Spectrios Institute for Low Vision

Thank you so much to the Chicago White Sox Charities for the years of support and for inviting us to the most recent Beyond the Diamond Gala. We were are so appreciative to be included in this wonderful evening.

Pictured: (back row to front)
Graham and Beth Shepard, Scott and Sandy Wolfrum
Jennie Young, Harold Baines (go Sox!⚾), Dr. R. Tracy Williams, Carson Cates and Nick Reetz

Where fun, learning, and connection come together! We invite 6th to 12th grade students with low vision to join us for a week of adventure and discovery.

July 13-17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

We believe that every child with vision loss deserves the chance to explore their potential, make new friends, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.
Our camp offers valuable information and training that you can use to succeed in school and beyond.

You will be introduced to the latest cool access tech, and low-tech tools to help make your life easier.

You’ll also discover no-tech tips and practice advocating for yourself with teachers and peers.

Come engage in a variety of activities, field trips, and outdoor recreation.
Our field trips will take you to exciting destinations where you can make friends with other visually impaired individuals and have a blast!

Our campers have enjoyed adventures at the Morton Arboretum, explored their inner chef with a cooking class at Marcel’s Culinary Experience, and experienced the thrill of a lifetime with a private tactile tour of Chicago White Sox Ballpark!

Join us for our Low Vision Summer Day Camp and make connections that last a lifetime. Register today and let’s have some fun!

https://spectrios.org/summer-day-camp/

Are you a high school student with low vision?

Join us in person on June 19, 2026 to connect with peers and gain confidence as you prepare for life after high school.

This program is designed for 10th–12th graders and first-year college students (ages 14–19) who want to explore tools and strategies to live more independently.

Learn about:

Low vision apps and tech tools
Cooking tips and hacks
Transportation strategies
Self-advocacy skills
And, much more to help you thrive after high school!

This program is available at NO COST to participants thanks to grant funding from the Reinsdorf Family, in memory of “Grandma Martyl” Reinsdorf.

Register here:https://spectrios.org/youth-transition-conference/

This year, Spectrios Institute celebrates 40 years of service to the Low Vision Community with our Vital Vision Campaign. The Vital Vision Campaign is a commitment to future generations of individuals with vision loss and ensuring the accessibility of services.

During this campaign, we will raise $2 million dollars to give Spectrios Institute a solid foundation for a sustainable future. Money raised during this campaign will support our Buckets of Hope.

Our Buckets of Hope are the essential building blocks that help promote and grow the Spectrios Mission. Over the next few weeks, and next year, we will be sharing detailed information about the importance of each Bucket of Hope.

Today, we focus on the Seeing Is Believing bucket. Seeing Is Believing is our in-school outreach program providing K–12 students with low vision across Illinois with free diagnostic services and prescriptive devices. By bringing care into the classroom, students become more competitive academically, can better envision their future careers, and experience a lift in their human spirit.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Seeing Is Believing program. During this time, we have helped nearly 11,000 Illinois school children with low vision.

Keep this Vital Program available for future Illinois public school children.
Donate to the Vital Vision Campaign, today.
www.spectrios.org/vital-vision

Low Vision Resource Alert!

Get to know the Illinois Council of the Blind (ICB), its affiliates, chapters, and committees at our virtual Meet & Greet in the Land of Lincoln!

Join ICB on Sunday, June 7, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM Eastern on Zoom for an informative and enjoyable session. Everyone who attends will be entered into a door prize drawing.

Whether you are a newcomer to ICB or a longtime member, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our activities and work, explore ways to get involved, and reconnect with the broader ICB community.
We look forward to meeting you!

Watch the ACB Community schedule for call in options, or email ICB Membership Chair Bryan Dufelmeier at [email protected] for more information.

Are you a high school student with low vision?

Join us in person on June 19, 2026 to connect with peers and gain confidence as you prepare for life after high school.

This program is designed for 10th–12th graders and first-year college students (ages 14–19) who want to explore tools and strategies to live more independently.

Learn about:

Low vision apps and tech tools
Cooking tips and hacks
Transportation strategies
Self-advocacy skills
And, much more to help you thrive after high school!

This program is available at NO COST to participants thanks to generous funding from Reinsdorf Family, in memory of “Grandma Martyl” Reinsdorf.

Register at https://spectrios.org/youth-transition-conference/

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."
– Norman Schwarzkopf

We owe a debt to our fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. This Memorial Day, we pause and honor the service members who bravely went to battle and gave their lives in service of our great country.

The Buckets of Hope are the foundation of our Vital Vision Campaign. We are playing the Spectrios Grand Prize Game and when we reach our goal of $2 million, we win the sustainability and momentum we need to carry our Mission into the future and ensure that vital low vision services remain available and accessible to all who need them.

🪣Seeing Is Believing – Our in-school outreach program that provides low vision diagnostic exams and prescriptive devices for Illinois Students
🪣Access Technology- Our technology beta site which hosts emerging low vision tech and provides training and support to low vision individuals
🪣Compassion Fund- Allows low vision services to remain accessible to all in need, regardless of income
🪣House of Hope- Provides much needed upkeep to the House of Hope- our home and the place that allows our mission to flourish
🪣Institute- Provides training to Professionals to meet the growing demands for low vision care
🪣Legacy- Build the sustainable foundation necessary to carry our Mission forward for future generations

By participating in the Vital Vision Campaign, you are giving our Mission the Momentum to move forward with hope and independence.

Join us for the Spectrios Grand Prize Game by committing to the Vital Vision Campaign. Donate Today.

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Are you a high school student with low vision or do you have a high school student with low vision?

Join us in person on June 19, 2026 to connect with peers and gain confidence as you prepare for life after high school.

This program is designed for 10th–12th graders and first-year college students (ages 14–19) who want to explore tools and strategies to live more independently.

Learn about:

Low vision apps and tech tools
Cooking tips and hacks
Transportation strategies
Self-advocacy skills
And, much more to help you thrive after high school!

Register on the website:
https://spectrios.org/youth-transition-conference/