The Blind Project at California Medical Facility (CMF) recently marked its 65th anniversary with a banquet and graduation ceremony. The event recognized the achievements of incarcerated workers while celebrating the program’s long-standing commitment to serving the visually impaired.
Founded in 1960 through a partnership between CDCR and the nonprofit Volunteers of Vacaville (VOV), the Blind Project offers incarcerated individuals technical training in:
- Braille transcription
- Braille writer repair
- audio book production
- eyeglass refurbishment
- and tactile graphics.
These services are provided at no or reduced cost to schools, nonprofit organizations, and individuals in need.
Blind Project Director and Correctional Officer Joseph Jazuk reflected on the program’s impact.
“I have really enjoyed learning this job over the last year. It has been a very rewarding experience helping the visually impaired community and being part of donating to local charities,” Jazuk said. “It was well deserved for the workers in the Blind Project to receive acknowledgement for their achievements.”
What does the Blind Project at CMF do?
The program currently supports more than 150 school districts, universities, and nonprofit organizations across the United States. In recent years, Blind Project workers have transcribed thousands of pages into Braille, repaired hundreds of Braille writers annually, produced tactile educational graphics, and refurbished tens of thousands of eyeglasses for distribution.
VOV President Michelle Monette emphasized the value of the workers’ contributions.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve our community and be a part of Volunteers of Vacaville,” she said. “Over the past few years, we have been able to have a huge impact on our community through monetary donations, bicycle donations, and transcription donations. If it wasn’t for the diligence of the Blind Project workers here at CMF, none of that would have been possible.”
Beyond its service mission, the Blind Project provides incarcerated participants with the opportunity to develop job-ready skills, earn certifications, and engage in purposeful work benefiting people around the world. Former participants have continued in the field after release, including starting their own Braille transcription businesses.
As it enters its seventh decade, the Blind Project continues to expand its capabilities, deepen its community partnerships, and demonstrate how corrections-based programs can create meaningful change inside prison walls and beyond.
For more information
- Mailing address:
- Volunteers of Vacaville Blind Project, 1600 California Drive, Vacaville, CA 95696
- Email: VOVBlindProject@gmail.com
- Phone: (707) 448-6841 ext. 2044
- Location is not open to the general public
Story by Correctional Officer Joseph Jazuk
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