Montana Association for the Blind

  • About Us - Our Mission

    The mission of MAB is to promote the social and economic self-sufficiency of blind and low-vision Montanans through the facilitation of quality education, training, community, employment, and adaptive services, in addition to fostering a positive understanding of blindness. We envision a Montana in which blindness is understood to be an ordinary and respectable part of life and in which the skills and tools of blindness are readily available to all who may benefit from them.

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  • 2026 MAB Convention - 80 Years Serving the Blind

    The Montana Association for the Blind proudly invites members, families, friends, professionals, and community supporters to the 80th Annual MAB Convention, September 11-13, 2026, in Great Falls, Montana.

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  • Summer Orientation Program (SOP)

    The MAB Summer Orientation Program is an immersive experience designed to support individuals who are blind or have low vision as they build independence, confidence, and essential life skills. Through hands-on instruction and real-world practice, participants strengthen skills such as orientation and mobility, daily living, assistive technology use, and effective communication. The program also emphasizes self-advocacy and personal goal setting, helping participants prepare for successful transitions into education, employment, and community life while fostering a strong sense of independence and self-determination.

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  • Low Vision Center (LVC)

    The MAB Low Vision Center in Bozeman, MT, is a welcoming resource offered by the Montana Association for the Blind where people who are blind or have low vision can explore and try adaptive tools, technology, and equipment to support independence in daily life. Staff and volunteers provide hands-on assistance with a wide range of devices—such as magnifiers, lighting solutions, accessible computer tools, kitchen adaptations, labeling systems, mobility aids, and more—helping individuals discover what works best for their needs. Open to drop-ins and appointments on Thursdays, the center is designed to be a supportive, accessible place to see, feel, and learn how to use the latest innovations that enhance confidence and independence for low vision Montanans.

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  • Get Involved

    Getting involved with the Montana Association for the Blind (MAB) is a great way to connect, contribute, and strengthen the blind and low vision community across the state. You can start by becoming a member, which helps support MAB’s advocacy, programs, and outreach while giving you a voice in the organization. Many members choose to get involved at the local level by participating in a chapter, where friendships are built and community needs are addressed close to home. Others volunteer their time by helping with chapter events, fundraisers, or statewide programs, offering skills and support that make a real difference. Whether you choose one path or a mix of all three, there is no single “right” way to be involved—every level of participation helps move MAB’s mission forward and strengthens the community as a whole.

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What's happening Around the State

  • Observer - Executive Director Reflections

    Posted by Jocelyn DeHaas on 2026-02-05 09:00

    Embracing Change: Moving Forward with Confidence

    Change is one of life’s few guarantees—yet it often arrives uninvited, unpredictable, and unsettling. For many in the blind and low-vision community, change comes not only in the form of shifting circumstances but in the very way we navigate the world. At the Montana Association for the Blind, we recognize that change can be difficult, but we also know it can be a powerful catalyst for growth, creativity, and renewed purpose.

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  • Observer - President's Report

    Posted by Doug Robinson on 2026-01-29 09:00

    In Memory Together

    Rhonda Cochrane passed away on December 26, 2025. On Saturday, January tenth, Rhonda Cochrane's family gathered with close friends to commemorate her life.  Some among us could attend, but if you could not get to Anaconda for the service, what could you do but think of all who gathered there together? All whom we love live always in our hearts: hold them vibrant in our memories.

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