Learn Well
Vision Screening Aids Reading Proficiency
Reading proficiency starts with being able to see the words on the page clearly. That’s why United Way, the Essilor Vision Foundation and Alcon Laboratories are partnering to provide vision screenings at some of the Fort Worth ISD and Arlington ISD elementary schools that are part of United Way’s Learn Well education initiative.
Nurses and trained volunteers—many of whom are Alcon employees—do the initial screenings. These include having the children put on 3-D glasses (shown above) and checking their depth perception to make sure both eyes are working together.
Children who then need an eye exam, if from a low-income family without vision insurance, receive one free of charge in a specially-equipped van that comes to the school. If the optometrist issues a prescription, free glasses are provided, often the same day as the eye exam. The kids get to choose the frames themselves from a wide selection of fashionable options.
Fort Worth ISD schools involved in the vision screening are Clifford Davis Elementary, D.K. Sellars Elementary and W.M. Green Elementary. Arlington ISD schools on the vision van calendar this fall include Anderson Elementary, Johns Elementary, Burgin Elementary, Morton Elementary, Remynse Elementary and Thornton Elementary. More Arlington elementary schools are slated for 2012.
Alcon is underwriting the Arlington visits, while United Way is funding the three Fort Worth schools. The Fort Worth schools are part of United Way’s efforts to help children become proficient readers by the end of third grade. The Arlington schools are part of United Way’s early learning work to prepare preschoolers to succeed when entering kindergarten.
Our Vision
Tarrant County will be a place where children, individuals and families thrive, where neighbors care for each other and where people willingly share the responsibility of ensuring a safe and healthy community for all.
Our Mission
To improve lives across our diverse communities by:
- Prioritizing needs in education, income and health
- Forming innovative and effective partnerships with other organizations
- Strategically raising and investing resources to make lasting change
Our Diversity Statement
United Way of Tarrant County values and seeks diversity by respecting the knowledge, abilities and experience of all individuals. Our commitment is to support an inclusive environment reflecting our United Way communities and accomplishing our mission.
