by Carly Eden Stokes | Mar 2, 2025 | Blog, Feature, News, Press Releases
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey celebrated the grand opening of its new Morris Plains location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 27, welcoming community leaders, supporters and participants to experience the vibrant, accessible space designed to empower people with vision loss.
“This beautiful new home will allow for the continued development of exciting programs that foster our mission of helping each individual live an independent and fulfilling life,” VLANJ President and CEO Bill Schuldt told the nearly 30 guests. New Jersey Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and VLANJ Board of Trustees President Carl Augusto cut the ribbon, and Morris Plains Council President Sal Cortese presented VLANJ with the keys to the town, nicknamed “The Community of Caring.”
“We are honored that representatives from across the community took the time to join us in recognizing the important endeavor of improving services for people who live with vision loss,” said Jennifer Singer, VLANJ Vice President for Development and Communications.
Among the guests were New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Executive Director Bernice M. Davis, Morris County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Meghan Hunscher, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill staff member Megan Waters, Morris Plains Police Chief Michael Koroski, and five VLANJ trustees.
A Space for Growth and Community
The 6,600-square-foot center, built to meet the growing needs of people with vision loss, buzzed with activity as guests peeked in on a cooking class, watched participants at work in the art studio, and listened to the rhythmic beats of a drumming session.
“I’ve always loved the energy and passion that VLANJ brings to the blind community,” Davis said. She praised the facility’s thoughtful design, noting, “it’s bright, and the dark purple doors provide good contrast.” She also admired the NaviLens system, which uses smart-device-detectable QR codes to aid navigation.
Morris Plains Council Member Nancy Verga shared a personal connection to VLANJ, recalling her grandmother’s time in the program when it was the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind. “When she lost her sight, it was so important to her to be able to continue to cook and make beds and keep house,” Verga said. “She was able to maintain her independence.”
Bill Schuldt gives a tour of VLANJ’s new Morris Plains location.
VLANJ, one of New Jersey’s longest-serving nonprofits for adults with vision loss or blindness, operated in Denville for 70 years before relocating. The new space allows VLANJ to accommodate a 90% increase in in-person enrollment since 2019 and meet the rising demand for programs that empower individuals with vision loss, Schuldt said. Vision impairment in New Jersey is increasing 2-3% annually due to an aging population.
“VLANJ’s new home is exclusively ours, designed specifically to meet the needs of people with vision loss or blindness,” added Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda. The facility features an art and pottery studio, a yoga and fitness room, a training kitchen, and dedicated spaces for technology classes, support groups, and self-advocacy programs.
Longtime VLANJ participant Ursula Rucki was impressed. “It’s nice and bright, and the setup is good,” she said. “People are excited to be in a new place.”
Honoring VLANJ’s Legacy
Black-framed photos along the new facility’s hallways highlight the nonprofit’s progression over the decades. VLANJ’s roots date back to 1943 in Newark, where adults with vision loss formed a social club to support each other and challenge societal biases. By 1955, the organization moved to Denville as New Jersey Foundation for the Blind and launched a summer camp for blind women.
VLANJ expanded from life-skills training to wellness programs and technology education. Adopting its current name in 2016, VLANJ added low vision occupational therapy. During the pandemic, it successfully transitioned to virtual programming, which remains a valuable resource for those who are homebound.
Black-framed photos along the new facility’s hallways highlight VLANJ’s progression over the decades.
Today, VLANJ continues to innovate and expand its reach:
• In-person participants grew from 74 in 2019 to 141 in 2024, with an additional 159 individuals engaged in virtual programs.
• Education and community programs reached 880 people through 40 presentations in 2024.
• The VLANJ@Home program, launched in September 2023, had provided in-home low vision occupational therapy to 36 individuals by January 2025.
VLANJ offers in-center programs Monday through Thursday, including independent living skills, assistive technology, home safety, adaptive cooking, orientation and mobility, and self-advocacy. It also provides virtual education and support groups, in-home low vision occupational therapy, and real-world excursions to help participants navigate their surroundings with confidence.
“VLANJ offers classes that say to me, you are more than your physical challenges,” said Liz Edwards, a participant and self-advocacy group facilitator. “It reignites the fire and the fight within me.”
New and Expanded Services in 2025
VLANJ will collaborate with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to host three in-person events connecting participants through intergenerational mentorship. The nonprofit recently hired a full-time technology coordinator to offer more group and one-on-one coaching. With a third orientation and mobility specialist, VLANJ will expand center-based training and real-world outings to help participants gain confidence in navigating their environments. This spring, VLANJ is also launching a creative writing and poetry class focused on self-expression.
Support VLANJ at ‘Visions of Spring’
VLANJ’s biggest fundraiser of the year, “Visions of Spring – An Evening of Music and Inspiration,” will bring supporters together for a night of celebration and impact. The event, set for April 24 at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes, will help sustain VLANJ’s vital programs. For tickets and sponsorship options, click here. Questions? Contact Jennifer Singer at jsinger@vlanj.org or (973) 627-0055, ext. 2.
by admin | Oct 27, 2023 | Events, Feature, Press Releases, Program
This program brings the convenience of Low Vision Occupational Therapy services to a person’s home. This program focuses on addressing safety and independence in completing daily living activities and the Occupational Therapist can provide timely, specific individualized recommendations in strategies to adjust lighting, enhance contrast, improve household organization, and reduce the risk of falls and self-injury in the home.
Click here for more information.
by Carly Eden Stokes | May 27, 2022 | Blog, News, Press Releases
MORRISTOWN, NJ (May 26, 2022) — Guide dogs are part of Morristown’s fabric, but on Monday, participants from Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey used white canes to traverse the town’s sidewalks and intersections.
An individual holds a white cane while another has a guide dog at the checkout counter of a Morristown, NJ business.
Three orientation and mobility specialists from The Seeing Eye and VLANJ’s O&M expert provided one-on-one instruction to participants on a route that included several blocks of Maple Avenue and South Street. While one group of participants received instruction, the other toured a local business, and after lunch, they swapped roles.
“It’s so important for people with vision loss and blindness to learn mobility skills and practice how to safely navigate indoor and outdoor public spaces, as well as sidewalks, and crosswalks,” VLANJ Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda said. “It provides them greater self-confidence to venture out in their own communities and beyond.”
The O&M outing was the third in a series, generously funded by grants from the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust. The O&M specialists from The Seeing Eye, including VLANJ trustee Lukas Franck, volunteered their services.
Two individuals stand at a street corner in Morristown. One holds a white cane.
Peggy Kane went out with The Seeing Eye’s Kristin Lake, who first fitted her with a global positioning system that alerted Kane to upcoming intersections. As they walked along Maple Avenue, Lake noted uneven sidewalks in places, and reviewed cane techniques. Kane knew the importance of listening to traffic flow to know when it’s safe to cross an intersection that doesn’t have a walking signal.
“I don’t travel out in the community by myself as much anymore, so it was good to have the opportunity to practice my outdoor navigation skills,” Kane said.
Franck, a senior consultant at The Seeing Eye, worked with Marvin Morgan. At the traffic light at Maple Avenue and Miller Road, Franck coached Morgan to raise his pole to signal his intention to cross before stepping into the crosswalk.
Inside Braunschweiger Jewelers on South Street, owner Gretchen Braunschweiger stood at a circular display case and took out highly textured estate pieces for the VLANJ participants to handle.
Feeling a thick gold chain, Matthew Graves said, “This feels like a glow stick.” He tapped on a thick, smooth sterling silver bangle and said,“it feels and sounds like glass!”
Two individuals stand at the counter of Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown. A woman greets them behind the counter.
After examining more than a dozen pieces of jewelry, the VLANJ participants showed Braunschweiger mobility techniques they learned. Mary Ann Zino demonstrated trailing, using her cupped hand to feel her way around the circular jewelry display. Nicole Klein showed her different cane techniques to move around the store.
A woman holds her guide dog in front of a counter filled with sweets at a local Morristown business.
Braunschweiger said people with vision loss often visit the store, but usually, they are with guide dogs. When they enter, “someone goes up to the front to greet them,” she said.
After lunch, the participants who did orientation and mobility training in the morning visited Blue Mercury, a makeup and skin care shop on the Morristown Green. The VLANJ participants learned about products and smelled perfumes and colognes, and demonstrated human guide technique to Blue Mercury staff. The outing ended with a visit to Kilwins Morristown for ice cream.
About Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) that provides practical training and emotional support to help those who have experienced profound vision loss regain self-esteem and self-reliance. Since its founding in 1943, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has used a holistic approach to empower those with profound vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. Explore vlanj.org for more information.
by Carly Eden Stokes | Mar 30, 2022 | Blog, Events, News, Press Releases
Valerie Frink of Jersey City, a VLANJ participant, closely inspects a bright, colorful work by artist Jerry Pinkney, using the flashlight on her mobile phone.
MONTCLAIR, NJ (March 30, 2022) — As part of its effort to expand access for people with special needs, the Montclair Art Museum last week gave Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey participants a guided exhibit tour that featured detailed audio descriptions of artwork and multi-sensory objects to help visualize pieces.
“I liked being able to feel the object related to the artwork, and hear about the artist and materials used,” said VLANJ participant Debbie Tester, who has lost most of her sight to a degenerative eye disease. “It helped me get a picture in my head.”
The MAM tour was VLANJ’s second orientation and mobility community outing to learn and practice getting around in public spaces. The outings are generously funded by grants from the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust. Two VLANJ orientation and mobility experts accompanied the group and provided training inside the museum and on its grounds.
VLANJ participants gave MAM’s program high marks. “Make it longer!” suggested Roman Dodia. Montclair State University Associate Professor Maria José Garcia Vizcaíno, who volunteers as a docent, narrated the exhibit, “Transformed: Objects Reimagined by American Artists.”
![VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]](https://www.vlanj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_4727-225x300.jpeg)
VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]
MAM is committed to expanding access for people with special needs. It recently created the position of assistant director of Community and Access Programs, held by Celene Ryan. The museum offers virtual programs and runs in-person art classes that provide more support, with one-on-one or small-group instruction, Ryan said. New Jersey residents who receive Division of Developmental Disabilities funding can use the money to take MAM classes, she noted.
The VLANJ participants asked astute questions as they moved through the gallery, Ryan said. “They were really engaged.” They then provided feedback on the tour and MAM’s accessibility efforts in a focus group run by Montclair State University Associate Professor Elaine Gerber.
The nine VLANJ participants offered a range of useful suggestions, such as having the museum’s floor plan mapped on a GPS system like GoodMaps to help visually impaired people get around. They suggested information about artwork on plaques have a companion audio description, and that tape on the floor marking how close visitors can get to artwork be textured so people using canes can identify it.
VLANJ Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda demonstrated mobile phone apps that allow people with vision impairment to listen to written information about artwork. Because of the museum’s high ceilings, Zavoda recommended MAM tour guides use lapel amplifiers so visitors don’t miss narrations.
Museum Director Ira Wagner noted MAM tries to incorporate social elements into programming, inviting artists to speak. To thank VLANJ participants for their input on improving access, Wagner offered the group one-year memberships to MAM.
For more information about MAM, visit montclairartmusuem.org.
Visit vlanj.org to learn about VLANJ programs.
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About Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) that provides practical training and emotional support to help those who have experienced profound vision loss regain self-esteem and self-reliance. Since its founding in 1943, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has used a holistic approach to empower those with profound vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. Go to vlanj.org for more information.
About the Montclair Art Museum
The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) boasts a renowned collection of American and Native American art that uniquely highlights art-making in the United States over the last 300 years. The Vance Wall Art Education Center encompasses the Museum’s educational efforts, including award-winning Yard School of Art studio classes, lectures and talks, family events, tours, and the mobile MAM Art Truck. MAM exhibitions and programs serve a wide public of all ages and abilities, from families and seniors to artists, educators, and scholars.
by Carly Eden Stokes | May 4, 2021 | Blog, News, Press, Press Releases
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey welcomes William Schuldt, a seasoned nonprofit professional, as its new president and CEO!
William Schuldt, VLANJ’s New President and CEO, is smiling.
“Bill has solid management experience, and a passion for serving people with disabilities,” VLANJ Board of Trustees President Carl Augusto said. Schuldt’s selection by the VLANJ’s board of trustees culminated a nationwide search, Augusto noted. “We feel he’s a perfect fit to guide us toward growth and new heights of accomplishment.”
“I’m very excited to join VLANJ,” Schuldt said. “I’m very passionate about helping people with disabilities live their best life, and maximizing their independence.” Schuldt replaces Kris Marino, who led VLANJ for 6 ½ years.
Schuldt worked 33 years at Spectrum for Living, an organization serving more than 800 adults with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. He began his career working directly with clients, but moved into management positions over the years. He most recently served as vice president for operations.
“The connection with our clients is the most exciting thing to me. They feel like family,” the New Jersey native said. Schuldt said he was moved watching a recording of VLANJ’s 2020 virtual Dining in the Dark fundraiser and hearing participants’ stories about the impactful role the nonprofit has played in their lives.
Schuldt plans to work with VLANJ staff to expand quality virtual programming, while also preparing to reopen in-person classes. VLANJ quickly pivoted to online classes when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Enrollment increased three-fold, as people from across the state and beyond logged in or called in to a growing list of virtual programs.
“It’s time to take it to the next level,” said Schuldt, the father of three daughters. Schuldt’s other priorities for VLANJ include forming alliances and connections with other providers, and continuing to expand its exposure throughout the region and state. Schuldt and his wife, Sherrine, live in Hawthorne.
VLANJ, one of the state’s longest-serving nonprofits for adults who are blind or visually impaired, intends to expand services to meet the growing need, Augusto said. More than 160,000 New Jersey residents are blind or have severe vision loss, and that number is expected to increase as the population ages. By 2034, adults age 60 and over are projected to make up 25.4% of the state population.
![VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]](https://www.vlanj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_4727-rotated.jpeg)
