Blindness and Low Vision Studies
Male blind student posing in the college of health and human services by the stairs

Give to the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies

Blindness and Low Vision Studies prepare professionals who help individuals adapt, function, and thrive with vision loss. Graduates serve children, adults, and older adults through rehabilitation, education, and community-based services. 

Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5218 USA
(269) 387-3455

Advancing independence through vision rehabilitation 

Philanthropic support enhances the program’s ability to train highly specialized practitioners and expand services for individuals with vision impairments. Donor gifts help ensure access to innovative training tools and meaningful community engagement opportunities. 

School highlights 

  • Longest running programs and research in Orientation and Mobility (OM) and Assistive Technology (AT). 
  • Program for teachers all the way through Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), serving individuals across lifespan, with students located across the country. 
  • Involved in expanding the profession globally, with current partnerships with South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria. 

Your impact 

Gifts support: 

  • Student scholarships for future vision rehabilitation specialists 
  • Clinical equipment and instructional resources 
  • Outreach services that extend support to individuals and families 

Your dollar in action 

  • $500 supports adaptive learning materials and assistive technology 
  • $2,500 helps fund specialized clinical equipment 
  • $5,000 provides immediate partial scholarship support 
  • $20,000 supports program-wide instructional or outreach initiatives 
  • $50,000 endows a named scholarship or fund 

Ways to give 

  • Mail a check designated to Blindness and Low Vision Studies to: 
    Attn: Gift Processing 
    WMU Foundation 
    1903 W Michigan Ave 
    Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403 
  • Connect with the college advancement team to discuss customized, in-kind or planned giving opportunities .

Current funds and endowments 

  • Anna Bekken Blind Rehabilitation Scholarship 
  • Blindness & Low Vision Studies Scholarship Fund 
  • Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies 
  • Francelia Wonders Endowment Fund 
  • John & Helen Plough Blind Rehabilitation Scholarship Fund Quasi-Endowment 
  • John D. Malamazian Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund 
  • Milton M. Ratner Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund 
  • Paul and Susan Ponchillia Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Student Scholarship Fund 
  • Phillip Lapekas Fund for Blindness and Low Vision Studies 
  • Willard Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund 
  • Zhang Endowed Scholarship in Blindness and Low Vision Studies 

Questions

For more information, contact Spencer Haworth, chief development officer for the College of Health and Human Services.

Contact Spencer
Spencer Haworth
Female blindnessa nd low vision studies student navigating outdoors with a white can and eye mask
Your generosity helps restore independence and confidence for individuals with vision loss.