JBI Receives New York Community Trust Grant to Provide Free Services to NYC Nonprofits, Increasing Accessibility for New Yorkers With Visual Disabilities

NEW YORK (Feb. 13, 2024) - JBI, a nonprofit serving individuals who are blind, have visual impairments, or print disabilities, announced they will be expanding their services to create custom accessible materials in braille, audio, and large print formats to all NYC-based nonprofits--in most case free of charge--thanks to a $200,000, two-year grant from The New York Community Trust (NYCT). Founded as the Jewish Braille Institute in 1931, JBI will lend its long history of expertise to support social service and cultural institutions across NYC striving to enhance inclusion and foster equal access for all New Yorkers.

Livia Thompson, Executive Director of JBI, said, "We are thrilled to be able to offer our services to any NYC nonprofit, enabling a more accessible and inclusive city. NYC should be a place where everyone is welcome and able to participate in community, learning, and culture. From schools to libraries, museums to community centers, JBI can help create accessible materials for organizations who believe in the importance of inclusion for all New Yorkers as passionately as we do."

Rachel Pardoe, Senior Program Officer, The New York Community Trust added, "We are proud to support JBI's work breaking down barriers for individuals with vision disabilities - consistent with our commitment to a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of physical abilities, has equal access to information and the opportunities it brings. We're able to make this grant because of the generosity of donors who created permanent charitable funds in The New York Community Trust to help older New Yorkers and those with no or low vision. We're proud to honor their legacies."

JBI's grant was announced as part of $7.5 million in NYCT Awards to 40 nonprofits working to advance economic and educational opportunities for New Yorkers and improve lives throughout the city and beyond.

JBI plans to use the NYCT grant to provide access to crucial information for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including:

Transformation of Informational Materials: JBI will assist New York City nonprofits in transforming their print materials into braille, audio, and large print formats.
Free services: In most cases, JBI will offer its services at no cost to NYC nonprofit organizations, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder progress toward a more inclusive and accessible society.

JBI is now available to consult with NYC nonprofit organizations looking to increase accessibility in their communities. To find out more about the NYCT grant, JBI's work, or how JBI can provide free accessible material for your NYC-based nonprofit, please contact JBI's Outreach Consultant Roslyn Biskin at 646-616-3928 or rbiskin@jbilibray.org.

JBI
110 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016
Media Inquiries:
Jessica Barist Cohen
jessicac@chatham-strategies.com

About JBI
JBI, established in 1931 as The Jewish Braille Institute, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled gain access to Jewish life. JBI continues to innovate and empower communities through its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. www.jbilibrary.org

About The New York Community Trust
The New York Community Trust is a public charity and New York City's largest community foundation. It connects generous people and institutions with high-impact nonprofits making the city, Westchester, and Long Island better places for all. It builds stronger communities, influences public policy, fosters innovation, improves lives, and protects our environment. www.nycommunitytrust.org

This release was published on openPR.