Page 2 - Cleveland Sight Center 2016 Annual Report

A Message from the Board Chair
and President and Executive Director

Friends,

Fiscal Year 2016 marked Cleveland Sight Center’s 110th
year as the premier Northeast Ohio community resource
for those who are blind or have low vision. Cleveland Sight
Center removed barriers facing 13,267 people living with
blindness and vision loss. CSC continues to be a partner to
our clients and their caregivers, offering hope, guidance
and confidence to gain or regain independence.

In 2016, we were pleased to be recognized for our leadership in many areas:

We received our 12th consecutive three-year accreditation from CARF (Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an international, independent, nonprofit accrediting
body. This certification demonstrates our commitment to continually improving services,
encouraging feedback and serving the community.

The Call Center continued its growth as a leading provider of jobs for people with blindness or low
vision. Contracts with the Ohio Department of Taxation, TourismOhio and Cuyahoga Job and
Family Services were renewed and a new contract was established with the Office of the Secretary
of State of Ohio.

We were recognized by Smart Business Cleveland with a Business Longevity Award for 110 years
of service to the community.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) named us Partner of the Year for our
outstanding commitment to and support of public transportation.

Additionally, 2016 marked the beginning of a strategic planning initiative to maximize community
impact, reduce the agency’s reliance on government funding and increase our long-term
sustainability. We have nearly completed this process, which will ensure we continue to efficiently and
effectively serve our clients’ interests for years to come.

Our story is a great one and we ask that you help us tell it. Please share this publication with friends,
family members and colleagues and encourage them to explore our website and social media pages.

Thank you for your trust and support of Cleveland Sight Center as we work to fulfill our mission to
empower people with vision loss to realize their full potential and to shape the community’s vision of
that potential.

Thomas P. Furnas Lawrence E. Benders
Chair, Board of Trustees President and Executive Director

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