Metrolina Association For The Blind

06/17/2026

Programs Offer Free Food, Fitness, Farm to Summer, Fun for Youth

More than 850,000 North Carolina students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the school breakfast, school lunch, and afterschool snack programs. When school is out, North Carolina SUN Programs provide nutritious meals at no cost for youth ages 18 and under.

Through SUN Meals Programs, youth 18 and under can enjoy meals onsite together at school and community sites. SUN Meals help youth get the nutrition they need all summer long and enjoy time with other kids and teens. In some rural areas, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pickup or delivery. Also called non-congregate meals, SUN Meals To-Go sponsors may provide multiple days of meals at a time to youth 18 and under during the summer break.

To find nearby summer meals at no cost for kids and teens, use the USDA Site Finder Map at https://hubs.ly/Q04lHS-z0

In addition to nutritious meals, NC SUN Meals Programs provide fitness and fun through educational enrichment. To learn about activities offered by SUN Meals Programs near you, search on social media.

SUN Bucks, a food assistance program administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), is back this summer. Through SUN Bucks, sometimes referred to as Summer EBT, families will receive a one-time payment of $120 in grocery benefits on a debit-like card per eligible child to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers. Most eligible children automatically qualify for the SUN Bucks program if they have been approved for free or reduced-price school meal benefits during the school year and no further action may be needed. For children who do not automatically qualify but may be eligible, NCDHHS will send an email, text message, or automated call to families with instructions on how to apply.

06/16/2026

Blind social hour

Join other individuals who are blind or vision impaired for conversation, connection, and community. This is a welcoming opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, build friendships, and enjoy a relaxed social atmosphere.

Whether you're looking to expand your network, engage in meaningful discussions, or simply have a good time, we invite you to come and connect with others in a supportive and inclusive environment. 5-9 pm June 26 at the McGill Rose Garden, 940 N. Davidson St. For more information, call or text (704) 606-3020.

06/15/2026

Can you use an iPhone without seeing it? Of course! Using VoiceOver, Apple's accessibility tool, our clients with vision impairment can access calls, email, internet, and apps. We just wrapped up a group class with our access technology trainer, Joseph, instructing clients on VoiceOver techniques.

Special thanks to Tammy for volunteering with this class. We couldn't have done it without you!

To support this and the many other services we offer at MAB, please go to https://hubs.ly/Q04ls82y0. To learn about volunteer opportunities, go to https://hubs.ly/Q04ls01k0.

06/14/2026

Metrolina Association for the Blind client night out this Thursday!

Come out with us to the Meck Sounds Outdoor Concert Series! On June 18, we will head to Eastway Regional Recreation Center to experience The Sound. With phenomenal vocalists and a powerful horn section, local cover band The Sound delivers high-energy performances featuring Top 40 hits, classic R&B, Motown grooves, and soulful anthems to create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Local food trucks will be on-site and beer will be available for purchase for adults age 21 and older. No outside alcohol will be permitted. Attendees can also complete a short survey to enter a raffle. Raffle winners will be selected during each concert to receive a summer swag bag of beach day essentials.

MAB transportation will be available for this event on a first-come, first-served basis, so make your reservation early. Reminder: MAB transportation must be reserved separately from the RSVP below. 7:00 to 9:00 pm June 18 at Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive.

https://hubs.ly/Q04ksfHT0

06/13/2026

Blind Soccer Expo

Join Lions Services for the 3V3 Soccer Tournament & Blind Soccer Expo!

Lions Services, Carolina Ascent, and Kick It 3V3 are proud to announce an exciting and inclusive community event - the 3V3 Soccer Tournament and Blind Soccer Expo- taking place on Saturday, July 18th at the Matthews Sports Complex.

This one-of-a-kind event is designed for everyone , sighted or blind/low vision, to experience soccer in a whole new way. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a first-time player, or simply curious about adaptive sports, this event invites participants of all abilities to step onto the field, build connections, and discover the excitement of blind soccer.

The Blind Soccer Expo is FREE for all participants and will feature opportunities to:
• Learn the fundamentals of blind soccer
• Participate in interactive demonstrations and activities
• Meet special guests and community partners
• Enjoy food, prizes, and family-friendly fun

Come experience the power of inclusion, teamwork, and innovation through sport. More information, tournament details, and registration opportunities will be announced soon.

Questions? Please contact Dana Draa at [email protected].

06/12/2026

We're so thankful for our staff and clients who went to bat for us with Mecklenburg County to advocate for the Vision Rehabilitation and other services that we provide here at Metrolina Association for the Blind.

You can hear their appeals on this YouTube video starting at 2:32:17.

Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing - 5/21/26 https://hubs.ly/Q04khWQy0

06/11/2026

Our staff recently had a chance to interact with a vision loss group at a local retirement community here in Charlotte. During our presentation, we paused to take questions from the group.

"What is Vision Rehabilitation?" asked one of the group members.

Of course, Vision Rehabilitation is integral to everything we do here at MAB, but the term may be confusing. We like to say it's "life rehabilitation."

In other words, what were the things that you did before vision loss that you would like to continue doing, or do again? Learning ways to adapt everyday tasks, from cooking to using a computer to getting around your home or your city--all of this, and much more, is Vision Rehabilitation.

We couldn't celebrate without highlighting the rewarding career opportunities that are available in this field. Vision Rehabilitation specialists can work for nonprofit organizations like Metrolina Association for the Blind, state agencies like the Division of Services for the Blind, or even as private instructors. Either way, these specialists teach skills that foster confidence and independence.

06/10/2026

We're celebrating , and our focus today is on access technology. In fact, we're just wrapping up our spring AT class with our instructor, Joseph, who is helping our clients gain skills and confidence to use VoiceOver, JAWS, and other accessible tools to use their phones and computers. Screen readers, voice assistants, smart speakers, voice recognition software, and other adaptive technology are essential for calling, texting, emailing, and accessing information online.

Check back soon for photos from our AT class!

06/09/2026

Celebrate with us! Independence is the goal of vision rehabilitation. What does that look like?

- Orientation & Mobility training (O & M) helps people with vision loss navigate their environment safely and confidently.

- Independent living skills training demonstrates how to use remaining vision most effectively and develop compensatory strategies for performing daily activities. Training may include home labeling, specialized training for cooking, cleaning, and much more.

- Time management: Access technology and accessible software help create and maintain your calendar and effectively manage day-to-day and longer-term activities.

- Finances & money management: Training helps you maintain independence with budgeting, money identification, and a broad range of financial transactions. Assistive technology enables online banking, other digital financial tools, and the reading of crucial financial documents. The use of apps and assistive aids includes screen readers and magnifiers.

- Assistive technology helps to access information and more easily perform tasks and may optimize the use of mobile devices, access technology, and other assistive devices and aids to stay connected.

- Adaptive devices and specialized low-vision aids include magnifiers, specialized glasses, talking devices (such as clocks), and more.

- Maintaining vital connections: Staying socially connected and participating in the activities you enjoy can significantly reduce the risk of social isolation, loneliness, and depression.

At MAB, our mission is "to reduce, prevent or eliminate the daily challenges experienced by people living with blindness or visual impairment and to facilitate the personal growth and development of such individuals."

Support our mission today! Go to https://hubs.ly/Q04k2MLh0 to help support our training and programs that foster independence.

06/08/2026

The latest version of our Wise Eye newsletter is hot off the presses! Go to the link below to read all about it.

Metrolina Association for the Blind newsletter