New Vision for Independence hosts community events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise awareness, build connections, and support our mission. Explore our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved.
Every event hosted by New Vision exists for the purpose of sharing our mission and services with the community. By keeping our events mission-focused, we can inform and involve the community about vision loss, reducing negative perceptions and making the world increasingly more “blind-friendly.”
New Vision holds these events annually:
Dining in the Dark
Experience food, drink and conversation in a new way: in this unique dining experience, you will eat dinner in darkness. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, as part of a training exercise, will serve you wearing night vision goggles. The annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser event for New Vision for Independence will showcase that blindness does not have to be a barrier to independence.
- When: March 5, 2026, 6 p.m.
- Where: Venetian Center, Leesburg
Dining in the Dark 2026 is sold out! To be added to the waitlist, contact Joyce at jwalters@newvisionfl.org.
White Cane Day Events
Every year we plan a series of events to spread the word about White Cane Awareness Day (October 15). These events, planned in conjunction with our Advocacy Committee, aim to inform our legislators, business community, and the public at large both of the challenges faced by those with vision loss but also of the abilities and contributions of our visually-impaired neighbors.
“The chief handicap of the blind is not blindness, but the attitude of seeing people towards them.” -Helen Keller
Close Your EyesNew Vision for Independence hosts community events and fundraisers throughout the year to raise awareness, build connections, and support our mission. Explore our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved.
In honor of National White Cane Day, walk the walk blindfolded at our annual Close Your Eyes event.
By attending, you’ll:
- Participate in interactive activities around downtown Leesburg (hint: recruit a partner and wear comfy shoes!) and
- Show your support for the full inclusion of blind Americans in our community.
Every year since 1964, October 15 has been deemed National White Cane Safety day. In 2011, “Blind Americans Equality Day” was adopted, but no matter the name the goal is the same: ensure and champion the full participation of blind Americans in every facet of our society, every day.