New Vision for Independence, Inc. (New Vision) is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and was incorporated on July 18, 2005. New Vision provides unique training to persons experiencing severe bilateral vision loss that is affecting their daily functioning in daily living, vocational, or academic activities. New Vision serves people of all ages — babies, children, teens, adults, and seniors — who reside in Lake and Sumter counties and The Villages. New Vision is the only provider of these vital services for this population in this geographic area.
Mission Statement
New Vision for Independence eliminates barriers to independence for people with vision loss through rehabilitation, community education, advocacy, and support services.
Core Values
Through these Core Values, established by our board of directors in 2019, New Vision demonstrates our commitment to inclusion, best practices, and continuing growth.
Knowledge
The staff and volunteers bring to New Vision knowledge and expertise that is perhaps our most valuable asset. We continue to learn and grow to best serve our community, and to then impart that knowledge on those we serve.
Examples of Knowledge in action:
- If client satisfaction surveys indicate knowledge deficiencies and opportunities to grow, we seek out resources to improve.
- While we strive to have the answers to our stakeholders’ questions, we have the humility to say, “I don’t know,” are empowered and dedicated to seek the answers, and have the respect and integrity to follow-up with the answer.
Passion
We display passion for the work at hand and bring that passion into everything we do.
Examples of Passion in action:
- We share Mission Moments, or “Woo-Hoos!” at every board meeting.
Dedication
We are dedicated to providing the best services possible, to improve the lives of those we serve. Above all, we are dedicated to each other and to New Vision.
Examples of Dedication in action:
- We add programming as needed to ensure we’re helping people through their vision loss journey, such as peer mentor check-in calls to provide extra support to those struggling and meditations open to clients and staff as a tool to combat stress.
Integrity
We are true to our mission and our cause. We strive to always be above reproach and to behave ethically in all we do.
Examples of Integrity in action:
- We strive to practice what we preach. Although due to our size we are not subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act, we provide all employees and volunteers the tools needed to be successful with a disability.
- At every board meeting, the Board of Directors recites the mission statement. They remind one another to let the mission guide the business of the meeting, and to vote against anything that may lead us away from our mission.
Respect
We serve our clients with a quality that we would want if we need the services, to serve with kindness, compassion, and empathy. We vow to treat everyone with dignity in service of New Vision.
Examples of Respect in action:
- Staff and volunteers participate in annual communication training to help us improve our interactions with those who may experience the world differently.
- We understand that representation matters and we seek to have our board of directors and staff reflect the population we serve.
Empowerment
We deliver services to help empower clients toward independence, and are, ourselves, empowered to best serve our clients.
Examples of Empowerment in action:
- We will assume competence and set our expectations of clients accordingly. We do not “do for” our clients; we cultivate a culture of “Yes, you can!”