Founded in 1972, the Utah Council of the Blind is in its thirty-ninth year with now nearly 800 members. The UCB has provided thirty-eight years of service to people who are blind living in Utah. Its nearly six hundred members volunteer to initiate and direct programs and services which address the needs of the nearly 20,000 people who have lost or are losing their sight living in Utah. This low incidence population is often ignored by law makers and service providers thus making the programs of the UCB the only ones of their kind.

The organization has a Board of Directors of eight members five of whom are blind. We have no paid staff, all people working for the UCB are volunteers. All programs and services of the organization are initiated and directed by the board. Current Board members include:

Cindi Vega - President, Teacher of the Blind
Linda Collins - Vice President, IRS
Aunilie Hathaway - Secretary, Travel Agent
Vicki L. Flake - Treasury, Teacher of the Blind
Belva Frandsen - Board Member, Retired Cook
Arlene Hinman - Board Member, Retired Accountant
Doc - Board member, Retired Military

The mission of the Utah Council of the blind (UCB) is to improve the lives of people who are blind by providing opportunities for them to become independent, self-sufficient and able to function in their communities.

The Council has set up several programs to address the challenges faced by Utah's blind and visually impaired. Follow the links to read more about each program and download the prepared forms for submission.



Download our Technology Grant Application

Download our Scholarship Application Directions

The organization also has a credit union for all blind members. This allows them to get low interest rates for adaptive technology they may need.

There are an estimated 20,000 people who are blind or visually impaired living in Salt Lake, Davis, Tooele and Summit Counties. The loss of sight restricts their ability to function independently and freely access their community. People who are blind or who are losing their sight find they can no longer walk safely, cook their own food, wash their own clothing etc. Without their sight they cannot pay their bills, drive a car, read the newspaper, go shopping. Family and friends see them as being helpless. For some, the home becomes a prison, for others, a nursing home appears to be the only solution. Neither of these life sentences are necessary. With the proper training and the use of some adaptive technology, people with sight loss can be given back their independence. The majority of these people live on low or fixed incomes and cannot afford to pay for help.