Metrolina Association For The Blind

05/30/2026

MAB Transportation Supervisor Alex and Mobility Management Program Coordinator Erica attended the CATS Better Bus program public engagement event this week. CATS, which will transition to the Metropolitan Public Transit Authority in July, held the public session right in the heart of uptown at the Charlotte Transportation Center. CATS representatives discussed coming improvements to the public transit system, including more frequent stops on the busiest bus routes, the expansion of microtransit to two new zones this fall, and 50% increase in overall service.

MAB's transportation program includes not only door-through-door service utilizing our own vehicles and staff, but also educating our clients on other transportation options and keeping up-to-date about improvements to public transit. We're excited about the improvements coming to CATS and will continue to work with our public and private transportation providers on behalf of riders with vision impairment who rely on these services.

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Video description: In between the bus bays at the Charlotte Transportation Center, CATS staff members, dressed in blue CATS t-shirts or yellow CATS polo shirts, talk with customers about coming improvements to the system. In one clip, a reporter from QC News interviews a staff member.

05/28/2026

Are you looking for work?

The right job is out there, regardless of your field or skills. New opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans are posted all the time, each with the workplace environment, leadership, and accommodations to help you succeed. Use NSITE Connect to explore career opportunities or share your own open positions.

The right job is out there, regardless of your field or skills. New opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans are posted all the time, each with the workplace…

05/27/2026

VIP Spring Fling this Saturday! Sign up now to reserve your spot.

Big event with adaptive sports, yoga, games, drumming, presentations, vendor tables, and food

Meet representatives from Disability Rights and Resources, Achilles International, HumanWare, CATS, DSB, Lions Services, the NC Assistive Technology Program, the American Federation of the Blind, Queens Corner, Good Sense Vision Services, and more.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 30 at the Methodist Home Recreation Center, 3200 Shamrock Drive. Register at the link below or scan the QR code on the flyer.

https://hubs.ly/Q04h_XZv0

05/25/2026

In addition to the peer support group offered through MAB, we're proud to announce that Lions Services is also offering a virtual peer support group. Here are the details:

HEART & Vision: A NAMI peer vision loss group

Living with vision loss can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The HEART & Vision support group offers a safe, inclusive, and judgment-free space to connect with others who understand the emotional, mental, and everyday realities of vision loss.

Whether you are newly adjusting or have lived with vision loss for years, you are welcome here.

What to Expect
· Peer connection and shared experiences
· Conversations focused on mental wellness and resilience
· A respectful, supportive environment
· Come as you are and participation is always optional



The group will meet at 6:30 p.m. every fourth Tuesday. RSVP at the link below.

Zoom Link: https://hubs.ly/Q04hpgPL0
Meeting ID: 876 9683 6181 Passcode: 644707

05/24/2026

https://hubs.ly/Q04hpzvD0

At the National Constitution Center, a touch tour is offering the chance to feel bronze statues of the nation's founders to pick up on their age, status and demeanor through touch.

05/22/2026

Affordable Shared Housing Opportunity – Charlotte, NC

Together as Dreamers Homes has an upcoming room vacancy in a shared living home designed to provide affordable, safe, and supportive housing for underserved communities, including blind or disabled individuals, veterans, and those in recovery.

Location:
The home is conveniently located near Tyvola Road and South Boulevard in Charlotte, approximately two blocks from the Tyvola Light Rail Station, providing easy access to transportation, shopping, restaurants, medical offices, and employment opportunities. Grocery stores and everyday shopping are also located nearby.

Housing Details:
• Private bedroom in a shared home
• Shared with three other residents
• Shared kitchen, living room, and common areas
• Partially furnished rooms available
• Accessible features
• Quiet, peaceful backyard space
• Washer and dryer included
• Utilities and Wi-Fi included in monthly rent
• Monthly cost ranges from $750–$900 depending on room size

This home is intended for individuals seeking affordable independent living in a respectful, community-oriented environment. Residents enjoy private personal space while sharing common areas in a clean, comfortable, and supportive home setting.

House Expectations:
We are looking for residents who value a peaceful and respectful living environment. Residents are expected to help maintain shared spaces, communicate respectfully with housemates, and contribute to a positive household atmosphere.

If you know someone who may be interested, please contact us by email at [email protected] or through our website (https://hubs.ly/Q04hlLmy0) for additional details and availability.

05/21/2026

Mental Health--Living and Thriving

The Foundation Fighting Blindness invites you to its quarterly vision webinar: "Mental Health—Living and Thriving" for an hour focused on your well-being. This is a welcoming space to connect with others who understand the emotional journey of low vision. Together, we’ll share expert insights and community stories to help you find joy and fulfillment beyond the daily grind.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom (Link provided upon registration)

Meet Our Speakers

Matthew Reeves, LPC, CRC, NCC
We are honored to welcome Matthew Reeves to lead this conversation. As a licensed therapist specializing in support for the low vision community, Matthew brings a wealth of clinical expertise and a deeply personal perspective, as he is personally impacted by Stargardt disease.

His "dual-lens" approach provides a relatable and empowering roadmap for anyone looking to strengthen their mental health and navigate the emotional journey of sight loss with confidence and resilience.

Resource Spotlight: Hadley
We are excited to feature a speaker from Hadley, a nonprofit that helps you discover new ways to handle daily tasks while connecting you with a network of peers who truly "get it." Whether online, on the phone, or through the mail, Hadley’s support comes directly to you, and our guest will specifically highlight their Mental Health programs, including peer support, support groups, a mental health workshop series, and a podcast sharing personal stories.

Register at

Join us for our Quarterly Vision Webinar on Mental Health, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, on Saturday, May 23, at 12:00 p.m. ET. We’ll explore the emotional impact of vision loss, along with strategies for resilience, holistic well-being, and building community.

05/20/2026

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Metrolina Association for the Blind, Lions Services, and Methodist Home Recreation Center invite you to our VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) Spring Fling!

Saturday, May 30th

10am-2pm

Methodist Home Recreation Center
3200 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215

Games and activities, including: beep kickball, obstacle course, board games, goalball, African drumming, and yoga. Some yoga mats will be provided, but you may bring your own mat if you prefer.

Representatives from local organizations serving the VIP community, including: The NC Assistive Technology Program, Achilles International, Good Sense Vision Services, Charlotte Area Transit System, Queens Corner, American Federation of the Blind Charlotte Chapter, Disability Rights and Resources, HumanWare, and more!

Information on volunteering or working with the VIP community

Food trucks

All are welcome to attend (with or without a visual impairment)!


Register at the link below or call 980-314-1192.

https://hubs.ly/Q04hldNy0

05/19/2026

Better Bus Virtual Meeting

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is working to implement Better Bus over the next 5 years and would like your help to set service priorities for year one. Once service priorities have been established, CATS will conduct additional engagement to share the recommended improvements for future service changes occurring between October 2026 and June 2027.

CATS will hold a live virtual meeting about the Better Bus plan at 6 p.m. May 21 on its YouTube channel.

https://hubs.ly/Q04gYt5J0

Upcoming public meetings:

Tuesday, May 26 at the Urban Design Center |1507 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203| 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 28 at the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) |303 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202| 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

05/17/2026

The Braille Trail opens this Thursday!

https://hubs.ly/Q04gDz7W0

10 a.m. May 21
4600 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC

Join Lions Services as we pull back the curtains on a paradigm-shifting outdoor experience two years in the making.

You're invited to a celebratory community event to learn more about the trail and Lions Services’ work to design a world where vision status is never a barrier to a life of choice, career, and connection.

The Community Reveal offers you a unique first opportunity to explore the Braille Trail, experience a demonstration of the everyday barriers our blind and low vision neighbors encounter, and tour the Lions Services’ facility, where we leverage custom engineered accessible technology and rely on a highly skilled, majority blind or low vision workforce to manufacture products that protect our troops.

The Charlotte Braille Trail is not your ordinary trail. This innovative community project blends nature, art, and technology into a multi-sensory experience designed for everyone.

An initiative of Lions Services Inc., the trail was designed to create inclusive infrastructure and open the doors to everything Charlotte has to offer for our blind and low vision neighbors.

Threading through a tactile, fragrant landscape, the trail ensures blind and low-vision residents have safe, walkable access to public transit, paired with accessible recreation and exercise space.

From the bold “360” sculpture with big braille and possibly the world’s largest long cane, to interactive light and sound sculptures, the trail serves as a vibrant community hub where everyone—regardless of how well they can see—can engage their senses and connect with the heart of the city.

Discover accessible audio navigation technology with Soundscape Community, a 3D audio app integrated with the Braille Trail to offer spatial navigation in real time.

By mapping surroundings through sound, Soundscape helps remove barriers to discovery, describing identifying streets, landmarks and points of interest without the need to look at a screen. This innovative technology unlocks greater confidence and independence to explore our community.

To commemorate the Braille Trail Grand Opening, Triple C Brewing Company, has created a limited-edition Braille Trail IPA, helping raise awareness and celebrate a more inclusive community.

The Braille Trail will be an accessible greenway and sidewalk that will eventually connect employees to a light rail train station and the NoDa neighborhood.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Charlotte's own Luke F. (pictured, center), who won the regional competition and is advancing to the Braille Challenge finals in L.A.

Learn more about Braille Challenge at:

Braille Challenge: https://hubs.ly/Q04gDKdn0
Facebook: https://hubs.ly/Q04gDHWq0
LinkedIn: https://hubs.ly/Q04gDL4Y0
Instagram: https://hubs.ly/Q04gDYv20
X/ Twitter: https://hubs.ly/Q04gDHfc0

And be sure to BOLO for information about the 2027 Braille Challenge. MAB will be hosting the western NC regional competition in February!