Everything you need to know about MCB membership — who can join, what it costs, what benefits you receive, and how to renew. Can't find your answer below? Contact MCB directly.
MCB membership is open to blind, visually impaired, and sighted Missourians who support MCB's mission. All are welcome — there are no vision requirements to join. Sighted family members, allies, and supporters of the blind community are encouraged to join alongside their blind and visually impaired neighbors.
Individual MCB membership is $20 per year. MCB also offers a life membership option for members who want to commit long-term — contact the MCB office for life membership rates. The membership year runs January 1 through December 31 annually.
Joining a local MCB affiliate gives you local community connection — regular chapter meetings, peer mentorship, and local events — plus full MCB and ACB membership automatically. Joining MCB directly (as a member-at-large) gives you all MCB and ACB program benefits without affiliation with a local chapter. Both paths are full MCB membership with identical program access and benefit rates.
Visit MCB's Local Affiliates page at moblind.org/about/affiliates/ to find a chapter near you. Each affiliate has its own contact information — reach out to them directly to learn about meeting schedules and how to join. If there is no chapter in your area, you can join MCB as a member-at-large.
MCB members receive significantly higher benefit rates across all eight assistance programs: 50% adaptive technology grants (vs. 25% for non-members), up to $2,000/year in educational scholarships (vs. $1,000), full Special Services benefit (vs. 50%), and access to the Health Benefits Program ($45/week for up to 10 weeks) which is available to members only. Members also receive ACB national membership, voting rights at MCB's annual convention, the Missouri Chronicle periodical, Community Connect access, and discounted convention registration. See moblind.org/membership/benefits/ for the full comparison.
Yes. Most MCB programs are available to all legally blind Missouri residents regardless of membership status, but members receive significantly higher benefit rates. Non-members receive 25% adaptive technology grants (members receive 50%), up to $1,000 in educational scholarships (members receive up to $2,000), and 50% of the Special Services benefit (members receive the full benefit). The Health Benefits Program is available to members only.
MCB membership runs January 1 through December 31 of each calendar year. All memberships expire on December 31 regardless of when during the year you joined or renewed. MCB encourages members to renew before December 31 to avoid any gap in benefit eligibility at the start of the new year.
You can renew your MCB membership by mailing a $20 check or money order payable to "Missouri Council of the Blind" to 5453 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63109, or by calling (314) 832-7172 or (800) 342-5632, or by emailing moblind@moblind.org. Online renewal via credit card is coming soon. See moblind.org/membership/renew/ for full renewal instructions.
Yes. All MCB members are automatically full members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) — the national advocacy organization representing blind Americans before Congress, federal agencies, and the courts. MCB is an ACB state affiliate, so your MCB membership rolls up to national ACB membership at no additional cost.
MCB primarily serves Missouri residents. If you live outside Missouri, ACB has state affiliates in every U.S. state and territory that you may wish to contact. If you have a connection to Missouri or a specific reason for joining MCB, please contact us at moblind@moblind.org or (314) 832-7172 to discuss your situation.
Benefits begin immediately upon membership approval, which is typically within 30 days of your application. If you need to use an MCB program right away and your membership is pending, contact the MCB office at (314) 832-7172 or moblind@moblind.org — staff can often expedite processing in urgent situations.
Contact MCB at moblind@moblind.org or (314) 832-7172 to update your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, or any other membership information. You can also include updated information when submitting your annual renewal.
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MCB membership is open to all Missourians. Join for $20/year and gain access to eight assistance programs, ACB national membership, community connection, and a voice in Missouri's blind advocacy community.