History

SAF began in 1973 because of a family’s love for their daughter, who was born blind. Her father, a Stanford Professor of Engineering, developed the grandfather of assistive technology for the blind, the “Opticon,” to empower his daughter to have access to print information. This device proved to have a tremendous impact on the lives of individuals who were blind.

SAF was founded in 1973 as the “Opticon Fund,” a nonprofit organization that provided long-term low-interest loans to assist individuals to purchase this breakthrough in assistive technology. Throughout our history, SAF has played a role in the development of early assistive technology, and has worked to integrate technology into the workplace to achieve accessibility, and open the doors of employment to this underemployed population.

Today, SAF is the only organization of its kind in the U.S. whose sole mission is to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired to obtain or retain competitive employment. SAF uses an interdisciplinary, holistic, service delivery model to provide employment, technology, and training services, along with workplace accommodations, to ensure our clients achieve their employment goals.

SAF believes productive, competitive employment is an important ingredient in a fulfilling life, allowing for financial independence and a sense of contribution to the community.

Key Points:

• SAF serves individuals 16 years or older throughout the state of California
• Over 70% of individuals who are blind or visually impaired of working age are unemployed or chronically under employed
• Since 1995, nearly 3,000 clients have received services from SAF
• Since 1995, over 1,350 individuals have been placed into competitive employment with a 97% retention rate
• Since 1995, SAF’s average Return on Investment (ROI) is 151%

(The ROI is based on the comparison Programs between the cost of the SAF Employment Program to the total savings in reduced Disability Benefits plus Federal and State Taxes paid by those same people.)

The cost For SAF services is funded through the California State Department of Rehabilitation, private fee-for-service, and community, corporate, and private donors. There is no cost to the client who is eligible for services, and no one has ever been denied services for lack of a funding source.

Recent accolades presented to SAF:

• The United States Secretary of Labor’s 2007 Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Award - in recognition of innovative programs and initiatives that increase equal employment opportunities.
• The California Council of the Blind (CCB) Humanitarian Award (2004)
• The United States Secretary of Labor’s 2003 New Freedom Initiative Award
• The California Association of Nonprofits (CAN) 2003 Achievement in Innovation Award

In alignment with our mission, SAF has created a for-profit division: “SAF Imaging.” In pursuing this mission, and continuing to strengthen the infrastructure of our agency, SAF is utilizing its proven track record of professionalism, business acumen, and dedication of assisting businesses improve there day-to-day operations, by offering a solution to your company’s records management requirements.

Utilizing the latest document image capture, enhancement, indexing, and repository technology, SAF Imaging is bridging the gap between traditional paper records management and the easier, safer, and cost effective method of digitizing records to facilitate electronic data management. SAF Imaging can convert traditional paper-based files into a variety of electronic document output types. Most common are .tiff and .pdf, which can be fully searchable and accessible. The electronic documents can be migrated onto a CD, DVD, USB Flash Drive , portable hard drive, uploaded to an existing document management system, or securely hosted over an Internet based application. NO matter how you are currently storing your files, SAF Imaging will work with you to develop a solution utilizing the latest hardware and software to facilitate a more efficient, easier, and cost effective document management system.

SAF Imaging was created for several important reasons:

• To provide document imaging and back-file conversion services to companies interested in improving their records management practices.
• To offer competitive employment opportunities to qualified SAF clients, who hold positions within SAF Imaging.
• To generate a revenue stream that will be reinvested into SAF, and become a funding source that will enable SAF to be self-reliant.

SAF and SAF Imaging believe that technology plays a vital role in the success of today’s businesses, as well as in the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Together, SAF and SAF Imaging are working to provide the highest quality services to our blind and visually impaired clients, and effective records management solutions to our business customers.

Utilizing the latest in assistive technology, and cutting edge imaging and repository technology, SAF’s and SAF Imaging’s aim is to empower individuals to realize their employment aspirations, and to empower businesses to achieve their strategic goals.

For more information on the Services that Sensory Access Foundation provides for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, click on the following link.