The Blind Social Center (TBSC) is a non-for profit 501(c)3 organization that specializes in the blind and visually impaired community. TBSC was founded by Tony and Connie Blair after Tony lost his sight due to an
aggressive form of Glaucoma. Tony and Connie Blair realized that there were not many resources in Gary and the Northwest Indiana region that were available for the blind and visually impaired. After Mr. Blair went through an extensive
6-month rehabilitation program in Indianapolis, Indiana (BOSMA Enterprises), Mr. and Mrs. Blair concern was that in their own community, the awareness of the blind and visually impaired was not present, as well as a place to go
where they can socialize with others in regards to their visual impairments. The Blair’s took a vision along with their desire to help others and in August 2014, Tony and Connie Blair opened The Blind Social Center in Gary, Indiana.
The mission of the Blind Social Center is to enrich and stimulate the lives of the blind and visually impaired community. The vision of the Blind Center is to shed light on blindness through socializing and training
the vision-impaired to achieve their economic, educational, physical, and personal goals. Applying social skills in an environment that is conducive to the needs of those that are blind and visually impaired, allows the patrons
to re-establish skills that have begun to diminish. Within the social environment, patrons learn Braille training, keyboard /computer training, IPad training, personal management, homemaking, nutrition education, fitness training,
as well as arts and crafts. The patrons also learn how to become members of an inclusive community.