Vision Support Services Expand in South Carolina
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is growing its footprint to serve residents across all 46 counties.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Special Needs
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The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired marked its 90th anniversary this October. The organization, which provides medical support for individuals with vision loss, is expanding its reach to provide services across all 46 counties in South Carolina.
Why it matters
Expanding into the Midlands and Upstate regions increases access to essential tools that help individuals with vision loss live safely and independently. This growth is part of a long-term goal to provide comprehensive support throughout every county in the state.
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired marked 90 years of operation since its 1936 founding. While the nonprofit recently opened two new offices in the Midlands and Upstate regions, the specific timeline to reach all 46 South Carolina counties remains to be determined.
The players
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
A nonprofit organization that provides medical support and services for individuals with vision loss.
Courtney Plotner
The president of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired who has served in the leadership role for 11 years.
The details
The organization provides specialized services and medical support designed to help clients adapt to vision loss. By establishing new physical locations in the Midlands and Upstate, the nonprofit is moving beyond its original base in Charleston to create a more localized service network. This infrastructure aims to offer the direct, community-based care required to help residents maintain independence in their daily lives.
Timeline
1936: The organization was founded.
2015: Courtney Plotner became president of the organization.
October 2026: The organization marked its 90th anniversary.
Health Landscape
This expansion marks a modern evolution of the mission set at the 1936 founding of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The move reflects a broader trend among regional health nonprofits to decentralize care to reach patients in rural or underserved areas.
Residents seeking support for vision loss can contact the organization to determine if services are now available in their specific county. Those interested in these programs should discuss their current care needs with their ophthalmologist or primary care physician.
The takeaway
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is broadening its support network across South Carolina to improve accessibility for individuals with vision loss. If you or a family member are managing vision impairment, contact a local care provider to explore available support services.
Further reading
To learn more about local resources for vision support, visit Special Needs.
More information
Find additional resources on the ABVI organization information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCIV.
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