Folsom
Project
for the
Visually
Impaired

Folsom Project for the Visually ImpairedFolsom Project for the Visually ImpairedFolsom Project for the Visually Impaired

Empowering Folsom State Prison Inmates and Visually Impaired

Historic stone prison entrance with a tall tower and iron gate.

Our Mission

At the Folsom Project for the Visually Impaired (FPVI), we are dedicated to providing essential services to those with visual impairments. Established in 1989, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Folsom State Prison inmates and visually impaired individuals through recycling eyeglasses and providing Braille transcription services to the blind community.

Our Founders

PDG Don Ring, reigning district governor in 1989, was at the inception of FPVI and was our president since the beginning. He assisted us along the way for 37 years until his passing in 2026.

Lion Richard Merz, Chief Financial Officer from

1989-2006, and past president of Northern California Lions Sight Association.

Our History

History of FPVI

The Folsom Project for the Visually (FPVI) was established as a community service program in 1989 by the Folsom City Host Lions as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization located within the granite walls of Folsom State Prison. The program is operated by Folsom Prison staff and inmates.

Initially founded with the modest goal of providing books on tape for individuals and students throughout the blind community of California, FPVI has grown over the past 37 years and now offers a wide array of services.

To further aid the sight-saving work of Lions International, donated eyeglasses are cleaned, gauged for prescription, and packaged for shipment anywhere in the world.

Helping others while learning job skills.

Recycled Eyeglasses

Folsom State Prison inmates clean, and gauge donated eyeglasses for prescription and then package them for shipment around the world.

FPVI Supplies Eyeglasses To:

Doctors for Orphans
Lions in Sight
Flying Doctors
Veteran's Stand Down
VSP
Church Missions
Doctors Without Borders
Lions Medical Missions
Flying Samaritans
Sacramento State Mission

Eyeglasses Delivered To:

Africa
Albania
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Guinea
Honduras
India
Iraq
Liberia
Malaysia
Mexico
Nepal
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Thailand
Uganda
United States
Viet Nam

Braille Embosser

We acquired a new embosser, which now allows us to be total independent and able to put Braille books together from start to finish. FPVI is proud to be a member of the California Transcribers and Educators for the Visually Handicapped (CTEVH).

Braille Books & Maps

Books and maps to converted to Braille by the Folsom State Prison inmates are utilized by the California Department of Education, Clearinghouse to Technology, as well as other agencies.

Chain of Volunteers

FPVI is an important link in the chain of volunteers who provide Braille Transcription services to the blind community. Thanks to the assistance of local Braille instructors, we have 32 individuals certified in Literary Braille, 6 individuals certified in Nemeth (math) and 8 others working toward certification.

California Department of Education

Over the years Braille transcription has become a major focus of the program, with the California Department of Education authorizing FPVI to transcribe a substantial number of textbooks for blind 1st-8th grade students.

Community Colleges of California

FPVI is recognized as an excellent resource for alternate media and now depend on the program for closed captioning of the educational videos as well as Braille transcription. The California department of Rehabilitation has elected to employ accessibility assessments of the print documents and internet web pages.

CALPIA Braille Program

Incarcerated individuals who participate in CALPIA's program must complete certification through the Library of Congress and the National Braille Association. Close to 100 graduates have left the Braille program and only one has come back to prison.

In The News

folsomtimes.com-Folsom Prison braillist is first in the world to receive top award (pdf)

Download

Project at Folsom State Prison helps inmates (pdf)

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FPVI's Fellowship Program

You are invited to contribute to FPVI's Fellowship Program. This is a way to recognize all of the generous people and organizations that make us the success we are today. Receive a plaque for a donation of:

$500 Kay K. Fukushima plaque
$300 PDG Don Ring plaque
$150 Richard Merz plaque

PIP Kay K. Fukushima Fellowship Plaque

Past President of the International Association of Lions Clubs, Kay K. Fukushima held many positions within the association including club president of the Senator Lions Club, zone chairman, deputy district governor, district governor in 1978-1979 and vice chairman of MD-4.

PDG Don Ring Fellowship Plaque

PDG Don Ring, reigning district governor in 1989, was at the inception of FPVI and was our president since the beginning. He assisted us along the way for 37 years until his passing in 2026.