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CABVI’s 2nd Annual Sips for the Senses Hits a Home Run at the Ball Park

May 5, 2025

SYRACUSE, N.Y. –  The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) hosted its Sips for the Senses event on Thursday at the Metropolitan Club at NBT Bank Stadium, providing the community with a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge assistive technology and learn more about CABVI’s impactful programs.

Sips for the Senses highlights CABVI’s commitment to expanding opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. Attendees experienced firsthand the transformative power of assistive technology. The glove packing line demonstration also showcased how innovative solutions can create meaningful employment opportunities. Additionally, the Meta glasses demo provided insight into how advanced technology can enhance daily living for individuals with vision impairments.

“For nearly a century, CABVI has grown as an innovator and leader in providing the highest quality vision health and wellness and rehabilitation services, job training, and employment opportunities for the blind and visually impaired,” said Ed Welsh, CABVI’s president and CEO.

With locations in Utica and Syracuse, each year CABVI serves more than 2,100 individuals of all ages in 10 counties across New York. Additionally, 40% of the agency’s employees are legally blind.

“Here in Syracuse, we now provide vision services, manufacturing and packaging, call center, and can offer 3PL services. We have great potential for growth,” Welsh said. “We can forge increased partnerships with businesses to create expanded employment opportunities, and with universities and medical centers, to conduct groundbreaking vision research and treatment.”

Welsh says CABVI has invested more than $7 million in the Syracuse facility, located at 6050 Court Street Road, to meet the demand for services and employment.

Sips for the Senses aims to build partnerships with community organizations to facilitate its ability to serve more people across the Syracuse community.

“We view this event as a Friend-raiser, not a fundraiser,” Welsh said. “We hope you can help us spread the word about what CABVI is doing and how we can do so much more.”