2007 ANNUAL REPORT

BLINDCONNECT, INC.

Established as a nonprofit in 1998, Blindconnect, Inc. has just completed its 9th year of providing information, referral, and peer support to blind and visually impaired adults in Clark county, Nevada.

Focused on meeting its mission to connect blind people to other blind persons, to available services and resources, and to their community-at-large, Blindconnect continued outreach efforts as well as education opportunities for blind and sighted individuals throughout 2007.

As part of this outreach, organization members presented informational sessions as assisted living facilities, elementary schools, college classes, businesses, and affiliation groups. This effort fostered understanding of blindness and the abilities of blind and visually impaired individuals. Members also represented the blindness community on several State Boards and Councils including the State Rehabilitation Council, Interagency Transition Advisory Board, Aging and Disability Resource Center workgroup, the State Plan Accountability committee, and the State Workforce Investment Board. Locally, members served on the RTC Transportation access Advisory committee and provided information and resources to enhance public programs.

Blindconnect continued its leadership role with the collaborative Vision Forum. Public and private blindness agencies and low vision vendors and speakers offered a free one-day resource to more than 200 individuals with vision loss. Due to ongoing success, this program will continue in 2008.

Blindconnect continues to provide information and referral by telephone and in-person to individuals, families, businesses, and governmental entities. Data indicates that nearly 4,700 were provided some level of information or referral on blindness issues during 2007. More than 100 individuals visited the Blindconnect office to learn about opportunities and to test computer programs as well as high and low tech equipment.

There was public acknowledgement. Blindconnect and its services were detailed in a Las Vegas Review-Journal article. And our President was honored with designation as a national Points of Light recipient for with blindness issues in the community.

The Angela's House blindness skills training center project, in recognition of Angela Beller Hoffman, remained a program priority. Steering Committee members, representing public and private providers of services, met regularly to develop a mission and plan-of-action for achievement. Members of the Committee visited training centers in San Diego and Sacramento to research programs. A representative attended a 3-day National Federation of the Blind workshop on blindness training centers in December. The Committee continues to meet with the hope of initiating a mental health component in 2008.

The Board of Directors determined that Angela's House should become an independent program of Blindconnect until it is firmly established. Consequently, the program has it's own bank account, highly successful Poker Run fundraiser, and Angela's Tool Box which contains high-tech items for client use.

Blindconnect, an accredited United Way partner, continues its efforts to meets its mission, increase and diversify its Board membership, and develop a financial plan for long-term sustainability.