When West Chester couple Eric and Jillian Hintz first learned their son Joey had low vision caused by congenital nystagmus, their world shifted, but so did their purpose. They saw firsthand how the right tools could change everything—how technology could help Joey not just adapt but thrive. Fueled by love and a fierce determination to clear a path for their son, the Hintzes turned their personal journey into a mission. They founded Vision Nonprofit to ensure other visually impaired students could succeed just like Joey: equipped, supported and truly empowered.
“I first noticed something was wrong with Joey when he was about three months old,” Jillian explains. “His eyes moved when I was feeding him, like a metronome.”
Because of other health challenges, including two open-heart surgeries, his symptoms were initially attributed to medication side effects. But Jillian trusted her gut. After consulting three doctors, Joey was diagnosed around his first birthday, and received his first pair of glasses.
“The brain can't tell the eyes to stay still,” Jillian shares, “so he can't pick up details.”
Like many kids with low vision, Joey began to adapt instinctively.
“At 18 months, he would stop at changes in floor texture—from tile to carpet—and feel both surfaces to check if they were level, so he could adjust,” she explains.
With early guidance from Cincinnati Children’s Low Vision Clinic and Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, they gathered learning tools Joey would need in school: a slant board, dome magnifier and monocular.
His school provided what it had, devices like a Chromebook and CCTV.
“CCTV is a big device that sits on the desk and enlarges assignments,” Eric says.
But the setup didn’t offer the same versatility or ease of use for Joey to keep up. That’s when the Hintzes turned to the 13-inch iPad Pro by recommendation of the Low Vision Clinic. Its built-in accessibility features combine everything Joey needs: camera, reading tool, magnifier, Bluetooth keyboard and text-to-speech, in a smaller, more portable version.
“He could zoom in, use high contrast filters and have books sent straight to it,” Eric says.
After paying out of pocket for the iPad, they saw Joey flourish, taking photos of the board, enlarging assignments and interacting more comfortably. That’s when they knew they had to help others get the same chance.
“Joey’s always been into tech,” Eric says, “and [we wanted] to use technology to his advantage.”
That desire sparked the creation of Vision Nonprofit. The organization provides iPads to children who are blind or have low vision, students who might otherwise be left behind by limited school budgets.
“We’ve estimated families can spend around $10,000,” Jillian notes. “We wanted to fill the gap, and pay it forward.”
Families are typically referred to Vision Nonprofit through Clovernook assessments. Once identified, they fill out an online form. Each child who receives an iPad also gets free accessibility training from Clovernook to ensure they can use every feature effectively.
The Hintzes have already seen the impact. One recipient, Sawyer, is a friend of Joey’s. Another, Masen, is a teen who simply needed an iPad upgrade to succeed in school.
“We’re not going to turn anyone down,” Eric adds, noting they recently helped two adult sisters with a genetic condition that will eventually lead to blindness.
“I’d love to continue this as a family legacy,” Jillian says. “When Joey gets older, this is something he can continue.”
Completely volunteer-led, Vision Nonprofit is funded by donations, grants and community partnerships with organizations like Paycor, Kroger and the Spartan Run. In the future, the Hintzes hope to expand their package to include screen protectors, iPad pencils, durable cases and Meta AI glasses. They also want to add an Android option.
Each device opens a world of access and confidence. Unlock the potential in local children with vision loss: link your Kroger Plus Card or donate online.