Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Each Year CBVI hosts or attends a variety of events for outreach and education purposes, or in honor and in celebration of people in the low vision community, whether past or present. Please see below for more information on a few of these annual or featured events.

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Hellen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week

JUNE 27, 2026

The Deafblind Community Access Network of New Jersey (DB CAN NJ) is celebrating Hellen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week, which is Thursday June 25, 2026 through Wednesday July 1, 2026.

DB CAN NJ is holding its annual celebration event to raise awareness of NJ’s vibrant deafblind community, culture, and accomplishments. This event will be held on Saturday June 27, 2026 at the Joseph Kohn Training Center from 11:00am – 3:00pm.

CBVI’s Executive Director, Dr. Bernice Davis, and CBVI’s Assistant Division Director, Charles Pat McKenna, will be in attendance.

Each year the Governor signs a proclamation, recognizing and honoring the Hellen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week.

If you would like more information, please visit: https://www.dbcannj.org/events

Location:
Joseph Kohn Trainings Center (JKTC)
130 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Date:
June 27, 2026

Time:
11:00am – 3:00pm

Covering The Bases

JULY 29, 2026

The Covering the Bases Event also known as Blind Awareness Night with The Trenton Thunder

This is CBVI’s annual event to promote full community inclusion and awareness of the potential and achievements of individuals who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired.

Students who are attending a college or university in the Fall of 2026 and meet eligibility requirements have applied for scholarship funding towards their Fall semester. The awardees are presented with certificates of their Scholarship Awards during a pre-game ceremony on the Trenton Thunder baseball field. The presentation of the scholarship awards is made possible by the generosity of the members of the CBVI’s Board of Trustees and a private donor.

Hosted by:

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired And The Trenton Thunder Baseball Team

For further information or to acquire tickets for “Covering the Bases” please e-mail: askcbvi@dhs.nj.gov with “Trenton Thunder” in the subject line.

Blindness Awareness Month

OCTOBER 8, 2026

Did you know that Blindness Awareness Month started in October 2009, here in New Jersey? And that each year, the Governor signs a proclamation declaring October as Blindness Awareness Month?

Blindness Awareness Month seeks to accomplish many things. Among them are:

Education: Companies around the world teach the public about good eye health and the latest research and innovations in the treatment of eye disorders.
Inspiration: Stories are shared about blind or visually impaired people accomplishing incredible things most sighted people do not attempt.
Advocacy: Organizations garner support for more resources, research, access, and laws that enable people with visual impairments to live fully productive lives and contribute equally to their communities.

CBVI’s Annual Blindness Awareness Month (BAM) event is held every October in recognition of Blindness Awareness Month and is CBVI’s own Community Resource Fair.

At our Resource Fair, which is free of charge to the public, people of all ages can come and learn about the services provided by CBVI through conversations and interactive demonstrations with CBVI employees.

In addition, organizations that assist in providing services and resources are featured at the event and ready to share information on how they too provide support to the blind, deafblind, and visually impaired community.