American Council of the Blind Ohio Chapter Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INCREASE THE INDEPENDENCE, SECURITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE, FOR ALL BLIND AND VISUALLY-IMPAIRED PEOPLE.
- Income
- $70,603
- Spending
- $124,001
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 32.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 41%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $43,000, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 76% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $28,057 spent. CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION: ACB-OHIO HOLDS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH A NEIGHBORING AFFILIATE, ACB-INDIANA. THE THREE-DAY EVENT IN STRONGSVILLE, OHIO ON NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025, WITH SEVENTY-NINE ATTENDING IN PERSON AND SEVENTEEN ATTENDING VIRTUALLY. THE CONFERENCE FEATURED SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, SOCIAL EVENTS, SPEAKERS, AND A VENDOR HALL. OUR PROGRAM PLANNING COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF BOARD MEMBERS, METICULOUSLY PLANS ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONVENTION AND SEEKS SPONSORS TO DEFRAY COSTS. THE THEME WAS "CELEBRATE RESISTANCE- AND SESSIONS INCLUDED: BUDGETING TO RETIREMENT AND BEYOND; A BRAILLE TRAIL EXPERIENCE; INDEPENDENT LIVING PANEL; SAFETY POSITIVE (SAFETY POSITIVE FOUNDATION); FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR THE BUSY WORKING ADULT; ACCESSIBLE ONLINE SHOPPING MADE EASY; CPR, AED, AND FIRST-AID; SELF- DEFENSE; AND DRESS FOR SUCCESS A LARGE GROUP WENT TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, WHERE THEY EXPERIENCED AUDIO-DESCRIBED TOURS TAILORED TO EACH PAIR OF EXPLORERS THANKS TO ELEVEN VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER. AT THE BANQUET, WE PRESENTED FOUR AWARDS TO THOSE WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OHIOANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. THE EVENING ENDED WITH A LIVELY FUNDRAISING AUCTION. WE DOCUMENT ANOTHER ANNUAL EVENT IN FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D. CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION: ACB-OHIO HOLDS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH A NEIGHBORING AFFILIATE, ACB-INDIANA. THE THREE-DAY EVENT IN STRONGSVILLE, OHIO ON NOVEMBER 14-16, 2025, WITH SEVENTY-NINE ATTENDING IN PERSON AND SEVENTEEN ATTENDING VIRTUALLY. THE CONFERENCE FEATURED SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, SOCIAL EVENTS, SPEAKERS, AND A VENDOR HALL. OUR PROGRAM PLANNING COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF BOARD MEMBERS, METICULOUSLY PLANS ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONVENTION AND SEEKS SPONSORS TO DEFRAY COSTS. THE THEME WAS "CELEBRATE RESISTANCE- AND SESSIONS INCLUDED: BUDGETING TO RETIREMENT AND BEYOND; A BRAILLE TRAIL EXPERIENCE; INDEPENDENT LIVING PANEL; SAFETY POSITIVE (SAFETY POSITIVE FOUNDATION); FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR THE BUSY WORKING ADULT; ACCESSIBLE ONLINE SHOPPING MADE EASY; CPR, AED, AND FIRST-AID; SELF- DEFENSE; AND DRESS FOR SUCCESS A LARGE GROUP WENT TO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, WHERE THEY EXPERIENCED AUDIO-DESCRIBED TOURS TAILORED TO EACH PAIR OF EXPLORERS THANKS TO ELEVEN VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER. AT THE BANQUET, WE PRESENTED FOUR AWARDS TO THOSE WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OHIOANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. THE EVENING ENDED WITH A LIVELY FUNDRAISING AUCTION. WE DOCUMENT ANOTHER ANNUAL EVENT IN FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D.
- $8,024 spent. MATCHING GRANTS: THROUGH OUR MATCHING GRANTS PROGRAM, ACB-OHIO PROVIDES HALF THE COST (UP TO 1,000) TO HELP OHIOANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED AFFORD ADAPTIVE/ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH CAN BE QUITE COSTLY. IN 2025, ACB-OHIO AWARDED 17 GRANTS TOTALING OVER 6,000. SEVENTEEN INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR TECHNOLOGY THAT HELPS THEM LIVE AND WORK INDEPENDENTLY, DEVICES THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD OTHERWISE. GRANTS HELPED RECIPIENTS BUY HIGH TECH, LOW TECH, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. BRUCE TEGOWSKI RECEIVED 278 TO HELP BUY AN ACCESSIBLE PHONE TO ALLOW HIM TO HEAR WEATHER REPORTS AS WELL AS NAVIGATE IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD. CALVIN LEWIS RECEIVED 415 DOLLARS TO HELP HIM PURCHASE A VIDEO MAGNIFIER THAT WILL HELP HIM RECLAIM INDEPENDENCE AS HE READS STORE FLYERS AND MAIL WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM HIS WIFE. OTHER GRANTS HELPED PAY FOR HIGH POWERED MAGNIFYING GLASSES, AND SMART GLASSES. ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT. MATCHING GRANTS: THROUGH OUR MATCHING GRANTS PROGRAM, ACB-OHIO PROVIDES HALF THE COST (UP TO 1,000) TO HELP OHIOANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED AFFORD ADAPTIVE/ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH CAN BE QUITE COSTLY. IN 2025, ACB-OHIO AWARDED 17 GRANTS TOTALING OVER 6,000. SEVENTEEN INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR TECHNOLOGY THAT HELPS THEM LIVE AND WORK INDEPENDENTLY, DEVICES THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD OTHERWISE. GRANTS HELPED RECIPIENTS BUY HIGH TECH, LOW TECH, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. BRUCE TEGOWSKI RECEIVED 278 TO HELP BUY AN ACCESSIBLE PHONE TO ALLOW HIM TO HEAR WEATHER REPORTS AS WELL AS NAVIGATE IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD. CALVIN LEWIS RECEIVED 415 DOLLARS TO HELP HIM PURCHASE A VIDEO MAGNIFIER THAT WILL HELP HIM RECLAIM INDEPENDENCE AS HE READS STORE FLYERS AND MAIL WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM HIS WIFE. OTHER GRANTS HELPED PAY FOR HIGH POWERED MAGNIFYING GLASSES, AND SMART GLASSES. ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT.
- $1,620 spent. ADVOCACY: EACH SPRING, A SMALL GROUP OF ACBO MEMBERS VISIT WASHINGTON, DC FOR A TWO DAY-LONG LEADERSHIP SEMINAR, FOLLOWED BY A DAY-LONG LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR, DURING WHICH THEY LEARN ABOUT PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD IMPACT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION. ON THE LAST DAY, THE GROUP GOES TO CAPITOL HILL TO ADVOCATE FOR THESE MEASURES, TALKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR STAFF ABOUT THESE ISSUES. SEVEN OF OUR MEMBERS WENT TO WASHINGTON, DC IN 2025, AND ADVOCATED FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL, IMPLORING REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT BILLS FOR THE MEDICAL DEVICE NONVISUAL ACCESSIBILITY ACT WHICH WOULD MAKE CLASS 2 AND CLASS 3 MEDICAL DEVICES FOR HOME OR OUTPATIENT EQUIPMENT SUCH AS GLUCOSE MONITORS, BLOOD PRESSURE HAVE ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES LIKE TEXT TO SPEECH OUTPUT, TACTILE MARKINGS, OR AUDIBLE TONES BUILT IN;\ AND IMPLORING REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT BILLS FOR WEB AND SOFTWARE ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPANDED AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON TV AND STREAMING PLATFORMS TO MAKE POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACCESS FULLER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE WHEN WATCHING VIDEO PROGRAMS. ADVOCACY: EACH SPRING, A SMALL GROUP OF ACBO MEMBERS VISIT WASHINGTON, DC FOR A TWO DAY-LONG LEADERSHIP SEMINAR, FOLLOWED BY A DAY-LONG LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR, DURING WHICH THEY LEARN ABOUT PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD IMPACT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION. ON THE LAST DAY, THE GROUP GOES TO CAPITOL HILL TO ADVOCATE FOR THESE MEASURES, TALKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR STAFF ABOUT THESE ISSUES. SEVEN OF OUR MEMBERS WENT TO WASHINGTON, DC IN 2025, AND ADVOCATED FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL, IMPLORING REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT BILLS FOR THE MEDICAL DEVICE NONVISUAL ACCESSIBILITY ACT WHICH WOULD MAKE CLASS 2 AND CLASS 3 MEDICAL DEVICES FOR HOME OR OUTPATIENT EQUIPMENT SUCH AS GLUCOSE MONITORS, BLOOD PRESSURE HAVE ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES LIKE TEXT TO SPEECH OUTPUT, TACTILE MARKINGS, OR AUDIBLE TONES BUILT IN;\ AND IMPLORING REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT BILLS FOR WEB AND SOFTWARE ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPANDED AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON TV AND STREAMING PLATFORMS TO MAKE POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACCESS FULLER AND RICHER EXPERIENCE WHEN WATCHING VIDEO PROGRAMS.
- $63,682 spent. AWARDS: ACB-OHIO OFFERS AWARDS TO HONOR OHIO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO HAVE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND COMMUNITY. IN 2025 THE ORGANIZATION WAS PRIVILEGED TO PRESENT SIX AWARDS: THE RUTH DAVIDSON AWARD TO TOM SAWYER, A RECENTLY RETIRED OUTREACH SERVICES SPECIALIST AT THE CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY WHILE TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO MANY BLIND ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WENT TO JPMORGANCHASE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PROVIDING THEM WITH ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED TO SUCCEED SUCH AS JAWS AND AIRA. MEDINA CHAPTER MEMBER ARLA SIMONIS WON THIS YEARS KEN MORLOCK AWARD FOR HER UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND ENTHUSIASM KEEP THE MEDINA CHAPTER ENERGIZED. THE AMBASSADOR AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO IWIN HOTT FOR HIS LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AS THE EDITOR OF THE NEWSREEL AUDIO PROGRAM AND HIS UPLIFTING AND CLEAR DELIVERY HAS HELPED EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND. PRESERVATION PARKS OF DELAWARE COUNTY WAS HONORED WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FOR CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE TRAIL AT HOGBACK RIDGE PARK. PARK MANAGERS CASEY SMITH AND ZACH MESSINGER SPEARHEADED ITS CREATION, SEEKING INPUT FROM ACBO MEMBERS, OTHER NON-PROFITS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND PARK SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE NATION, TO BUILD A TRAIL THAT ENABLES ALL PEOPLE TO SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WORLD. THE ARLENE COHEN ART OF TEACHING AWARD WAS AWARDED TO JON STRICKLEN FROM OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND. HIS TEACHING CAREER EMBODIES THE VERY ESSENCE OF THIS AWARDEXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, INNOVATION, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. NEWSLETTER: OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, THE OHIO CONNECTION, GOES TO ALL NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS AND TO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OUR WORK. OUR NEWSLETTER CONTAINS PROFILES AND ARTICLES THAT MEMBERS SUBMIT ABOUT ADVOCACY, UPCOMING EVENTS, MEMBER PROFILES, AND ARTICLES INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, TRAVEL, BOARD ELECTIONS, LEGISLATIVE IMPERATIVES, AND BIOS OF AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. WE PROVIDE COPIES IN LARGE PRINT, BY E-MAIL, AND EACH ISSUE IS ON NFB NEWSLINE, AN AUDIO READING SERVICE ACCESSIBLE BY PHONE. THE MOST RECENT ISSUE, AS WELL AS ARCHIVES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. VOICECORPS PROGRAM: FOR YEARS, ACB-OHIO HAS HAD A MONTHLY SHOW ON VOICECORPS READING SERVICE. EACH SHOW IS HOSTED BY OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND FEATURES GUESTS WHO TALK ABOUT TOPICS OF INTEREST TO PEOPLE IN THE BLINDNESS/LOW VISION COMMUNITY. IN 2025 GUESTS INCLUDED TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS, PRODUCT VENDORS, LEADERS FROM ACB'S NATIONAL OFFICE AND OTHER AFFILIATES. IT ENABLES US TO SHARE WHAT ACB-OHIO IS DOING, KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED, AND BRING AWARENESS TO STATE AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES. SPORTS AND RECREATION: SOCIAL INTERACTION AND EXERCISE ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. ACB-OHIO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO GET PEOPLE MOVING AND FIGHT THE ISOLATION AND STRESS OF LIVING WITHOUT VISION IN A SIGHT-CENTRIC WORLD. IN 2025, THE RECREATION COMMITTEE PLANNED A FALLFEST RETREAT WEEKEND IN WOOSTER, OHIO. TWENTY-ONE ACBO MEMBERS WERE TOGETHER AGAIN AT THE THIRD ANNUAL FALL CELEBRATION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER IN SCENIC NORTHEASTERN OHIO. THANKS TO THE GREAT STAFF AT BEST WESTERN WOOSTER, OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS IN THE WOOSTER NOON LIONS CLUB, AND THE FRIENDLY FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, WE HAD ANOTHER AWESOME WEEKEND FILLED WITH GREAT FOOD, CONVERSATION, FUN, AND EXCITEMENT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FEST OCCURRED DURING FRIDAY NIGHTS PIZZA PARTY WITH A CHILDREN FROM THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. THEY HELPED SERVE FOOD AND LEARNED ABOUT VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS BY WALKING WITH BLINDFOLDS AND JOINING US IN ACCESSIBLE GAMES LIKE TACTILE CONNECT 4 AND BRAILLE GO FISH. SCHOLARSHIPS: ACB-OHIO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN OHIO AND THOSE WHOSE PROGRAM OF STUDY BENEFITS THE BVI COMMUNITY, SUCH AS VISION REHABILITATION THERAPISTS AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALISTS. OUR 1000 FRIENDS OF FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS AN ENTERING FRESHMAN WHO IS BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND IS FROM OHIO OR ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN OHIO. OUR ACB- OHIO SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDE UP TO 5,000 FOR STUDENTS IN 2- OR 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, OR OTHER POSTSECONDARY STUDY, SUCH AS CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRADE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, SPECIAL CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE. IN 2025, WE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO THREE OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS. ACB-OHIO ALSO HAS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS AT THREE UNIVERSITIES IN OHIO: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, AND WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY. WE ALSO INCLUDE THOSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, CHOSEN BY THE UNIVERSITIES, IN OUR RECOGNITION CEREMONY. OUTREACH AND REFERRAL: OUR OFFICE RECEIVES AROUND 15 TO 20 CALLS AND EMAILS A WEEK FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING BLINDNESS AND VISION LOSS OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL, REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER NONPROFITS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE DIRECT THEM TO RESOURCES IN OHIO, AND PROVIDE CONTACTS, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND OFFER SUPPORT.
- AWARDS: ACB-OHIO OFFERS AWARDS TO HONOR OHIO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO HAVE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND COMMUNITY. IN 2025 THE ORGANIZATION WAS PRIVILEGED TO PRESENT SIX AWARDS: THE RUTH DAVIDSON AWARD TO TOM SAWYER, A RECENTLY RETIRED OUTREACH SERVICES SPECIALIST AT THE CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY WHILE TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO MANY BLIND ADULTS AND CHILDREN. THE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WENT TO JPMORGANCHASE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO HIRING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PROVIDING THEM WITH ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED TO SUCCEED SUCH AS JAWS AND AIRA. MEDINA CHAPTER MEMBER ARLA SIMONIS WON THIS YEARS KEN MORLOCK AWARD FOR HER UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND ENTHUSIASM KEEP THE MEDINA CHAPTER ENERGIZED. THE AMBASSADOR AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO IWIN HOTT FOR HIS LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AS THE EDITOR OF THE NEWSREEL AUDIO PROGRAM AND HIS UPLIFTING AND CLEAR DELIVERY HAS HELPED EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND. PRESERVATION PARKS OF DELAWARE COUNTY WAS HONORED WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FOR CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE TRAIL AT HOGBACK RIDGE PARK. PARK MANAGERS CASEY SMITH AND ZACH MESSINGER SPEARHEADED ITS CREATION, SEEKING INPUT FROM ACBO MEMBERS, OTHER NON-PROFITS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND PARK SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE NATION, TO BUILD A TRAIL THAT ENABLES ALL PEOPLE TO SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WORLD. THE ARLENE COHEN ART OF TEACHING AWARD WAS AWARDED TO JON STRICKLEN FROM OHIO STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND. HIS TEACHING CAREER EMBODIES THE VERY ESSENCE OF THIS AWARDEXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, INNOVATION, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. NEWSLETTER: OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, THE OHIO CONNECTION, GOES TO ALL NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS AND TO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OUR WORK. OUR NEWSLETTER CONTAINS PROFILES AND ARTICLES THAT MEMBERS SUBMIT ABOUT ADVOCACY, UPCOMING EVENTS, MEMBER PROFILES, AND ARTICLES INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, TRAVEL, BOARD ELECTIONS, LEGISLATIVE IMPERATIVES, AND BIOS OF AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. WE PROVIDE COPIES IN LARGE PRINT, BY E-MAIL, AND EACH ISSUE IS ON NFB NEWSLINE, AN AUDIO READING SERVICE ACCESSIBLE BY PHONE. THE MOST RECENT ISSUE, AS WELL AS ARCHIVES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE. VOICECORPS PROGRAM: FOR YEARS, ACB-OHIO HAS HAD A MONTHLY SHOW ON VOICECORPS READING SERVICE. EACH SHOW IS HOSTED BY OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND FEATURES GUESTS WHO TALK ABOUT TOPICS OF INTEREST TO PEOPLE IN THE BLINDNESS/LOW VISION COMMUNITY. IN 2025 GUESTS INCLUDED TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS, PRODUCT VENDORS, LEADERS FROM ACB'S NATIONAL OFFICE AND OTHER AFFILIATES. IT ENABLES US TO SHARE WHAT ACB-OHIO IS DOING, KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED, AND BRING AWARENESS TO STATE AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES. SPORTS AND RECREATION: SOCIAL INTERACTION AND EXERCISE ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. ACB-OHIO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO GET PEOPLE MOVING AND FIGHT THE ISOLATION AND STRESS OF LIVING WITHOUT VISION IN A SIGHT-CENTRIC WORLD. IN 2025, THE RECREATION COMMITTEE PLANNED A FALLFEST RETREAT WEEKEND IN WOOSTER, OHIO. TWENTY-ONE ACBO MEMBERS WERE TOGETHER AGAIN AT THE THIRD ANNUAL FALL CELEBRATION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER IN SCENIC NORTHEASTERN OHIO. THANKS TO THE GREAT STAFF AT BEST WESTERN WOOSTER, OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS IN THE WOOSTER NOON LIONS CLUB, AND THE FRIENDLY FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, WE HAD ANOTHER AWESOME WEEKEND FILLED WITH GREAT FOOD, CONVERSATION, FUN, AND EXCITEMENT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FEST OCCURRED DURING FRIDAY NIGHTS PIZZA PARTY WITH A CHILDREN FROM THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. THEY HELPED SERVE FOOD AND LEARNED ABOUT VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS BY WALKING WITH BLINDFOLDS AND JOINING US IN ACCESSIBLE GAMES LIKE TACTILE CONNECT 4 AND BRAILLE GO FISH. SCHOLARSHIPS: ACB-OHIO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN OHIO AND THOSE WHOSE PROGRAM OF STUDY BENEFITS THE BVI COMMUNITY, SUCH AS VISION REHABILITATION THERAPISTS AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALISTS. OUR 1000 FRIENDS OF FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS AN ENTERING FRESHMAN WHO IS BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND IS FROM OHIO OR ATTENDING A SCHOOL IN OHIO. OUR ACB- OHIO SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDE UP TO 5,000 FOR STUDENTS IN 2- OR 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, OR OTHER POSTSECONDARY STUDY, SUCH AS CONTINUING EDUCATION, TRADE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, SPECIAL CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE. IN 2025, WE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO THREE OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS. ACB-OHIO ALSO HAS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS AT THREE UNIVERSITIES IN OHIO: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, AND WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY. WE ALSO INCLUDE THOSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, CHOSEN BY THE UNIVERSITIES, IN OUR RECOGNITION CEREMONY. OUTREACH AND REFERRAL: OUR OFFICE RECEIVES AROUND 15 TO 20 CALLS AND EMAILS A WEEK FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING BLINDNESS AND VISION LOSS OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL, REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER NONPROFITS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WE DIRECT THEM TO RESOURCES IN OHIO, AND PROVIDE CONTACTS, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND OFFER SUPPORT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1984.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.