Optelec and ShopLowVision.com Partner with Foundation Fighting Blindness for San Diego’s Dining in the Dark and VisionWalk
May 25, 2009
SAN DIEGO (May 27, 2009) – Optelec US Inc., a world leader in innovative and life-changing assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired, and its subsidiary company ShopLowVision.com, the first one-stop-shop e-commerce site for low vision solutions, are together partnering with Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), the largest source of non-governmental funding for retinal degenerative disease research in the world. Both companies will be a sponsor and participant of the San Diego Chapter’s Dining in the Dark, held June 4 and the San Diego VisionWalk, held later in the year on November 8 where Optelec’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Andre Hardy will serve as the VisionWalk Business Chair.
“Optelec is thrilled to participate in Dining in the Dark and contribute to a cause that supports research benefiting the low vision and blind communities,” said Andre Hardy, vice president of sales and marketing for Optelec US Inc. “Not only does our involvement support our local community, but it also serves as a way to inspire and motivate our own staff members through a team building experience. This allows them to fully appreciate their gift of sight and achieve a deeper understanding of how Optelec can better improve the lives of individuals with low vision.”
“Most people are unaware of the challenges facing the visually impaired,” stated the FFB’s Director of Development, Stephanie D. Wells. “We are appreciative of Optelec’s focus towards increasing this awareness and providing a wide range of low vision aids that can be easily adopted by consumers in need, thus greatly impacting our industry.”
The San Diego Dining in the Dark event, held at the US Grant Hotel on Thursday, June 4th, offers guests a rare and sensory, one-of-a-kind awareness opportunity to journey into the unfamiliar world of the blind and visually impaired. Guests will enjoy a complete dinner, served by visually impaired and blind waiters, while experiencing all tastes, sounds and textures in absolute darkness.
For more than two decades, Optelec has been committed to product intelligence and innovation with solutions ranging from desktop electronic video magnifiers, USB video magnifiers, to hand-held portable and compact video magnifiers – all designed to improve the quality of life and mobility for its users. Additionally through ShopLowVision.com, more than 4,000 daily living solutions are offered, such as large remote controls and bold-contrast measuring cups. All products help those who are in school, on-the-go, at-home or at-work demonstrating that living with a visual impairment does not need to prevent someone from being independent and having an active lifestyle, regardless of age or condition.
According to the National Eye Institute, more than 16 million Americans report some form of visual impairment, even when wearing glasses or contacts. That number is expected to double by 2030 as the aging population brings rising rates of macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. In addition, twice as many women as men in the United States are diagnosed with vision-threatening eye diseases every year.
For more information, call 800-335-7970 or visit www.optelec.com, www.ShopLowVision.com, and to purchase event tickets or register, visit www.fightblindness.org.
Event Details
San Diego Dining in the Dark will be held downtown on Tuesday, June 4, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the US Grant Hotel located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Individual tickets are $250 with other table sponsorships available.
San Diego Vision Walk will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009at Mission Bay Park - De Anza Cove located at 3000 East Mission Drive, San Diego, CA 92109. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m.
Proceeds from both events will support research to find a cure for retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans.
About Optelec US Inc.
Optelec (www.Optelec.com) was founded in 1985 and is recognized as the worldwide market leader in providing innovative solutions for the blind, visually impaired and learning disabled. In January 2007, Tieman US, Holding Company to Optelec US Inc., spun off ShopLowVision.com (www.ShopLowVision.com) and LowVision.com (www.LowVision.com) as subsidiary sister companies, providing the one-stop-shop for optical, non-optical and daily living aids, products, solutions and education for eye care professionals and consumers.
About the Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is the largest source of non-governmental funding for retinal degenerative disease research in the world. The urgent mission of Foundation Fighting Blindness is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. For more information, visit www.FightBlindness.org.
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Contact:
Courtney Berg
BERKMAN, PR for Optelec
+1 (619) 231-9977 (office)
+1 (305) 773-6592 (mobile)
courtney@berkmanpr.com
Kelly O’Neill
Optelec, ShopLowVision.com, LowVision.com
Marketing Coordinator
+1 (800) 826-4200 x227 (office)
kellyo@optelec.com