Pennsylvania Council of the Blind

To continue to be recognized as the leading advocacy organization for people with vision impairments in Pennsylvania. The aim of all our efforts is to encourage and assist people in achieving their potential as valued members of society.
The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) is a statewide membership organization consisting of blind, partially sighted, and sighted persons. Our goal is to encourage and assist people who are blind or vision impaired in seeking independence through employment, through the learning of blindness skills, and through personal and social adjustment. The PCB consists of 18 local chapters throughout the state and many members at large. It is the largest organization of blind people in our Commonwealth.

Chapter Meetings, Committee Meetings, Regional Meetings, Annual Convention and Conference

The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) was organized in 1934 when blind and low vision persons concerned about their situation came together to seek improvement. Since that time, PCB has been advocating for services, working with government, providing information through publication and conferences. Community based groups have formed chapters to deal with local issues, now 18 Committees are appointed by the PCB President, to deal with statewide matters. Committees meet monthly by conference call. PCB is a 501c3 corporation, has a board of directors and close to 1,000 members, most of whom are blind or visually impaired. Since 1977 PCB has been affiliated with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), a national organization of blind people.

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                                                            Promoting Independence and Opportunity for Persons with Vision Loss

                                                                                    PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

 
WHAT IS PCB?

The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind (PCB) is a statewide membership organization consisting of blind, partially sighted, and sighted persons. Our goal is to encourage and assist people who are blind or vision impaired in seeking independence through employment, through the learning of blindness skills, and through personal and social adjustment. The PCB consists of local chapters throughout the state and many members at large. It is the largest organization of blind people in our Commonwealth.

 ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

1. Information & Referral:

 Provides information on all aspects of blindness and where services can be obtained.

 2. Conventions and Regional Meetings:

PCB holds a statewide convention each fall and regional meetings each spring. Special meetings are also conducted each year to deal with legislative or other issues. Chapters meet monthly to discuss local issues and plan activities.

 3. Advocacy:

 PCB Initiates and monitors legislation affecting persons who are blind or vision impaired. PCB also assists individuals who are experiencing discrimination in the workplace or in the Community, and who are having difficulty securing services.

 4. Scholarships:

 PCB has established the Mae Davidow Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a visually impaired college student. The award is presented at the Annual Convention of the American Council of the Blind. Chapters also provide scholarships and a trust fund has been established to provide additional scholarships to Pennsylvania residents.

5. Publications:

The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind publishes THE ADVOCATE four (4) times a year in large print, Braille on cassette tape, by email and on our website. This news magazine includes articles regarding the organization and its chapters, an update on legislative issues, employment, technology, and any other activities related to blindness.

6. Affiliations:

PCB is affiliated with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) which serves Blind people on a national basis. ACB has an information hotline (Washington Connection) 1-800-424-8666, participates in law-making and legislative remedies and provides a network of support services across the United States. ACB also publishes the BRAILLE FORUM monthly in accessible format. PCB also sends representatives to ACB's national legislative seminars and works with the Pennsylvania Consumer Provider Council on Blindness (PCPCB), PCB also works with the Bureau of  Blindness and Visual Services, the Disability Budget Coalition, The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), and other state and local agencies.

 WHY JOIN PCB?

PCB provides a vehicle for blind and vision impaired persons to make their voices heard in a society which tends to respond more readily to large numbers of persons speaking out on common issues and concerns. PCB offers opportunity to meet, to observe, to discuss common experiences, hopes and problems, and to learn from each other.

Any person interested in working with PCB and who supports its purposes and objectives is invited to become a member by contacting a local Chapter or the PCB office in Harrisburg.

 
BLIND PEOPLE SHOWING THE WAY

In numbers there is strength. This is also true of PCB. With strength there is the ability to confront any problem and, by tapping the resources of a large membership, one can usually find the right solution. PCB members are available to help each other and to assist their sighted friends and neighbors better understand the difficulties of visual impairment. PCB members around the State are ready and willing to serve as speakers for groups or to talk with individuals encountering specific problems. One needs only to call.

OUR VISION

To continue to be recognized as the leading advocacy organization for people with vision impairments in Pennsylvania. The aim of all our efforts is to encourage and assist people in achieving their potential as valued members of society.

 PCB assistance, advocacy and encouragement will be carried out in such areas as but not limited to: all aspects of accessibility, transportation, education and employment.

Membership Application

 Name: ___________________________________________________________

 
Address: __________________________________________________________

  
City:______________________________________________________________

State:________________________________________ Zip:_________________

 
ANNUAL DUES:

Please Check One (1)    

__________ Individual Membership $10.00    

__________ R. Membership (Under Age 18) $5.00

__________ Agency Membership $20.00

__________  Lifetime Membership $1,000.00

__________ Contribution to Scholarship Fund $____________