Envision the Possibilities in North Texas | Capital Campaign | Envision Dallas
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Envision the Possibilities in North Texas

Providing more jobs and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Envision is pleased to announce the purchase of a new facility. Located in the Dallas suburb of Farmer’s Branch, the 210,000 square foot building will be the new home of Envision Dallas in spring of 2024. This expansion will allow for the entire operation to be under one roof. 

The expansion and renovation will create a fully accessible workspace for people who are blind or visually impaired. This includes a 100-seat call center, expanded manufacturing space, an early childhood development center, enhanced rehabilitation and clinical services, and a workforce innovation center focusing on training and job creation.

two men working on computer monitor using assistive technology

Two children enjoy creating art in arts studio

Envision Dallas Today

Envision Dallas, one of the largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired in Texas, has been rapidly expanding to create employment opportunities and access to critical services for North Texans who are blind or visually impaired. Today, we employ nearly 150 people who are blind or visually impaired, and we serve more than 3,000 clients annually with programs that promote independence and opportunity. Those programs include the SOS (Serving Our Seniors) outreach program, vocational training and one-on-one assistive technology courses, art programming, a mentorship program for blind or visually impaired college students, and orientation and mobility and occupational therapy through the Gigi and Carl Allen Family Vision Rehabilitation Center. Still, there are so many more Texans who need help!

Make a positive impact on the lives of over 150,000 North Texans.

We invite you to Envision the Possibilities.

See the Potential

To deliver the full range of services for North Texans who are blind or visually impaired, Envision Dallas is mounting a $15 million campaign to raise the funds needed to renovate a facility that will allow us to expand our programs, rehabilitation and employment services and consolidate operations into one centralized location.

Woman guides another woman who is blind in model apartment
Woman working on sewing safety apparel.

"The future for Envision Dallas is very bright. With a new building we’ll be able to continue our amazing growth and ensure that the people in our community who are blind or visually impaired have access to life-changing services and employment opportunities. The need in North Texas is great, but our vision for what we can accomplish is even greater."

— Michael Monteferrante, Envision President and CEO

Our Community Need is Significant

There are more than 150,000 North Texans who are blind or vision impaired. A poll from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology found that Americans believe losing their vision would create the largest impact on their lives. Vision loss ranked even higher than other life-altering effects like Alzheimer’s and cancer. The loss of independence and quality of life were the top concerns for those surveyed. At Envision Dallas, our clients live with this reality every day.

For these individuals, vision loss can lead to significant gaps in educational achievement and employment opportunities. In North Texas, no other organization matches Envision Dallas’ comprehensive array of services, programs and employment opportunities in manufacturing and knowledge-based jobs designed to provide opportunity, improved quality of life and fulfillment.

Our current facility has exceeded its capacity, which is restricting our ability to deliver crucial programs and employment opportunities that are severely lacking for the community of people who are blind or visually impaired in North Texas.

Creating Opportunities

The Envision the Possibilities capital campaign will support renovations of our new 210,000 square-foot facility which is centrally located in Farmers Branch in an area that has far greater accessibility to our clients and employees who are blind or visually impaired that our current leased facilities.

Doing so enables Envision Dallas to make an impact for individuals who are BVI by:

Providing space, equipment and technology to accommodate long-term growth plans and create 200 new jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired .

Opening the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center that will offer comprehensive and inclusive learning experiences and support for children who are BVI, sighted children and their families.

Implementing the Envision Dallas William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center that helps ready individuals who are blind or visually impaired for knowledge-based jobs.

Expanding the Gigi and Carl Allen Family Rehabilitation Center serving all ages with vital therapy, training and support.

Launching a variety of life-changing programs including college readiness and a vibrant art program for all ages to provide support, community and connections.

Conducting groundbreaking research at the Envision Research Institute with the goal of removing the barriers for people with blindness or low vision.

The programs and services provided by Envision Dallas can mean the difference between unemployment and meaningful work; between assisted living and living independently; between dropping out of school and excelling in college; between a sense of isolation and a sense of belonging.

All of this ensures that Envision Dallas is able to meet the needs of the blind or visually impaired community in North Texas from birth through career and beyond.

Did You Know?

1 in 28 Americans aged 40 and older has low vision—a trend that will continue to increase as the population ages.

7.5 million people in the US are blind or visually impaired— a figure expected to double by 2030.

30% of people who are blind or visually impaired in the US live below the poverty line.

16% of students who are blind or visually impaired who start college ever graduate.

70% of people who are blind or visually impaired are unemployed.

1 in 36 people in the North Texas area are blind or have low vision, a number that is rapidly increasing.

ENVISION THE POSSIBILITIES WITH US

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