Federation Center of the Blind
Headquarters of the NFB of SC
Executive Director: David Houck
The Federation Center of the Blind offers the blind a wide variety of programs and services designed to encourage independence, productivity and promote proper attitudes about the blind and the respectability of blindness. Given the education and training in blindness related skills, any blind person can compete on terms of equality with their sighted peers in school, on the job and in society as a whole.
Operated by the blind to improve the quality of life for the blind
The Federation Center of the Blind (formerly the Aurora Center) is owned and operated by the blind of South Carolina. Through its programs and services, the Federation Center has promoted security, equality and opportunity for all blind South Carolinians since 1961. A seven member Board of Trustees, all of whom are blind, govern the operation of the Federation Center with the valuable assistance of a distinguished Advisory Board of prominent civic and business leaders. The Federation Center of the Blind believes in blind people and is committed to the total mainstreaming of the blind into the social, spiritual and economic spheres of their communities.
Programs & Services
Classes, Workshops & Seminars - The Federation Center offers a variety of classes, workshops and seminars designed to enhance the lives of blind South Carolinians ranging from educational issues and career orientation, to braille and computer instruction.
Counseling & Consultation - Understanding blindness can be difficult. The Federation Center offers newly-blinded persons and their families the opportunity to talk with others who are blind. Helpful guidance and encouragement result from the exchange of mutual problems and experiences.
Personal Assistance - With the help of volunteers, the Federation Center assists blind persons with transportation, shopping, reading, banking, letter writing and more.
Information & Referral - The Federation Center maintains a library of print, tape and braille materials covering a variety of topics for distribution or loan to blind persons. The staff also assists blind persons in the location of specific services outside the realm of the Center's services.
The Palmetto Blind - A source of up-to-date information for blind South Carolinians, this quarterly publication of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is coordinated and distributed in large print, cassette tape, braille and e-mail by the Federation Center.
Public Awareness - A Speaker's Bureau, brochures, films and other materials are available to businesses, civic groups, schools, churches and others. Upon request, the Federation Center will assist groups in the planning and development of service projects for the blind.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - The Federation Center stands ready to assist with compliance to the ADA. Equal access to employment, transportation, housing and other services is crucial to the blind. We can work with you in meeting ADA requirements.
Braille Instruction - The Federation Center of the Blind provides instruction in braille, braille transcription, braille aids and appliances, games are played in Braille and large print at activities and the Center produces over 20,000 pages of braille each year for a variety of purposes for the blind.
Computers & Technology - The Federation Center has adaptive computer technologies which can literally place the world at your fingertips! We utilize blind instructors to teach the blind how to operate current computer technologies. We are capable of transcribing materials into braille for schools, restaurants, hotels, businesses, etc. at a nominal fee. Small one-time items like Brailling greeting cards are usually at no charge. Our screen scanners allow the blind to read their own mail, upload printed information into a computer and even transcribe that information into braille.
Aids & Appliances - High quality aids for the blind at low cost are available through the Center. Items include braille supplies, talking devices, games and much more.
If you are blind or know someone who is blind, call us at 803-254-3777, fax us at 803-252-5655 or E-Mail us here. Our mailing address is 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205.
The Federation Center of the Blind offers the blind a wide variety of programs and services designed to encourage independence, productivity and promote proper attitudes about the blind and the respectability of blindness. Given the education and training in blindness related skills, any blind person can compete on terms of equality with their sighted peers in school, on the job and in society as a whole.
Operated by the blind to improve the quality of life for the blind
The Federation Center of the Blind (formerly the Aurora Center) is owned and operated by the blind of South Carolina. Through its programs and services, the Federation Center has promoted security, equality and opportunity for all blind South Carolinians since 1961. A seven member Board of Trustees, all of whom are blind, govern the operation of the Federation Center with the valuable assistance of a distinguished Advisory Board of prominent civic and business leaders. The Federation Center of the Blind believes in blind people and is committed to the total mainstreaming of the blind into the social, spiritual and economic spheres of their communities.
Programs & Services
Classes, Workshops & Seminars - The Federation Center offers a variety of classes, workshops and seminars designed to enhance the lives of blind South Carolinians ranging from educational issues and career orientation, to braille and computer instruction.
Counseling & Consultation - Understanding blindness can be difficult. The Federation Center offers newly-blinded persons and their families the opportunity to talk with others who are blind. Helpful guidance and encouragement result from the exchange of mutual problems and experiences.
Personal Assistance - With the help of volunteers, the Federation Center assists blind persons with transportation, shopping, reading, banking, letter writing and more.
Information & Referral - The Federation Center maintains a library of print, tape and braille materials covering a variety of topics for distribution or loan to blind persons. The staff also assists blind persons in the location of specific services outside the realm of the Center's services.
The Palmetto Blind - A source of up-to-date information for blind South Carolinians, this quarterly publication of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is coordinated and distributed in large print, cassette tape, braille and e-mail by the Federation Center.
Public Awareness - A Speaker's Bureau, brochures, films and other materials are available to businesses, civic groups, schools, churches and others. Upon request, the Federation Center will assist groups in the planning and development of service projects for the blind.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - The Federation Center stands ready to assist with compliance to the ADA. Equal access to employment, transportation, housing and other services is crucial to the blind. We can work with you in meeting ADA requirements.
Braille Instruction - The Federation Center of the Blind provides instruction in braille, braille transcription, braille aids and appliances, games are played in Braille and large print at activities and the Center produces over 20,000 pages of braille each year for a variety of purposes for the blind.
Computers & Technology - The Federation Center has adaptive computer technologies which can literally place the world at your fingertips! We utilize blind instructors to teach the blind how to operate current computer technologies. We are capable of transcribing materials into braille for schools, restaurants, hotels, businesses, etc. at a nominal fee. Small one-time items like Brailling greeting cards are usually at no charge. Our screen scanners allow the blind to read their own mail, upload printed information into a computer and even transcribe that information into braille.
Aids & Appliances - High quality aids for the blind at low cost are available through the Center. Items include braille supplies, talking devices, games and much more.
If you are blind or know someone who is blind, call us at 803-254-3777, fax us at 803-252-5655 or E-Mail us here. Our mailing address is 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205.