For nearly a century Blind Service Chicago has offered programs and services to the Blind and Low Vision community in the Chicago area to support them on their journey to greater independence.
These services include:
- Reading and Recording for the Blind
- Services for College/Vocational/Secondary Education Students
- Senior programs
- Braille, Computer, and Technology Instruction
- Youth Programs
- Annual Scholarship
- Social and Networking opportunities and activities
BSC utilizes volunteers in a unique and specialized way, offering meaningful and rewarding opportunities to work directly with the population we serve.
All training is provided.
I would like to volunteer
BSA offers a wide variety of activities for volunteer involvement
Reading and Recording Program
Read one-to-one with BSC clients who are Blind or have low vision. This may be books and other literature, but most often entails mail and other paperwork, completing forms and applications, and assistance with basic correspondence. Reading for the Blind can also include assistance with Internet and other online tasks.
Reading takes place at BSC offices or one of our Satellite locations. Clients may also request appointments at a public place, their home, or workplace.
Recording for the Blind is done at BSC offices.
All training is provided as part of the application process.
Knitting Club
Qualified Knitting and Crochet instructors are needed for BSC's Knitting Club, which meets Fridays from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
In addition to helping with Knitting and Crochet, responsibilities include providing Sighted Guide assistance and light help with refreshments and clean-up.
Sighted Guide Training is included in the application process.
General Reading/Group Reading
Volunteers sign up to read to a group virtually over our conference phone line. This is primarily for our Short Selections, which meets each Monday at 1:00 p.m. There are other seasonal and special events as well.
For the Short Selections Group, Volunteers select the work to be read and can include:
- Short Stories
- Other short literary works
- Essays
- Excerpts from larger works
- Poetry
Other opportunities are available, such as seasonal reading near the Holidays.
Assist on Tours, Field Trips, Outings, and Shopping
Assist clients who are Blind or have low vision as a Sighted Guide at BSC-organized events.
Training is provided by Blind Service Chicago.
Reading & Recording Program
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading/Record for the Blind at BSA offices | 27602 | 2/25/2026 | 6/16/2108 | |
| Record for the Blind | 1 | |||
Sighted Guide - Tour/Field Trip/Excursion, 1:1 Appointment/Errand/Shopping
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Day and Trivia Friday | 91 | 2/27/2026 | 8/26/2033 | |
Support Programs
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSA Knitting Club | 953 | 2/27/2026 | 5/27/2044 | |
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission:
To empower and inspire people who are blind or have low vision.
Our Vision:
A world in which blind and low vision people stand equally with sighted people and are afforded abundant opportunities for success and happiness.
