2025 Year in Review: Expanding Access and Strengthening Opportunity

2025: Expanding Access and Strengthening Opportunity Across Every Pillar of Our Mission

2025 was a year of steady, meaningful progress across Envision — and what stands out most is how these changes shaped the lives of the people we serve. Our teams expanded access to services, strengthened programs, and created new opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This Year in Review highlights key accomplishments across our mission pillars: Employment, Education, Rehabilitation, Research, and Outreach.

Employment

Employment remains central to Envision’s mission, and in 2025 we strengthened the pathways that help people who are blind or visually impaired succeed. Across our Base Supply Centers, improvements in safety, customer service, and workplace support created stronger environments where employees can thrive. Store refreshes, targeted outreach, and peer-to-peer support also contributed to significant growth in a national purchasing program—sustaining current jobs and opening doors to future opportunities.

In Manufacturing and Fulfillment, investments in quality and innovation expanded skill-building roles and increased capacity to deliver high-quality products. New product development, including cold-weather handwarmers for the U.S. Army, supported both operational growth and meaningful employment. Across operations, stronger performance translated directly into more employment opportunities for the people we serve.

Education

In October, Envision celebrated the opening of the new Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center in Farmers Branch, Texas—expanding access to specialized early learning for families of children who are blind or visually impaired.

Support for adult learners grew as well. Through the William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center, two Workforce Readiness Bootcamps helped participants strengthen job skills, refresh résumés, and apply for positions on-site. Cooking and daily-living classes provided practical tools that support greater independence.

Our youth program, Level Up, continued to grow, preparing 45 students from seven states through a week long immersion designed to build confidence, connect participants with peers, and support their transition to college and careers.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation services expanded in both depth and reach—helping more people build independence at home, at work, and in their communities. At Envision’s Vision Rehabilitation Center in Wichita, a new training program supported adults rebuilding everyday skills. With expanded grant funding, access to services grew to 37 counties across Kansas.

In Dallas, investments in assisting technology allowed the clinic to become a certified Evaluation Assessment Site for Texas Workforce Commission clients—the only site of its kind in the Dallas metroplex—significantly increasing access to tools that promote independence.

Research

Research and professional education continued to strengthen Envision’s long-term impact. The Gigi & Carl Allen Envision Research Institute published a peer-reviewed study in PLOS One examining how visual function is improved through different augmented-reality designs for individuals with low vision. This work provides valuable insights to inform future approaches to rehabilitation training and accessible design.

Envision also announced a new partnership with VisionServe Alliance to launch a combined conference in May 2026, bringing together clinicians, researchers, nonprofit leaders, and service providers to share best practices and spark future collaboration.

Outreach

Outreach efforts expanded Envision’s presence in the community, creating more opportunities for connection and learning. Envision Arts strengthened partnerships to bring accessible art experiences into public spaces, including a grant-supported “Braille in the Paint” installation during NCAA Basketball Championship weekend and a collaboration with Wichita Public Library’s Big Read summer programming.

The program also advanced collaborations with Wichita State University’s Ulrich Museum of Art, supporting the development of haptic technology designed to help people who are blind or visually impaired engage with art in museums and galleries. Envision also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Heather’s Camp—honoring decades of confidence-building experiences for children and teens.

Philanthropy and Partnerships

None of this progress would be possible without the generosity of donors and the dedication of Envision’s teams. In 2025, supporters showed up in powerful ways. In Dallas, the inaugural Peer-to-Peer White Cane Day Walk created meaningful opportunities to engage the community and share Envision’s mission.

In Wichita, Envision Gala: A Night for Vision raised nearly $550,000—setting a new record. Across Dallas and Wichita, the Fore Vision Golf Tournaments raised more than $375,000 to support programs and services in their respective markets. Together, these efforts ensure Envision can continue meeting growing needs across its mission.

Looking Ahead

Across the organization, 2025 told a consistent story: Envision expanded access, strengthened opportunity, and invested in people at every stage of life. From early learning to employment, from research to community outreach, the year reflected a commitment to long-term impact.

As Envision looks ahead, the organization remains grateful for the dedication of its employees and the trust of donors and partners. In Wichita, Envision also began laying the groundwork for a unified Water Street campus—taking important steps toward bringing more teams and services together in one collaborative and accessible location. Together, Envision will continue building momentum to empower people who are blind or visually impaired, and others with disabilities, to live, work, and thrive.

With gratitude,
Michael Monteferrante
President & CEO, Envision