Visually Impaired Get Help From Hartford Foundation

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford-based charitable foundation recently granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to help those helping the visually impaired.

A total of 18 agencies received grant awards totaling $237,000 from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to support projects serving those with visual impairments in the foundation’s 29-town region.

The foundation has an extensive history of providing organizations with grants through the Blair Fund.

This year, the foundation launched a competitive grant opportunity through the fund.

The grants include 10 focused on program expansion or enhancement, which will strengthen and grow existing programs.

Six grants were awarded to support the purchase of adaptive equipment and other small capital costs to benefit people with visual impairments.

Additionally, two grants cover operating support for organizations whose missions and primary programming are to assist individuals with visual impairments.

According to Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, almost 20 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, have visual impairments.

From poor vision to blindness, visual impairment is one of the leading causes of loss of independence for people aged 65 and older.

One group benefiting from the foundation is UR Community Cares, which is committed to supporting individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Through its Manchester-based UR Vision Resources program, the organization provides complimentary vision support services, connects individuals to essential resources, and offers technology training to promote independence and improve quality of life.

Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the John E. Blair Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, UR Community Cares is expanding its UR Vision Resources program.

The grant will support the purchase of essential adaptive equipment and community events with presentations from the Helen Keller Center.

“Individuals who are blind or have low vision are eager to access information and acquire new skills,” said UR Community Cares Co-Founder Michelle Puzzo.

"Through our UR Vision Resources program, we are proud to provide a dedicated space that fosters learning, independence, and community connection. This grant will enable us to expand social, educational, and technology-based opportunities for individuals who are blind or have low vision. We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for their generous support and commitment to accessibility and inclusion."

“The Hartford Foundation is grateful to be able to support such impactful organizations through the John E. Blair Fund,” said Hartford Foundation Community Impact Officer Bria Muwanguzi. “These grants help to enhance accessibility and empower individuals with visual impairments, fostering independence and community connection.”

For more information on the grant, including other grant recipients, click on this link.