by Jeff and Leslie Thom
One of the issues that members of the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL) have brought to our attention is the often unwelcoming attitude toward people who are blind or low vision when they go to a senior center. This attitude sometimes manifests itself primarily through a lack of willingness to interact with the blind or low vision person. At other times, it reaches the level of outright hostility or discrimination, as, for example, when a senior center prohibits a blind person from going on an excursion unless they bring their own assistant. AAVL would like to see these centers do far more to integrate seniors with vision loss into their activities, and we urge our population to advocate at the local level toward that end.
However, we need to praise those centers that are doing an excellent job of serving seniors with vision loss. It is for that reason that I write this story about a center in my local area that is doing a truly amazing job for seniors who are blind or have low vision.
ACC, as it is known today, was established in 1972 under the name Japanese Community Center and then under the name Asian Community Center. It was founded primarily to meet the social and economic needs of Sacramento’s Asian population. Recently its board of directors changed its name to ACC, in order to broaden its focus to all seniors within its service area of the southern part of Sacramento. For many years ACC has had a skilled nursing facility, numerous types of classes, nutrition, housing, employment and caregiver programs, and more. ACC’s mission is to promote the general welfare and enhance the quality of life for our community by identifying, developing, and providing culturally sensitive health and social services for older adults.
During COVID, as a means of ameliorating some of the fear and isolation that was pervading the Asian community due to the outbreak of hate crimes throughout the nation, ACC established an escort program, under which volunteers would be matched with residents who wanted to walk in their local areas. Through a connection that my wife and I had with someone who worked with ACC’s transportation program, we were urged to approach ACC about linking the blindness community with ACC, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Our collaboration began with a few of our California Council of the Blind members with vision loss walking with volunteers. It rapidly expanded. I would estimate that more than two dozen seniors with vision loss participate in the escort program and other events held by ACC. The center has even partnered with our local Older Individuals who are Blind service provider agency to receive training for those engaged in their escort program. Many of us walk at least once a week and have made lasting friendships through the program.
ACC has also developed a “game day” in which people who are blind or have low vision can hone their skills at everything from Frisbee to putting to cornhole. Others are learning the ritualized ancient art of using Filipino fighting sticks. Several of us recently attended a Lunar New Year celebration, complete with amazing Asian food, music and dance performances. Now, more of our folks are beginning to participate in their mainstream classes, and ACC is more than pleased that this is happening.
As AAVL member Connie Bateman puts it, “I am very grateful that the people at ACC have demonstrated a willingness to learn about what blind and visually impaired people are able to do and have worked with us collaboratively so we can participate fully in their wellness and lifelong learning classes and activities.”
Martha, an ACC volunteer, says: “As a volunteer with the ACC Escort Program, I’ve enjoyed the companionship of so many interesting people, and I like sharing our different background and interests.”
As for me, I look forward to those days that I know I will be walking or engaging in some other ACC activity. Danyle Lee, ACC Lifelong Learning & Wellness Program Manager, sums it up quite well: “Working with members from the American Council of the Blind has been enlightening for us as an organization, but also such a joy to get to know the members.”
Our story doesn’t mean that you will necessarily have the same success. However, try to find someone in your senior center’s leadership who really cares about people, and see if you can’t build a bridge between their center and people with vision loss. Amazing things just may happen!