Vision Support Group Expands Across South Carolina
The nonprofit now operates in more regions to help families and individuals with vision loss live more independently.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Special Needs
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The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired recently celebrated its 90th anniversary while finalizing an expansion across South Carolina. The organization now aims to provide medical support and independence services to residents in all 46 counties of the state.
Why it matters
The expansion ensures that families navigating vision loss across the state have more accessible options for professional support and safety training. By opening new sites in the Midlands and Upstate regions, the nonprofit is closing geographic gaps in care for South Carolina residents.
Founded in 1936, the organization now operates with new facilities in the Midlands and Upstate regions. These additions support the goal of reaching all 46 counties in South Carolina to provide comprehensive vision-loss services.
The players
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
A long-standing nonprofit dedicated to providing medical support and independence services for those with vision loss.
Courtney Plotner
The president of the organization who has guided its operations and expansion since 2015.
The details
The organization provides essential medical support and training that helps individuals with vision loss live safely and independently. The recent expansion involves increasing the physical footprint to ensure these specialized services are closer to home for more state residents. This growth follows a 90-year history of service that began in Charleston.
Timeline
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired was founded in 1936.
Courtney Plotner became president of the organization in 2015.
The group marked its 90th anniversary in October 2026.
The Home Front
The nonprofit's regional expansion aligns with long-term trends in improving community-based accessibility for specialized health and living services. This growth marks a push toward statewide equity, following a established precedent of increasing localized support for families with vision loss.
Families seeking support for vision-related care or safety training should verify if the new Midlands or Upstate offices are closer to their homes. You can monitor the organization's progress in expanding to all 46 counties to see when additional local resources become available.
The takeaway
This nonprofit is actively scaling its support network to reach every county across the state. Families can keep their contact information on file and check the official website for updates on new regional programs as they develop.
Further reading
Learn more about local assistance and resources in the Special Needs section.
More information
For more information on the services provided, visit the ABVI organization information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCIV.
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