Our Community Impact
Every dollar we grant is an investment in access, opportunity, and independence for people who are blind or have low vision. The organizations we fund do hands-on work across the Metropolitan Washington area every single day. This work helps people who are blind or have low vision receive critical vision care and rehabilitation services, gain full access to their communities, and live independently on their own terms.
Blindness & Low-Vision in the D.C. Community
Vision loss doesn't stay in the background of someone's life. It touches everything from health care to employment, housing, education, and independence. The need in our region is significant, and it's growing.
Our mission is fueled by the belief that every resident of the DC metropolitan area, regardless of their visual ability, deserves a life of dignity, independence, and full community inclusion. By focusing on three critical pillars— Social Services, Systemic Change and Vision/Medical Care—we serve as a catalyst for a more equitable region.
18K+
Residents in the DC metro area (approx. 3%) report a vision disability
3x
People with vision loss are three times more likely to report feeling isolated
265,000
Adults and seniors in the DMV area experience vision difficulty
3RD
DC ranks third in the U.S. for preventable blindness with significant shortfalls in underserved communities
Social Services
We bridge the isolation gap by funding peer-led social services, orientation training, and adaptive life-skills programs that empower thousands of residents to navigate their world with confidence.
Systemic Change
We are committed to dismantling the social and structural barriers that limit opportunity. Whether its accessible voting booths, access to public transportation, or local internships that bolster people with disabilities in the workplace, our grants break down barriers and foster a community where everyone can thrive.
Vision/Medical Care
Through our support of premier pediatric eye care, charity clinics, and senior nursing residences, we ensure that the region’s most vulnerable populations receive the medical interventions they need to prevent and treat vision loss.
Meet Grant Recipients
Grant recipients are driving change and creating opportunity throughout the Washington, DC region.
Since 1898, the Aid Association has supported organizations working on the frontlines of programs and projects serving people who are blind or visually impaired.
