About Us
iChallenged, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)-3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of those legally blind or visually impaired. Founded in 2010, iChallenged, Inc. actually has a history that began decades before its formation.
iChallenged's roots started at the "Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit" (OICD) which was founded in Michigan in 1968. The OICD was a central eye care clinic for the Detroit area for the uninsured for almost 5 decades.
In 2003 Doctor Bernard Miller started a rehab training program for OICD patients that presented as, or became legally blind. He donated equipment and a room that established an assistive technology computer training facility. He also hired an assistive technology teacher, John Whitacre, for the new venture.
OICD referred its blind patients to the "Michigan Commission for the Blind" (currently called The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP). In 2011 OICD had to close
because of a lack of continued support by the United Way (due to a change in their objectives). In 2010 and 2011, Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit (OICD) struggled financially with the reduced funding. It was decided to create a new entity to directly take up the full OICD training workload so a partnership would no longer be required. In 2010 iChallenged was formed for that purpose and assumed taking over all instructional services from OICD. In October of 2011, iChallenged, Inc was approved as a 501 (c)-3 non-profit.
2010 iChallenged Founders
John Whitacre - Bernard Miller
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