The Iris Network Opens Doors to Maine’s First Housing for Visually Impaired and Blind

 

Housing and living options for people who are visually impaired and blind have been transformed in Maine.  On March 27, 2006, tenants of the Iris Network’s former residential dormitory moved into15 newly-constructed,   independent apartments at the Iris Park Apartments, the second low-income housing complex in the United States  that is specifically designed for people who are visually impaired and blind.  Construction will continue through November 2006, when15 additional apartments will open.

 

Most of the current tenants had never had their own home before and were elated by the apartments and also the furnishings, purchased at Hub Furniture Company of  Portland, which donors generously provided.  Said Randy Bellevance, “There aren’t words enough to express my     gratitude.  I am in awe of the apartment and the furniture and how nice it all is.  Everything looks like it would in a normal apartment, not like it’s done for the blind.”

 

Randy added,  “You should have seen me on March 28,  the day after I moved in.  I went to my job at Whole Grocer.  I was in an extremely good mood.  My day went really well,  and all my coworkers wondered what was up with me. In the future, I’ll have more confidence in my daily life, and that will give me more confidence as I go out into the world. “

 

John Lee, president of the Residents’ Council, said, “I think that everyone in the building is very happy with the new situation.  I feel that with my apartment,  I will now become more independent. I am really looking forward to being a good host to people in my life—family and friends.  This pushes me to want to do more for others when I can.”   

 

John Lee welcomes guests to his apartment

 

Cynthia Lamberton, Chairperson of the Iris
Network’s Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Adam Zayan as the new President of the Iris Network.

 

Dr. Zayan comes to the Iris Network with a vast

array of experience working in blindness prevention and rehabilitation.  Prior to his arrival at the Iris Network, Dr. Zayan was Senior Vice President of Programs and Medical Director for eight years at ORBIS International.  ORBIS International is a nonprofit organization based in New York that seeks to eliminate avoidable blindness and restore sight to people in developing countries. 

 

Dr. Zayan holds a Masters degree in Public Health, from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Doctorate  in Medicine from the University of Alexandria, Egypt.

 

“As we begin our second century of service, we

feel that Dr. Zayan will bring new ideas and

be able to maintain and broaden the services for which we are already well-known,” says Pat Hart, Board Member and Chair of the Search Committee for the new President.

 

Dr. Zayan fills the spot of President left vacant by Steven Obremski, who served at the Iris Network for 10 years.  Mr. Obremski has since relocated to Asheville, NC, to pursue other nonprofit interests.  Dr. Zayan started on June 5, 2006 and is relocating from Connecticut with his wife and three children.

 

Central location and easy access to transportation, opportunities, and services are key assets that will advance the support and self-determined level of independence of each tenant.  Based on a 2003 market study, those who will become tenants in Fall 2006 are likely to come from outside Portland, where access to services and opportunities is much more limited.

 

     The Iris Park Apartments will stand as a symbol  of Maine’s commitment to those who are visually impaired and blind. Yet the larger purpose of the residence is to create a dignified space that allows people to work together to transcend boundaries and expand the shared sense of human possibilities. In this sense, the Iris Park Apartments is for everyone.

 

< Back