National Association for Visually Handicapped
Serving millions of Hard of Seeing people throughout the world

The History of NAVH

Over 55 years ago Lorraine Marchi, a fourth generation San Franciscan and mother of 4 children, began National Association for Visually Handicapped. Her oldest son was born with albinism and she became aware that schools were unable to supply adequate large print educational materials for children like her son who did not require Braille. Out of that frustration and concern NAVH was born.

In 1954 she convened a meeting of health officials, educators, ophthalmologists, civic leaders and members of social organizations.  From that meeting emerged the Committee to Aid Visually Handicapped Children. For the next 17 years Dr. Marchi volunteered her services to a cause she described as her “life’s calling”. 

NAVH was the first and remains one of the only national organizations devoted solely to serving and advocating for the visually impaired. In its 55 year history NAVH has been the leader and pioneer in this cause.

Some of NAVH’s accomplishments include:

• Established first International Health Agency to offer services to the “Hard of Seeing” worldwide.
• Created standards for large print books for publishers, and provided large print school books throughout the United States to partially-sighted children.
• Established parental discussion groups to educate and assist parents with issues in connection with raising partially-sighted children.
• Established summer programs for adolescents with low vision in both San Francisco and New York.
• Provides educational booklets in English, Spanish, Russian and Chinese for professionals and the general public on vision and common diseases of the eye.
• Hosts an annual Kambara Low Vision Symposium for Ophthalmology Residents in the New York Metropolitan area, a program established in 1985.
• Hosts an annual Public Awareness Showcase and Counseling Center addressing the needs and services of the partially seeing, an event open to both professionals and the general public since 1973.
• Provides detailed information on “Know About Eyes” at presentations before senior residences and centers; as well as eye care professionals and those working with low vision individuals.
• NAVH is the official agency that has been representing the low vision field at The American Academy of Ophthalmology annually since 1957 and also exhibits at the American Academy of Optometry and The American Association of Optometry.
• Conducts self-help support groups for low vision seniors in New York.