Guiding Eyes for the Blind Receives $15,000 Donation to Aid Blind College-Bound Students

 has received a $15,000 grant from OP4G, a member-based online research community. The money will be used for the non profit guide dog school's to "Sights on College" program. 

The program is designed to train blind and visually impaired college-bound students for life on campus. It combines dog training, adaptive technology instruction, and campus training.

"Our 'Sights on College' program is intended to encourage and inspire young blind people to pursue higher education," said Lisa Deutsch, Guiding Eyes' Vice President of Marketing and Development. "When blind students successfully learn to work with their Guiding Eyes dogs, and master specialized computer technology, the playing field is leveled between them and their sighted peers."

She said members of Guiding Eyes for the Blind are thankful to OP4G for sharing their commitment to helping blind youth live productive and independent lives.

The "Sights on College" program uses local college campuses to instruct students how to navigate a college campus with a guide dog. When the student arrives at his or her matriculated college, a Guiding Eyes instructor travels to that college and helps with the student’s acclimation to his or her new surroundings.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind formalized "Sights on College" three years ago and approximately 100 students have been through the program since. 

Together, the student and Guiding Eyes dog learn the routes to the their daily schedule: from dormitory to classrooms, to dining halls, to the student union, and to campus transportation. The donation from OP4G has allowed Guiding Eyes to expand their training on local Westchester campuses.

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