Clients

Residents of Fairfield County with eye disorders that render them unable to drive, read or perform clerical functions are welcome to apply for services from VSB.  All services are provided at no cost to clients.  Visual impairment must be certified by a medical professional who is tending to the client’s eye disorder.  That certification needs to confirm that the client’s visual acuity does not allow them to perform one or more of the activities which VSB services address.  Clients desiring drivers must be mobile and must provide a doctor’s note stating that they are medically stable to be driven in a car.  Clients need to be flexible in their time requirements since most volunteers have limited availability.  More than 100 persons are serviced each year by a similar number of volunteers. 

Volunteers

 To become a volunteer, an individual must have the desire to help someone in need maintain the quality of life they want.  The rewards are real, but cannot be measured in monetary terms.  Volunteers provide customized services for their clients – the specific needs of the client are VSB’s principal concern.  The process a potential VSB volunteer goes through is similar to that required by an employer.  They must complete an application, obtain two written references and are interviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator.  If they desire to be a driver, they must provide evidence of adequate insurance (they will be using their own vehicle to drive clients) and have a clean driving record with no recorded violations in the past three years.  VSB provides supplemental liability insurance for its drivers, but their insurance is primary.  Successful candidates are matched with clients during a meeting attended by a VSB staff member.  Once a volunteer is on board, they are asked to commit to at least six months of service.  If they must leave after that time, they are asked to provide two weeks notice to allow time for their replacement.  The average VSB volunteer has provided service for more than three years.  Volunteers are trained to use the sighted guide technique when accompanying their client.  Seminars are held periodically, which keep volunteers up to date on issues associated with visual impairment.  VSB also holds an annual ceremony and social to recognize the efforts of its volunteers throughout the year.   

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