Solutions Portal Partner — Platform used for low vision clinic patient referrals.
- USA Defense Logistics Agency Partner — Supplies products and services to the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency through federal contracts.
- USA Department of Defense Partner — Provides goods and services under contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.
- USA General Services Administration Partner — Contracts with the U.S. General Services Administration to deliver products and services.
- University Ophthalmology Services Partner — Participated in a collaborative effort with the Department of Ophthalmology at UB and the agency to build the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute
- University at Buffalo Partner — Provides switchboard services for the University at Buffalo
- University at Buffalo (UB) School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Partner — Collaborated on the construction of the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, a nationally innovative partnership including University Ophthalmology Services
- VA Medical Center Partner — Manages switchboard operations for the VA Medical Center in Buffalo, New York.
- VA Medical Centers Partner — Provides switchboard operations at VA Medical Centers in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA
- Veterans One Stop Partner — Partnered with the agency to provide dedicated office hours assisting disabled and blind veterans
+ 1 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Fear Reduction Through Education and Psychological Readinessmethodology: fear-reduction-firstBy addressing psychological and emotional readiness through education and experiential learning, VIA reduces fear and uncertainty associated with vision loss, because understanding and simulated experience increase perceived self-efficacy and engagement in rehabilitation.
- Independence Through Rehabilitation and Skill-Buildingmethodology: independence-through-rehabilitationBy providing rehabilitation and skill-building tailored to individual goals, VIA empowers individuals with vision loss to achieve maximum independence, because functional capacity and confidence are strengthened through personalized, goal-oriented training.
- Individualized, Multi-Modal Support for Functional Independencemethodology: individualized_supportBy combining adaptive tools, environmental modifications, and multi-method mobility training tailored to individual needs, VIA enhances functional independence, because customized, multi-sensory strategies optimize residual capacity and promote safe, confident daily living and travel.
- Social Enterprise Employment Modelmethodology: social-enterprise-employment-modelBy operating a market-competitive contact center staffed by visually impaired individuals using adaptive technology, VIA creates sustainable employment opportunities, because integrating social impact into commercial operations enables workforce participation and professional development in real-world settings.