Montgomery County Association for the Blind

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

This week, MCAB clients and staff had the wonderful opportunity to attend the opening of the Wissahickon Trails Dodsworth Run Braille Trail.

Clients who read Braille enjoyed exploring the trail and reading signs about the birds, vegetation, and bat boxes throughout the park. Participants especially appreciated that the signs included full Braille descriptions rather than just brief summaries, making the experience more meaningful and accessible. Wissahickon Trails also incorporated a rope guide along the trail to help visitors navigate independently.

It was a beautiful day filled with learning, nature, and community. Congratulations to Bryn for creating this wonderful accessible trail as part of her Girl Scouts project!

05/27/2026

At our recent Lunch and Learn meeting, clients explored different ways to identify colors while living with low vision or blindness. Participants shared helpful apps and assistive technology tools that support greater independence in everyday life. Clients also had the opportunity to try a talking color identifier and Mates for Colors hands-on.

There was great discussion, lots of learning, and plenty of laughter as everyone enjoyed spending time together!

05/12/2026

MCAB clients and staff enjoyed a brisk spring day at Norristown Farm Park for this month’s support group meeting. Clients shared tips, experiences, and ideas that are helping them build independence in their daily lives. There was plenty of laughter and meaningful conversation throughout the afternoon.

The group also discussed the history of Norristown Farm Park, explored the beauty of the hickory tree and its leaves, and reflected on how spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can help reduce stress and support mental wellness.

05/04/2026

Blind and Visually Impaired visitors decode 1787 using their hands in a new tactile tour.

A new Philly Touch tour in Signers' Hall lets visitors pick up on the founders’ age, status, and demeanor through touch.

04/14/2026

Thank you to Adam Blum, Voter Engagement Specialist for Montgomery County, for joining our monthly meeting to discuss voting processes and rights for individuals who are visually impaired. His presentation sparked a meaningful conversation about clarifying voting procedures for our clients and the support available through Montgomery County Voter Services.

We wrapped up the meeting with a fun (and delicious!) “taste test voting” activity. Clients sampled two similar items—one in each hand—and “voted” for their favorite. The results are in:
🍫 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate beat Lindor Milk Chocolate
🥔 Herr’s Ripple Chips beat Utz Ripple Chips
🍪 Chips Ahoy beat Keebler Chocolate Chip Cookies
🍓 Giant Brand Strawberry Ice Cream beat Breyers Strawberry Ice Cream

There were plenty of laughs—and some surprise at the outcomes! Most importantly, the activity reinforced how important it is for all of us to use our voice and continue advocating for ourselves.

03/26/2026

Thank you to all our friends, clients, staff, and donors who joined us for “The Magic of Streisand” fundraising concert, sponsored by Philstar Entertainment. It was a truly special afternoon celebrating the timeless music of Barbra Streisand.

Guests enjoyed award-winning classics like The Way We Were, On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever), and People, beautifully performed by Debbie Feeser. We are so grateful to Debbie for delivering such a meaningful and delightful concert experience.

A heartfelt THANK YOU as well to the 60 Montgomery County businesses who generously donated gift cards for our ticket raffle — your support made the event even more exciting and impactful!

03/24/2026

MCAB clients and staff had a wonderful time at the Community Music School’s lunchtime concert featuring traditional Irish music! Inspired by lively jigs and reels, the group even had the chance to try out a few instruments, including the mandolin, ukulele, and guitar.

Case Manager Mary Brucker treated everyone to a beautiful performance of Strawberry Wine on the guitar, while Director Rachael Gallagher delighted the group with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the mandolin.

The experience sparked a meaningful conversation: How do we learn new things? And does that process change with vision impairment? Mary shared insights on the tactile advantages of learning instruments like the guitar, highlighting how touch can be a powerful tool in skill-building.

The group ultimately agreed that one of the best ways they’ve learned new things has been through attending MCAB’s monthly groups — what a compliment and a testament to the power of community!

03/16/2026

Tickets are still available on our website for this weekend's show!

The Magic of Streisand Featuring Debbie Freeser

Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 2:00pm

The Empress Room at St. Helena’s Church
1489 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422

$20 per person or $35 per pair
Tickets Non-Refundable and Program Subject to Change
Tickets: www.mcab.org

Proudly Presented by PhilStar Entertainment and MCAB

03/11/2026

This week, our clients had the opportunity to experience the “Touching Feeling” exhibit at the Helix Gallery in Philadelphia. The exhibit featured textile artists Linda Ruggiero and Sugandha Gupta, whose work explores how art can be experienced beyond sight.

Both artists use textile practices to create powerful works that honor embodied knowledge and challenge traditional ways of perceiving art. Ruggiero draws from her experience as a critical care nurse, using the rhythmic process of weaving to reflect on the emotional weight of trauma and caregiving. Gupta’s artistic approach is rooted in touch, sound, and sensation, influenced by her lived experience with albinism and visual impairment. Her multi-sensory textiles intentionally move beyond visual dominance, inviting audiences to engage with art through touch and other senses.

To ensure the exhibit was accessible for everyone in our group, information about the artwork was also available in braille and large print, allowing our clients to explore and understand the pieces in the format that works best for them.

The staff at Thomas Jefferson University were incredibly welcoming to our group. They even provided a conference room so our clients could spend time discussing the exhibit and reflecting on how touch and other senses shape our daily lives.

We are so grateful for this meaningful and inclusive experience!