Do you have a need for a speaker at your next meeting? Bosma Enterprises has many experts that can talk about a range of topics including disability employment, accessible technology, not-for-profit leadership, and more.

Becky Deerr

Becky Deerr is the itinerant rehabilitation teaching manager at Bosma. She supervises a team of 7 itinerant teachers who provide in-home vision rehabilitation across Indiana. Becky has worked in the field of vision loss and vision rehabilitation for more than 10 years. She is a certified Braille transcriber through the Library of Congress. Becky has a master's degree in special education with a concentration in assistive technology and a bachelor's degree in business management. She worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the State of Indiana, working with clients who are blind or visually impaired.

Topics: vision rehabilitation, itinerant vision rehabilitation, services for seniors with vision loss

Contact info: 317.829.4777; beckyd@bosma.org

Paige De Icaza

Paige De Icaza is a VI teacher and outreach specialist at Bosma. For more than 20 years, Paige has worked with people who are blind or visually impaired. She formerly taught at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She now teaches several courses through Bosma Center-Based Services including, college prep, GED courses, customer service and much more.

Topics: Programs at Bosma: STEP, Customer Service Training Program, Business Enterprise Program and more.

Contact: paiged@bosma.org or 317.704.8212

Arvetta Jideonwo, CFRE

Arvetta Jideonwo is the development manager at Bosma. She has a distinguished history of leading high-performing teams to develop relationships and secure individual gifts and grants to support and advance organizational growth. Arvetta has worked with nationally recognized organizations and has extensive executive-level experience in non-profit management. Arvetta, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) has experience in all facets of development including prospect research, solicitation and cultivation of individuals, case statement development, grant development and management, and program development. Arvetta earned a Bachelor of Science from Indiana State University - School of Health Sciences, and a master's of science from Indiana University - SPEA.

Topics: fundraising, donor relationship development, grant writing

Contact: arvettaj@bosma.org or 317.871.2176

James Michaels, LCSW

James is the vice president of program services. James manages the entire programs division of Bosma Enterprises. James has spent his life dedicated to helping others who are blind or deaf. James has worked in various capacities for the State of Indiana, Indiana School for the Blind and Bosma Enterprises. James holds bachelor's and master's degrees from IUPUI in social work. He is a licensed clinical social worker. He sits on the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability and is a member of the Indiana Reading and Information Service. He is the recipient of the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award from the National Industries for the Blind. In his spare time, James plays beep baseball with the team RHI-Xtreme.

Topics: leadership, rehabilitation for people with vision loss, services and opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, creating opportunities for people who have lost their eyesight.

Contact: jamesm@bosma.org or call 317.704.8241

Lise Pace, MBA

Lise Pace is the senior manager of marketing at Bosma. She started at Bosma Enterprises as a volunteer in 2008. In 2009, she became its volunteer coordinator followed by managing our community and marketing programs. She has an Associates degree in Business Administration, a BS in Management and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a dynamic speaker who is also willing to share her inspiring story which includes being a manager in the finance industry for 15 years to losing it all--and, how she learned to live her life over again.

Topics: volunteerism especially including people who have disabilities, building teams and advocating for opportunities for people who have disabilities. 

Contact: lisep@bosma.org or call 317.704.8196

Brian Petraits

Brian Petraits is the senior manager of industries at Bosma. He started his education at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He transferred to Brownsburg Schools in seventh grade. While there, he was active in football and wrestling. He was recognized as a Sports Illustrated All American.

As the senior manager of industries he manages more than 60 production workers working in all aspects of Bosma's lines of business. He holds a masters in public administration with a concentration in nonprofit management. Brian works with his dog guide, Jetson.

Topics: Dog guides, employment of people who are blind, Bosma Enterprises

Contact: brianp@bosma.org or 317.704.8380

 

Advocacy and consumer groups

American Council of the Blind of Indiana (ACB-I)
John Huffman, President
(317) 228-0496
E-mail: j.huffman@verizon.net
The Indianapolis chapter meets at 10:30 A.M. on the third Saturday of most months. Meetings are held downtown, in the State Library (140 N. Senate).

Client Assistance Program (CAP)
4701 N. Keystone Ave. Ste. 222
Indianapolis., IN 46205
(317) 722-5555
(800) 622-4845
E-mail: kpedevilla@ipas.state.in.us
CAP assists people who are having difficulties seeking or receiving services from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or other VR programs. CAP is administered by Indiana Protection & Advocacy Services.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Indiana
(317) 205-9226
(800) 326-9190
E-mail: pmaurer@nfb.org
Indianapolis has two chapters. The Circle City Chapter meets the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 to noon at the First Trinity Lutheran Church located at 5321 E. 42nd St. The Indianapolis Chapter meets the second Saturday of every month from 9:30 to 11:30 at the English Foundation Bldg. (615 N. Alabama).

Marion County Association of Workers for the Blind
Gloria Franklin
1709 Lesley Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46218
(317) 357-1468
This is a social gathering with guest speakers. This is not an advocacy organization! Except for Jan. and Feb., meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of the month in Room 6 of the English Foundation Bldg. (615 N. Alabama).
 

Vision Aware
Dr. Pris Rogers, Vision Aware Program Director
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
(214) 438-5314

VisionAware helps adult who are losing their sight continue to live full and independent lives by providing timely information, step-by-step daily living techniques, a directory of national and local services, and a supportive online community. 

 

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Eye health resources

Eye Care Community Outreach (ECCO)
(317) 321-1413
Coordinates vision care resources in central Indiana to provide uninsured individuals access to donated professional eye care. Also provides vision information, referral, education and assists with other medical or social needs.

Indiana Academy Of Ophthalmology
(317) 577-3062
The Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology promotes the highest quality, comprehensive vision, medical and surgical eye care.

Indiana Optometric Association
(317) 237-3560
Provides resources on eye doctors, eye care, eye conditions certifications and other useful resources.

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Support groups in Indiana

Anderson Outreach Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Christ Lutheran Church
716 Rainbow Blvd.
Anderson, IN 46012
Barb Kyle (765) 642-0887
Meetings are held the last Saturday of the month at noon.

Low Vision Support Group
First Presbyterian Church
221 E. 6th St.
Bloomington, IN 47408
Ashley Hillman (812) 935-2513
Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 1 p.m.

Atria Low Vision Support Group
3109 E Bristol St.
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 266-4508
Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

Bosma Enterprises Hendricks County Support Group
Hendricks County Senior Center
1201 Sycamore Lane
Danville, IN 46122
Debbie Waller (317) 704-8230
Meetings are 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Bosma Enterprises Lebanon Low Vision Support Group
Eye Openers
Boone County Senior Center
515 Crown Point Dr.
Lebanon, IN 46052
Jill Thomas (765) 447-7683
Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30.

Bosma Enterprises Marion County Low Vision Support Group
Robin Run Village
5354 W. 62nd St.
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Debbie Waller (317) 704-8230
Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of the month from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

Clay County Sight Loss Support Group
United Methodist Church
201 Meridian
Brazil, IN
Danny Wayne Beemer (812) 298-9455
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30.

Crawfordsville Low Vision Support Group
Alice Yates, director of activities at Crawfordsville Parks and Recreation.
(765) 364-5175
Meetings are held at noon (for lunch) the third Thursday of the month.

Crossroads Low Vision Support Group
4740 Kingsway Dr.
Indpls., IN 46205
Erica O'Neil (317) 466-1000 Ext. 2488
Katy Messuri (317) 466-2001 Ext. 3087
A group of individuals who are blind or visually impaired serve as a network where friends strengthen one another. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month from 11:00 to 1:00. Except for months such as June and December, when there are special occasions, a monthly fee of $5 is charged for lunch.

Evansville Association for the Blind Low Vision Support Group
PO Box 6445
Evansville, IN 47719
Patty Haas (812) 422-1181 OR (812) 421-4535
E-mail: eabcdc@evansville.net
Website: http://www.evansvilleblind.org/
Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Eyesight Insight Low Vision Support Group
321 S. Adams St.
Marion, IN
Linda Taylor (765) 664-9999
Meetings are held the first Monday of each month.

Henry County Support Group
New Castle Public Library
376 S. 15th St.
Room AB
New Castle, IN 47362
Jessica McGrew (765) 520-6838
Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:00.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Consumer Education Group
5821 S. Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN
Patrick Robinson (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Insight Forum
Cameron Woods Senior Living
701 W. Harcourt Rd.
Angola, IN
(260) 624-2197
Fred Fulkerson (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Social/Recreational Group
Fort Wayne, IN
Call Fred Fulkerson for location (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00.

League for the Blind & Disabled, Inc.
Structured Support Group
Fort Wayne, IN
Call Patrick Robinson for location (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Structured Support Group
Fort Wayne, IN
Call ​Patrick Robinson for location (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the second Monday of the month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Structured Support Group
DeKalb County Heimack Center
1800 E. 7th St.
Auburn, In
(260) 925-3311
​Fred Fulkerson (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the third Thursday of the month from 1:15 to 3:00.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Structured Support Group
Miller's Merry Manor
787 N. Detroit St.
LaGrange, IN
(260) 463-2172
Fred Fulkerson (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30.

League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc.
Structured Support Group
Woodcrest Retirement Center
1300 Mercer Ave.
Decatur, IN
(260) 724-3311
Fred Fulkerson (800) 889-3443 or (260) 441-0551
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30.

Low Vision Support Group of Wayne County
Independent Center of Eastern Indiana
1818 W. Main St.
Richmond, IN
Jackie Speicher (877) 939-9226
Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month.

Macular Degeneration Support Group of Indiana Inc.
Irma Jakositz (317) 596-9923
Deanna Austin (317) 251-6443
Meetings are held 4 times a year in the Cooling Auditorium at St. Vincent Hospital at 10:00 the second Saturday of February, May, August, and November.

Madison County Chapter for the Blind
Anderson Public Library, 3rd Floor
1200 Main
Anderson, IN 46011
Barb Kyle (765) 642-0887
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at noon.

Marquette Manor Low Vision Group
Marquette Manor Assisted Living
8140Township Line Rd.
Indpls, IN 46260
Dianne Bratten (317) 337-9200
Currently serves only the residents of Marquette Manor. Meetings are held quarterly.

Mishawaka Support Group
St. Joseph Mishawaka Public Library
204 Lincoln Way West
Mishawaka, IN 46544
(574) 259-5277
Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 10:00 to 11:30.

Valparaiso Low Vision Support Groups
Verne Sanford (219) 464-1867
Two groups meet in Valparaiso at the following locations.
First United Methodist Church
103 N. Franklin
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM.
Pines Village Retirement Communities
3303 Pines Village Circle, Room 201
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:00.
For free transportation within the local area contact the First United Methodist Church at (219) 465-1661, no later than the Friday before each meeting.

Vigo County Low Vision Support Group
Serves the Terre Haute area
Westminster Village
1120 E Davis Dr.
Terre Haute, IN 47802
Rosemary & Jim Morgan (812) 242-4876
Meetings are held from 10:00 to 11:00 the third Wednesday of the month.

Vigo County Sight Loss Support Group
Sycamore Manner
25th and Ohio
Danny Wayne Beemer (812) 298-9455
Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00.

VIP Support Group
Von Tobel Community Building
115 W. Pearl St.
Winamac, IN 46996
Johanna Gudas (574) 946-6126
Maurine Wilder (574) 946-3836
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30.

VIP - Visually Impaired Persons of Northwest Indiana
East Chicago Public Library
East Chicago, IN
Katie Averett (219) 398-5165
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00.

VIP - Visually Impaired People of Shelbyville
Crossroad Community Church
475 Progress Parkway 
Shelbyville, In 46176
Kathy Beal (765) 525-6408
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00.

Vision Loss Support Group for Veterans
Richard L. Roudebush, VA Medical Center
1481 W. 10th Street
Room C1202
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Deanna Austin, VIST Coordinator
(317) 988-2576 or (888) 878-6889 Ext. 85276
Meets the second Friday of each month from 2:00 to 3:30.

VISION - Visually Impaired Support In Our Neighborhood
Muncie-Delaware County Senior Center
2517 West 8th St.
Muncie, IN 47302
Dena Polston, Facilitator
Phone: (765) 284-4539
E-mail: dlpolston@bsu.edu
Dee Ann Hart, Secretary
Home Phone: (765) 282-7257
Cell Phone: (765) 215-1211
E-mail: dawhart@sbcglobal.net
Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 10:15 AM to 12:00 PM. "Lunch Bunch" will now be by reservation at the Muncie-Delaware County Senior, LifeStream Services lunch site and the cost will be $6.75.

Wabash County Council on Aging
Winchester Senior Center
PO Box 447
239 Bond St.
Wabash, IN 46992
Kay Batdorf (260) 563-4475
E-mail: kaywccoa@kconline.com
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

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Transportation

Amtrak
(800) 872-7245, or (800) usa-rail
Offers discounts for passengers with disabilities. You are required to provide written documentation of disability at the ticket counter, and when boarding the train. Special fares are only available by calling the above number.

Greyhound
Customers with Disabilities Travel Assistance
(800) 752-4841
Call 48-hours in advance to request assistance. Assistance is provided during transfers, meal/rest stops, and other times as reasonably requested. Sighted guides traveling with customers who are legally blind can receive a 50% discount.

Indianapolis Yellow Cab
3801 W. Morris
Indianapolis, IN 46242
(317) 247-6233
Individuals with disabilities can purchase a book of 20 coupons ($1.00 per coupon) for $16.00. There is no limit.

IndyGo
(317) 635-3344
Provides a variety of transportation options for residents of Indianapolis.

IndyGo Open Door
(317) 917-8747 (Reservations)
(317) 917-8758 (ETA/Same Day Cancellation)
(317) 635-3344 (Complaints/Comments/Questions)
Provides alternative transportation within Marion County for qualified individuals with disabilities. North Side Dial Ride is provided to all residents of the north side of Indianapolis. Call reservations to sign up.

Senior Transportation Program
(317) 263-6279
Marion County residents age 60 are eligible for a 50% discount off taxi services. A sheet of ten tickets, valued at $1.00 per ticket, can be purchased for $5.00. There is a limit of 30 tickets per month. Discounts are also available for individuals who use a wheelchair.

Transportation Resource Guide - Indianapolis, Indiana
A resource detailing all transportation options in Marion County. Provided by the Office of the Mayor of Indianapolis' Council on Disabilities

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Accessible books, movies, and library services

Audible.com
A great site for downloading recorded books on the computer.

Descriptive Video Service (DVS Home Video®)
(317) 579-0439 (customer service/order videos)
(800) 333-1203
A variety of services are offered that help to make television and movies accessible.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
(800) 424-8567
Books, magazines, music scores, and lessons for playing a variety of instruments are available in braille, large print, or on audiotape. Special playback equipment is provided for members who borrow recorded materials.

Learning Ally
(800) 221-4792
E-mail: custserv@LearningAlly.org
Website: http://www.LearningAlly.org
Offers an extensive library of digitally recorded titles. This is an excellent source for students who need accessible textbooks. Anyone with a documented disability which makes reading standard print hard to read is eligible to use RFB&D's services. The cost of an individual membership is $35 a year, plus a registration fee of $65.

The Hadley School for the Blind
(847) 446-8111
(800) 323-4238
Promotes independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for blind people, their families and blindness service providers. This school offers more than 90 distance education courses to eligible students completely free of charge.

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Dog guide schools

EDF Training Center
8252 South 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85041-7806
(602) 276-0051
E-mail: eyedogaz@uswest.net

Eye Dog Foundation for the Blind
211 S. Montclair St., Suite A
Bakersfield, CA 93309-3165
(800) 393-3641
E-mail: eyedog@arrival.net

Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs and Mobility Services, Incorporated
747 Amana Street, Suite 407
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-1088
E-mail: info@eyeofthepacific.org

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
103 Old Iron Ore Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 243-5200
E-mail: info@fidelco.org

Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind
1210 Hardscrabble road
Cassville, NY 13318
(315) 822-5132
E-Mail: freedomdog@juno.com

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
371 East Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
(800) 548-4337
E-Mail: info@guidedog.org

Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
(For general communications, refer to California Campus contact information.)
California Campus
350 Los Ranchitos Road
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
(800) 295-4050
E-Mail: iadmissions@guidedogs.com
Oregon Campus
32901 S.E. Kelso Road
Boring, OR 97009

Guide Dogs of America
13445 Glenoaks Blvd.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(800)459-4843
E-Mail: guidedogs@earthlink.net

Guide Dogs of Texas, Inc.
11825 West Avenue
Suite 104
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210)366-4081
Toll Free in TX: 1(800)831-9231
E-Mail: larrytuttle@guidedogsoftexas.org

Guide Dogs of the Desert International
PO Box 1692
Palm Springs, CA 92263
(760)329-6257
E-Mail: info@guidedogsofthedesert.org

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc.
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
(800) 942-0149
E-Mail: info@guidingeyes.org

Kansas Specialty Dog Service (KSDS, Inc.)
124 West 7th Street
Washington, KS 66968
(785) 325-2256
E-Mail: ksds@ksds.org

Leader Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
1039 South Rochester Road
Rochester, MI 48308
(888) 777-5332
E-Mail: leaderdog@leaderdog.org

Pilot Dogs, Inc.
625 W. Town St.
Columbus, OH 43215-4496
(614) 221-6367
E-Mail: jgray@pilotdogs.org

Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc.
4210 77th Ave. East
Palmetto, FL 34221
(800) 944-3647 (800-944-DOGS)
E-Mail: info@guidedogs.org

The Seeing Eye, Inc.
PO Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963-0375
(800) 539-4425
E-Mail: info@seeingeye.org

 

 

The Energy Assistance Program is funded through Federal and State dollars to provide one-time financial assistance to low-income households to maintain utility services during the winter heating season.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Reside in Marion County

• Every household member age 1 or over must have a social security card

• Your household must have an energy burden (the heat and/or electric utility expenses are the responsibility of the household).

• Must be below 150% of the Federal Poverty level.

Required Documents for the Application (Please bring these items with you to the appointment)

• Household verification/Identification: Please provide Social Security Cards for all household members. If you have a household member under the age of one, a Birth Statement from your doctor will work.

• Lease: Please provide a current, signed (by both you and your landlord) lease of where you currently live. If you do not have a copy of your current lease, or the lease is not signed by both you and your landlord, then a Landlord Affidavit is acceptable.

• Utility Bills: Your current gas and/or electric bill in the name of a household member age 18 or older (or the Landlord of Power of Attorney) for the address on the application and lease.

• Income Verification: Income for 12 months prior to the application date for all household members 18 or older.

  • Common Forms of Income Include:

    • Paystubs

    • WorkOne Print Outs (for employment or unemployment)

    • Social Security (SSI or SSDI)

    • Retirement or Pension Benefits

    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

    • Unemployment Benefits

    • Veterans Benefits

    • Self-employment income:

      • Profit from a business

      • Odd jobs

      • Income from a rental property

If you would like to apply for the Energy Assistance Program, please contact Abby Kennedy at the Bosma Rehabilitation Front Desk at 317-704-8240.