Dennis Steiner is legally blind. That doesn't make him any more qualified to be the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of VisionCorps, but it certainly does provide him with a unique perspective and a very specific insight into the organization and its purpose.

"It does give me a perspective that others might not have," said Steiner. "There are qualities that a CEO must have. But I don't think blindness gives me any leadership qualities."

"My vision tends to fluctuate," Steiner continued. "I don't drive a car. I take the bus to work and usually catch a ride home or use Uber. I use assisted software on my computer (to read). If I'm reading for extended periods of time, I use audiobooks. For me, I grew up with vision loss. I don't think of my vision loss as who I am. It's something I deal with."

Located at 244 N. Queen St., Lancaster, VisionCorps serves the blind and visually impaired. It seeks to enrich the lives of those who have experienced sight loss through preventative, rehabilitative, educational and employment programs and services.

"Our mission is to empower individuals with vision loss to attain independence," said Steiner. "If people are experiencing vision loss, they should reach out. I think people need to recognize that vision loss is not the end of the world. People can live successful lives, happy lives and continue to do the things they like to do. We can have a very positive impact on people's lives."

VisionCorps serves about 1,500 people annually, 75% of whom are over the age of 65. VisionCorps also administers 10,000 vision tests to preschool students in Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Adams and Chester counties each year.

"I don't think everyone is aware of the opportunities that are available (through VisionCorps)," said Steiner. "Based on census data, we know there are more people out there who could benefit from our services. Some people are reluctant to reach out, and I think part of it is fear. I don't think anyone accepts vision loss. We like to call it adjustment."

VisionCorps employs about 200 people in Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties, as well as in Little Rock, Ark., and about half of those individuals are visually impaired.

"Those of us who are vision impaired have a saying; 'The only things we can't do is drive a car or fly a plane, but give us the keys and we'll try,'" said Steiner. "People say, 'I can't read the newspaper anymore.' But there are a couple of ways around it. Part of our job is to teach people how to use those services."

VisionCorps began its mission in 1926 and went through a number of name changes before settling on its current one.

"One of my staff came up with the name VisionCorps. It's like the Peace Corps focused on vision," said Steiner. "A lot of the organizations for the blind started in the early 1900s. We had a lot of vets returning from World War I experiencing vision loss. VisionCorps was started by a group of women who wanted to help those folks. Our focus is not about taking care of people but giving them the skills to take care of themselves and be independent so they can start families, build houses and earn sustainable wages."

For additional information about VisionCorps, go to http://www.visioncorps.net.