The Selma Times-Journal

The Visually Impaired Persons Organization, Inc., has closed its low vision center in Selma.

The VIP

board of directors met on Tuesday and decided to close because the location donated to the nonprofit organization was donated by a group of eye doctors who recently relocated.

“The place they’re moving to is not big enough to treat us as part of the package,” said William Bowman, VIP director. “I couldn’t make the announcement until after the board met. They don’t have the space to donate us at their new location.”

Once located at the Primary EyeCare Associates office on Citizens Parkway, the office closed as of Jan. 15. Bowman said they are in need of two offices or spaces of 12 x 16 inside an existing office.

“We’ve had zero luck,” Bowman said. “If somebody were to come forward and offer to donate space, we would be willing to look at it.”

The program was providing low vision information technology to the community.

“We were teaching visually impaired people how to use the technology to help them become more independent and functional within society,” Bowman said. “We would accept an in-kind contribution of a space.”

VIP served about 50 people over the past year, Bowman said.

“We are going to still maintain our web site, and continue information and referrals,” Bowman said. “I hope this community will come forward and do something to help this program continue, as they do with other programs in the community.”

For more information call (334) 354-4015.