For a quarter of a century Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind has been serving residents of Cabell and Wayne Counties of West Virginia. Offering goods and services to a specific group of individuals - the blind and visually impaired.
Founded in the Fall of 1975 by Charlie Harris, CWAB® has grown from small quarters on the edge of Wayne County to a spacious facility on the edge of downtown Huntington providing transportation, computer training, rehabilitation services, mobility instruction, and many other services which allow those with low, or no vision to lead normal active lives.
THE HISTORY OF CWAB®
CWAB® was organized on Oct. 9, 1975, when the charter was filed with the state of West Virginia by Charles Harris of Huntington, the founder of CWAB®.
The preamble to the bylaws reads in part, “We the blind of Cabell and Wayne counties bind ourselves to the cause of exploring, expanding and exploiting our abilities as free and equal citizens. We are the blind speaking for ourselves, relying upon each other for the accomplishment of those goals defined for ourselves by ourselves.”
As it grew, CWAB® began to offer social programs and held fund-raisers so it could provide specialized prescription eyeglasses to needy children and adults.
As more blind and visually impaired residents in the two counties became members, it became apparent that a vital component was missing - integrated services for that population that would be available through a single source. For that, additional funding was needed.
The means to expand became available in 1979 on the death of retired U.S. Postal Service worker C.J. Teubert of Huntington. In his will, Mr. Teubert directed that the bulk of his estate, with a value of $3 million, be used to “relieve the hardships resulting from blindness.” After several years of litigation over the validity of the handwritten will, the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust was formed in 1987; it began awarding grants to area agencies in 1988.
In April, 1989, following a detailed needs assessment performed by Marshall University’s School of Medicine, the Services Division component of CWAB® was activated. The Teubert Trust provided initial start-up funding.
CWAB®’S
SERVICES DIVISION
As a separate branch of CWAB®, the Services Division was established.
Since June of 1989, free door-to-door van transportation has been offered in Cabell and Wayne counties. This service continues today with three custom-built 13-passenger vans and a four-passenger mini-van.
The Services Division’s mission of serving the blind and visually impaired continues in a variety of ways, all geared toward promoting independence and self-reliance.
All material contained on this website is the sole property of CWAB®, Inc. and may not be copied, reprinted, or otherwise redistributed without the prior written consent of CWAB®, Inc.
(C) 2000 CABELL-WAYNE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND
All Rights Reserved