2015-12-01T11:34:26-06:00 2015-06-30 231980475 Kreischer Miller 100 Witmer Road Suite 350 Horsham PA 190442369 990 2014-07-01 231370508 Associated Services for the Blind Inc ASSO 2156270600 919 Walnut Street Philadelphia PA 19107 Patricia C Johnson CEO/President 2156270600 2015-12-01 1 Brad Frederick P00686625 2154414600 2014 2016-04-25 22:37:26Z Patricia C Johnson 919 Walnut Street Philadelphia PA 19107 27780872 0 X www.asb.org X 1984 PA Associated Services for the Blind provides support through education, training and resources, as well as community action and public education, for people who are blind or visually impaired. 15 15 53 103 0 0 650209 666976 1284833 1350603 2491071 2362585 77477 44134 4503590 4424298 8044 8590 0 0 2392741 2144530 0 0 208749 1304423 1429581 3705208 3582701 798382 841597 29220249 28902517 393187 413124 28827062 28489393 X Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ASB), a private non-profit organization, promotes self-esteem, independence and self-determination in people who are blind or visually impaired. ASB accomplishes this by providing support through education, training and resources, as well as through community action and public education, serving as a voice and advocate for the rights of all people who are blind or visually impaired. ASB produces documents, forms, books, magazines, reports and various other materials to support and educate the blind community. ASB endeavors to support the scientific community involved in relevant research projects by identifying client candidate volunteers, client preparation and client adjustment training. 1 0 582835 25238 Human Services Division:Since 1983, ASB's Human Services Division has provided services to more than 60,000 individuals through personal adjustment to blindness training (PABT), educational / vocational testing and assessment, orientation and mobility training, recreational programs, phone-a-friends, case management, a gardening program, English-as-a-Second Language Programs, Latino Outreach, Computer Technology Training, and the Innovative & Expansion - Job Readiness/Training and Employment Program. With its mission as its driving force, ASB has been able to continue proving vital quality services to a population that is often underserved and truly overlooked. During FY 2014 - 2015, 18 students were enrolled in ASB's Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training Program (PABT), which through one-on-one training, emphasizes personal and interpersonal communication skills, activities of daily living, and Orientation & Mobility Training, which teaches techniques of safe and independent travel. In addition, 38 standardized and adapted tests were administered by ASB Psychologist; which, focused on helping individuals make academic and career choices. Twenty students received individualized training through ASB's Computer Technology Center which focuses on assisting individuals to develop computer competency which is necessary to prevent job loss or expand skills that will assist them with retaining or regaining employment, or to develop competency so that entering the workforce for the first time would be more achievable. 1609678 1322214 Production & Custom Braille: For more than seventy-five years, ASB's Braille Division has been providing quality braille and large print materials for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, in an effort to support independence and self-determination. During the past fiscal year, the division brailled and proof-read more than 54,000 master braille pages and pressed, collated, and bounded over 16,000,000 braille pages. Projects included a total of 47 book titles and 11 magazines under its contract with the National Library Service for the Blind, 14 student text books for elementary, secondary, and college level students throughout the United States, and over 140 raised line graphics were produced by braille transcribers for insertion into textbooks and tests. The division also brailled 38 student tests under contracts with various testing institutions; and other items such as cookbooks, brochures, newsletters, signs, and health & recreational materials. A total of 1,285 braille and 2,932 large print statements were produced for banks and utility services.ASB has partnered with Comcast to provide the cable giant's Channel Line-Up in both Large Print and Braille for interested subscribers. To date, 792 Large Print and 168 Braille copies were provided to various Comcast markets. Comcast has also commissioned ASB to begin producing their User Guides in both Large Print and Braille.Custom Braille currently has 910 braille books available in twenty (20) different categories. ASB makes braille and large print available to everyone. Customers include not only individuals who are blind or visually impaired, but corporations, non-profit organizations, schools at every level, the Library of Congress, and other governmental agencies. 409747 Specialized Social Services (Grant Program) ASB's Specialized Services Division served 463 blind and visually impaired clients during fiscal year 2014-2015. Through its comprehensive curriculum, individuals are provided with the necessary life skills to function independently at home, in the workplace, and in the community. ASB currently provides various levels of Life Skills Education Classes in both English and Spanish to help participants learn skills designed to compensate for blindness and visual impairments and to allow them to remain independent. Support Groups offered in both English and Spanish include Assertiveness Training, Men's and Women's Low Vision Group, Young Adults Group, Diabetes Information and Support, and Northeast Low Vision Support Group. There were 20 active clients participating in ASB's English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes which address the need of a population that not only is dealing with vision loss, but also has challenges in communicating with the non-Spanish speaking world around them. ASB also provides supportive services such as assistance with grocery shopping, reading mail, paying bills, handling correspondence, assistance with completion of applications for benefits, and information and referral. These services provide clients with a safe place to share their challenges, successes and frustrations; and help them to be independent allowing them to become more active in the communities where they live and work.Through a grant awarded through the Commonwealth of PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) ASB was able to introduce a new and innovative program to assist in providing employment prospects to blind or visually impaired individuals. ASB's Innovation & Expansion - Job Readiness/Training Program focuses on all elements of job readiness: screening participants to access their strengths and needs; provide a broad range of activities enabling participants to better negotiate the world; offer specific job-related skills (e.g., using computers) and associated skills (e.g., developing resumes, interviewing, working well as part of team); continue assessing the progress of each participant and evaluating the overall program; drawing on our existing network of public, nonprofit and for-profit organizations in order to strengthen and place program participants in meaningful and sustainable employment. During FY 2015, the first nine months of this program, ASB was able to place 8 individuals in gainful, competitive employment.Community Satellite locations give ASB the opportunity to provide weekly or monthly specialized services such as Life Skills and Low Vision Support Groups to blind and/or visually impaired adults within their own communities. Currently, ASB has established partnerships with four local community organizations and/or senior centers to provide services at their locations and is looking to continue its expansion of Satellite Office locations by developing new partnerships. 29226 3151 Custom Audio:ASB's Custom Audio Department provides traditional recording services to individuals and businesses alike both locally and nationally upon request. During FY 2015, the department completed more than 190 recordings and continued streaming content online via ASB's Website www.asb.org. Unique in its function, subscribers can access local grocery store ads, community activities, AARP news and articles, SEPTA information, adaptive technology news, and inspirational interviews with individuals who have disabilities and were able to overcome their obstacles. New content is added on a regular basis. ASB also provides the local grocery ads, area activities, and AARP content to the National Federation for the Blind's (NFB) NEWSLINE, a free telephone service for the blind and visually impaired. 29226 3151 2631486 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 34 0 1 53 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 PA X Joyce Robertson 2156270600 919 Walnut Street Philadelphia PA 19107 Kevin E Brown Board Chairman 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Dr Roy G Fitzgerald Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Arthur Seidner Esq Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 R Thomas Unkefer Board Treasurer 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Robert Winthrop CPA Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Patricia C Johnson CEO & President 35.00 X X 171792 0 20901 Ronald E Bowlan 1st Vice Chairman 0.00 X X 0 0 0 George Foley 2nd Vice Chairman 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Joseph McManus Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dr Anjan Chatterjee Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Constance Moore Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Leonard Sayles Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Thomas J Wlodkowski Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Thomas Teesdale Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joanne Malatesta-Davidoff Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 Francis R Grebe Esq Director 0.00 X 0 0 0 171792 0 20901 1 0 1 0 0 409747 257229 3100 666976 Braille Production 323100 1322214 1322214 Fees for Services 561000 25238 25238 Custom Audio 515100 3151 3151 1350603 616026 616026 794 0 794 794 794 25075499 23328940 1746559 1746559 1746559 61847 27634 34213 34213 Miscellaneous other 900099 9127 9127 9127 4424298 1350603 0 2406719 8590 8590 192693 96347 96346 1400297 1198508 159402 42387 66757 56826 8239 1692 339808 303122 32208 4478 144975 100605 40698 3672 7407 7407 26399 1591 24808 100729 100729 92837 20812 72025 1165 75 1090 31297 18708 6880 5709 391200 230444 156440 4316 46773 46650 123 9481 2866 6615 5954 5954 58115 58115 28622 1966 26656 Braille Production 301913 301913 Contracted Services 145504 113029 3046 29429 Equipment rental 49988 20913 8842 20233 Freight and Shipping Su 49620 45461 4084 75 82577 19803 39131 23643 3582701 2631486 742466 208749 218281 194556 322292 426739 185660 341848 54342 60952 927881 820518 165532 107363 28274142 27771059 29220249 28902517 393187 413124 393187 413124 X 25177398 24832025 132597 136634 3517067 3520734 28827062 28489393 29220249 28902517 841597 -1460918 281652 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1424337 919993 658593 650209 666976 4320108 1424337 919993 658593 650209 666976 4320108 454578 3865530 1266446 1245691 902944 786813 878527 5080421 13260 25320 25025 10493 9127 83225 9483754 7695146 0.40760 0.49580 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 37525 37525 3545176 3582701 329135 82284 0 0 324605 344414 335260 329135 1333414 2000121 37411 37591 40448 37525 152975 81151 86104 83815 82284 333354 500031 3517067 6812 3145 3520734 3045351 50 474523 2857 3517067 2761382 1600 285276 2907 3045351 2941831 1440 -178939 2950 2761382 2455137 1000 488507 2813 2941831 1.00000 0 0 923185 815822 107363 4696 4696 0 107363 Stocks 3956941 F Government Securities 7613986 F Mutual Funds 15024243 F Cash Equivalents 569943 F Alternative Investments 605946 F 27771059 X 3245032 -1460918 281652 -1179266 4424298 0 4424298 3582701 0 3582701 0 3582701 Part X, Line 2: The Organization is a not-for-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. As such, the Organization will not incur any liability for federal income taxes on exempt activities; unrelated business activities were not conducted during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The Organization files federal Form 990. With few exceptions, the organization is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. It is difficult to predict the final timing and resolution of any particular uncertain tax position. Management does not currently anticipate significant changes in its uncertain tax positions over the next 12 months. Louis Braille Awards Luncheon 40352 40352 13262 Vision Cup-Golf Tournament 21495 21495 10802 1 3570 61847 61847 27634 27634 34213 1 Adaptive aids 42 8590 Fair market value Items included talking watches, money identifiers, alarm clocks, talking blood pressure monitors, casette recorders, scanners, home computers, and other various adaptive aids. X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Patricia C Johnson CEO & President 171792 0 0 0 0 0 8608 0 12293 0 192693 0 0 0 Form 990, Part III, line 2 During FY 2015, ASB was awarded a grant through the Commonwealth of PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to introduce a new and innovative program to assist in providing employment prospects to blind or visually impaired individuals. ASB teamed up with OVR along with area business owners and other potential employers to launch the Innovation and Expansion Project. With specific hands-on training, education, and ecouragement, ASB was able to place individuals who are blind or visuallly impaired in meaningful and sustainable employment. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11 The Board of Directors of Associated Service for the Blind (ASB) has approved the following procedure for the preparation, review and approval of the organization's IRS 990 Tax Form at its meeting on June 18, 2009. - The IRS 990 Tax document is prepared by the organization's Audit Firm with the assistance from ASB's Controller. - ASB's Controller will work with the organization's Development / Public Relations Department as well as with agency Program Directors to draft / review all narrative documentation that is to be presented on the IRS 990 Form. - Once the draft of the form has been completed and undergone review by the Audit Firm, a copy is forwarded to ASB's Controller for review. The Controller will draft any recommended changes / corrections and discuss with the Audit Firm. - A copy of the revised draft will be forwarded to the Controller for review to assure that all changes / corrections have been completed. - After the Controller has reviewed and approved all necessary changes, a copy of the drafted document will be forwarded to the organization's CEO & President for review and approval. (If there are any changes / corrections, the CEO & President will ask the Controller to contact the Audit Firm.) - The drafted document will then be forwarded to all Audit Committee Members and the Board Chairman for review and approval. (If there are any changes / corrections, the CEO & President will be notified to have the Controller contact the Audit Firm.) - After the review and final approval of the drafted document by the Board Chairman and Audit Committee Members, the Controller will contact the Audit Firm and authorize them to "finalize" the document and forward an "original" and copy of the IRS 990 to the attention of the CEO & President for signing. - The CEO & President will officially sign off on both copies of the IRS 990 and forward to the Controller for processing. - The Controller will prepare and mail the original signed copy to the IRS. A copy of the Form is kept in the Controller's office. (Copies are available upon request.) Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c Conflict of Interest Statements are provided to board members on an annual basis at the Annual Board Meeting in September each year. Updated statements are required from board members only if their existing information on file has changed. New board members are provided with a Conflict of Interest Statement in their welcome packet and are required to submit their statements prior to the next scheduled board meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 a. The organizations CEO, Executive Director, or top management official - Each year, the process for determining the compensation of the organization's President & CEO is carried out by a committee consisting of several board members, which are selected by the Board Chairman. Members of the committee differ from year to year. In order to make an informed decision, the committee gathers information encompassing both financial and organizational matters in which the President & CEO plays a key role. The committee holds a meeting to discuss their findings and determines the appropriate compensation. Once a decision is made, the Board Chairman meets with the President & CEO to relay the outcome and then sends an official letter with a copy to the Human Services Manager for further processing. b. Other officers or key employees of the organization - Performance appraisals are conducted before the end of the evaluation period and at least once annually, to set goals for the coming year, and to help determine an employee's future compensation. The performance appraisal consists of a discussion between supervisor and employee regarding areas of improvement, setting goals for the coming year, and to help determine employee's future employment with ASB. The result is a written report by the supervisor evaluating the employee's performance based on the job description. The supervisor and employee must sign this performance appraisal and a copy is given to the employee. The employee's signature does not signify agreement or disagreement, only receipt of the report. If the employee does not concur with the appraisal, he/she may submit a written exception to the appraisal within five (5) working days of having received the appraisal, and this written exception will be attached to the appraisal. If an employee's job performance is judged unsatisfactory by the supervisor at any given time, an additional performance appraisal shall be given for three months in order to improve performance. All employees receive a copy of their job descriptions and their evaluation forms with their signature. A copy is also placed in their Personnel Files. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 All organizational governing documents and financial statements are available to the public upon request. ASB's IRS 990 Form can be found online at Guidestar.com and on Charity Navigator. It is also available upon request. Form 990, Part XII, line 2C No change from prior year. Form 990, Part V, Lines 7G & 7H Not applicable.