District 33N Visual Aids Foundation

History of the Visual Aids Foundation (VAF)

Massachusetts Lions District 33N Visual Aids Foundation Inc., originated in 1975 as the Optacon Funds (which was actually the name of a piece of equipment available to the visually impaired at the time). In 1986 it was changed to The Visual Aids Foundation because of the many avenues available for providing assistance to the visually impaired. Unfortunately, a local Lions Club often does not have the financial resources nor the knowledge of providing these assistive methods to those that are in need.

How We Serve  

The Visual Aids Foundation can and will assist you with your local sponsoring Lions Club to procure this equipment for the visually impaired.

The process is rather easy; All you need to do is follow the guidelines, submit the grant application and have the sponsoring Club agree to the responsibilities both to the Client and the VAF Inc.

Urgent and want to speed up the process?  A potential recipient can conduct an evaluation with an eye professional and submit the evaluation with the grant application. 

The VAF Board of Directors will review and act on the application. If inventory or sufficient funds are available, and with the assistance of the sponsoring Club, will procure the assistive equipment of other adaptive technology that has been recommended.

All of the equipment remains the property of VAF Inc. and when it is of no longer use by the recipient, it is returned to VAF Inc. to be refurbished and reassigned.

As previously stated the local Lions Club has two requirements which it must agree to upon receipt of the equipment;

1. That they conduct an on site inspection of the VAF equipment annually.
2. Donate $50.00 per club towards the maintained of the equipment which will be taken care of by VAF.

Be assured that we will do every thing we can to meet the needs of the visually impaired within District 33N. This only happens though the generosity of the Lions Clubs of 33N.

For more information, please contact your local Lions club for more information.

The Directors of Visual Aids Foundation Inc. are available to assist and help you along with a local sponsoring Lions Club make this possible.

Charles E. Kostro Fellowship Application Download