Envision, Inc.

Envision, Inc. is a not-for-profit in Wichita, Kansas, United States. Envision promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation. Its mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration for the blind and visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research.

History[1]

Wichita Workshop and Training School for the Adult Blind building.

Envision was founded in 1933 as the Wichita Workshop and Training School for the Adult Blind. The facility taught individuals who were blind how to make and sell their own products.

The passage of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act in 1938 brought government contracts to companies who employed people who are blind, allowing them to make products within government specifications. During World War II, The Wichita Workshop and Training School for the Adult Blind began supplying pillowcases and brooms to the federal government.

During the 1950s, the Wichita Workshop and Training School changed its name to the Kansas Foundation for the Blind and partnered with Lions Clubs across the country to sell its brooms. It was known as the Caravan of Brooms.[2]

Product lines were expanded in the 1960s to include brooms, pillowcases, seat belts, cleaning cloths, doormats and janitorial products.

In 1986, the name was changed to Wichita Industries and Services for the Blind. In the 1990s, the company added Base Service Centers[3] on military installations across the country. In 1997, the organization became known as Envision.

Envision is one of approximately 500 nonprofit organizations that provide quality products and services to the Federal Government through the AbilityOne Program. Products are sold to the public through the Envision Everyday online and retail store at the Envision headquarters.

Envision's current headquarters, 610 N. Main, Wichita, Kansas

By 2010, Envision had expanded to include the Envision Vision Rehabilitation Clinic and Envision Child Development Center. In 2014, Envision launched the Envision Research Institute[4][5] and the Envision Broadcast Network.[6][7][8][9]

[10]

Organizational Structure

The Envision organizational structure consists of a not-for-profit[11] parent organization and subsidiary corporations:

1.) Envision Industries[12]

2.) Envision Xpress

3.) Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center

4.) Envision Research Institute

5.) Envision Foundation

6.) Envision Broadcast Network

Continuing Education for Low-Vision Professionals

In 2006, the Envision Conference[13][14] was launched.

Envision University serves low-vision professionals in a variety of disciplines, including optometrists, ophthalmologists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation therapists, licensed visual therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, vision researchers, special education teachers, assistive technology practitioners, to provide continuing education opportunities.

Since its first year, Envision’s professional education and research program has expanded to include several continuing education opportunities each year as well as a journal publication, Visibility.

Programs and Events

Envision Arts Program
  1. Envision Arts Program[15]
  2. Youth and Adult Support Groups
  3. Assistive Technology Camps[16][17]
  4. An Evening with Envision Gala[18]
  5. Golf Fore Vision
  6. Summer Golf Clinic[19]
  7. Envision Broadcast Academy
  8. Heather's Camp (Heather's Camp was established by the staff of Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center, Via Christi and the women of Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity at Wichita State University and the Wichita Alumnae Chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity.)

References

  1. ↑ "Envision - Our Story". www.envisionus.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  2. ↑ "Lawrence Journal-World - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  3. ↑ "Base Supply Centers". www.abilityone.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  4. ↑ "Envision launches new research center, fundraising campaign". kansas. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  5. ↑ "Envision launching research institute in Wichita - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  6. ↑ "Envision putting its stamp on Wichita's 92.3 FM - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  7. ↑ "Q92 Trademark - Envision Broadcast Network, Llc - Wichita, KS - Bizapedia". Bizapedia.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  8. ↑ "Q92 Releases New Format Under Ownership Of Envision Broadcast Network". PRWeb. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  9. ↑ Venta, Lance. "Q92 Wichita Officially Launches As Hot AC". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  10. ↑ "Lattner Family Foundation issues $25K grant for Envision Research Institute - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  11. ↑ "Organization Report". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  12. ↑ Glas, Brittany. "Envision Industries to produce sandless sandbags". KSN-TV. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  13. ↑ UGC, Chicago Tribune. "Hadley School for the Blind Earns Envision Oculus Award". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  14. ↑ Staff. "Low Vision Goes High Profile at Envision Conference 2013". www.visionmonday.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  15. ↑ "Envision - Art therapy success at Envision becomes model for other groups". www.envisionus.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  16. ↑ "Envision’s youth camp adds new technology - Wichita Business Journal". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  17. ↑ KAKE. "Wins For Kansas". www.kake.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  18. ↑ HelpEnvision (2015-10-21), Envision Gala Video 2015, retrieved 2016-02-03
  19. ↑ "Augusta clinic lets blind, visually impaired practice golf". kansas. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
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