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EnglishWhat Is the Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) and Who Does It Serve?
Updated
The Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) is a non-profit, community-based organization that works with people who are blind or visually impaired. It serves the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley community and was established in 1923, giving it more than 97 years of service in the area. Its stated mission is to support, educate, and nurture blind and visually impaired residents of the Greater Merrimack Valley.
Who LAB serves
LAB organizes its services around two age groups, which makes it easier to tell whether a particular program fits you or someone you know:
| Group | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Youth Services | Participants ages 5–22 |
| Adult Services | Participants age 22 and older |
Beyond age-based programs, LAB also offers Technology Services and a Radio Reading Service. The organization is based in an office in downtown Lowell with about 4,000 square feet of accessible space used for meetings, adaptive equipment training, braille lessons, and a radio/recording studio.
What LAB offers
Youth Services
Programs for participants between the ages of 5 and 22.
Adult Services
Programs for adult participants age 22 and up.
Technology Services
On-site training with assistive technology, held at the downtown Lowell office.
Radio Reading Service
A reading service broadcast from the downtown office, available to tune in live on weekdays.
How LAB is funded
LAB is supported by contributions from memorial donations, grants from foundations, and program funding. It describes itself as a non-profit organization, and its services are tied to its mission of helping enrich lives and build independence.
What clients say
A client testimonial on the site, from Suzy Eppling, MS, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, describes LAB as doing an outstanding job supporting both children and adults with vision loss. She notes that in addition to educational and social opportunities, LAB frequently sponsors sensory-rich field trips, and that clients travel from as far away as Littleton and Salem twice a week to take part in the LAB community.
Getting in touch
The site includes a Contact Us section for reaching the organization. If you are unsure which program fits your situation, the age-based categories above are the quickest way to narrow it down: youth programs for ages 5–22, adult programs for age 22 and older, with technology training and the radio reading service available as separate offerings.