Sight Savers America receives $80,000 grant from Power:Ed to provide high-tech vision aids to SC children with severe visual impairment and blindness
September 30, 2024
SSA Chief Program Officer Jennifer Haddox, Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons, and SC students receiving vision aids
Sight Savers America has been awarded an $80,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, to assist 24 middle and high school-age youth in SC living with severe visual impairment and blindness by providing high-tech vision assistive equipment and blindness aids for personal use.
Approximately 80% of what children learn is through visual pathways, so it is easy to see how vision impairment, without the proper tools, would negatively impact academic performance. Children often have this equipment at school, however they are rarely permitted to take it home. Devices range in cost from $900 to $4,500 and are not covered by any type of medical insurance. This makes them cost prohibitive for many families.
This equipment allows a child with low vision or blindness to function more like their typically sighted peers. It enables them to see well enough to read and perform other detailed tasks whenever and wherever they choose.
President and CEO of Sight Savers America, Dr. Dawn DeCarlo, said, “Through the help of organizations like Power:Ed we plan to eradicate the backlog of need for high-tech vision assistive equipment in the homes of sixth to 12th graders in South Carolina living with low vision or blindness.”
“When Sight Savers informed us that South Carolina has an estimated backlog of 156 sixth through 12th graders needing this equipment, and the dramatic academic improvements experienced by youth in other states who previously struggled to see and read, we knew we had to jump in immediately to help SSA serve as many students as possible. Power:Ed and SC Student Loan are so excited about the transformative impact this program can have,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.
Part of the backlog was already eased on Wednesday, Sept. 25, when 15 children from the Pee Dee and surrounding region received high-tech vision aids funded in part by the Power:Ed grant. Sight Savers America also trained each child on all functions of their new equipment and will provide extensive follow-up, maintain and repair the equipment as needed.
In FY2024-25 Power:Ed will award 1 million dollars in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In this first quarter, Power:Ed has awarded six grants (including this grant to SSA) totaling $264,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is Oct. 1, 2024.
About SSA
Sight Savers America is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to identify and secure treatment for unmet vision and health needs. Their Low Vision & Blindness Program serves individuals in 16 states, including South Carolina.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, minority, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Organizations serving middle school through post- college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.
