Philadelphia, PA, Monday, August 17, 2009 ---- Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ASB), the largest non-profit organization located in southeastern Pennsylvania serving people who are blind and visually impaired, has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Caroline J. Sanders Trust #2 to further support its Custom Braille Division.

ASB’s Custom Braille Division has been providing quality braille since 1929. ASB is one of the five largest producers of braille in the nation. The Division brailles and proofreads over 94,000 master braille pages, as well as presses, collates, and binds over 11,000,000 braille pages per year. Pieces include: library books, magazines, textbooks, brochures, manuals, newsletters, insurance forms, job-related materials, and statements for banks and utilities each year.

Patricia C. Johnson, President and CEO of ASB, said the funds will be used to enable the Custom Braille Division to meet the growing demand for its services while providing quality braille products.

"We are extremely grateful to receive this grant," said Johnson. "Our Custom Braille Division provides high quality braille products to those we serve and to those who need them. Over the past year, the need for these products has grown tremendously and we’re there to support the high demand. In turn, we rely on the generosity of foundations, corporations, organizations, and individuals to help keep our Braille Division flourishing."

With roots dating back to 1874, ASB has as its mission to promote self-esteem, independence, and self-determination in people who are blind or visually impaired. ASB provides a full spectrum of rehabilitation and life skills education from computer training to hands-on gardening, Latino outreach, and support groups. ASB also produces approximately eleven million pages of braille per year. Visit us online at www.asb.org.