Senior Citizen's Vision Magnified with Donation of new Equipment

August 30, 2001

Four city of Phoenix Senior Centers have received a donation of a magnification system that will allow seniors who are legally blind or severely visually impaired to read and write independently.

The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired distributed the equipment to the city's Human Services Department Chinese, Manzanita, Paradise Valley and South Mountain senior centers as a gift from Thomas and Deborah Davidson. Davidson's mother, who has macular degeneration, had her life changed when she received one of these devices.

The Optilec Clearview 317 magnification system can magnify forms, printed and handwritten text and pictures up to 50 times their original size. The controls include instant focus, one-touch zoom, position locator and photo, reading and reverse reading modes.

"This donation is a wonderful gift to seniors who attend the city's senior centers as the equipment will allow them to read their favorite books or newspaper, and write letters to their loved ones." said Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten. "My mother, who is visually impaired, is grateful to the services offered by the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I'm pleased we can partner with the center to provide such an important service to our seniors."

More than 20 percent of the population 65 years and older experience vision loss. Davidson, founder and chairman of Datatel Corporation, plans to distribute this equipment to senior centers and assisted living facilities throughout the Valley to achieve his goal of reaching the largest number of people.

For more information visit www.phoenix.gov//HUMANSERVICES.html on the Internet.

Media Contact:

Marcie Colpas Pager

602-262-6164 602-201-7350