Elliot Zaretsky Honored by Long Island Council of the Blind for His Lifelong Dedication to Helping Blind and Visually Impaired People

FARMINGDALE, NY, May 06, 2013 (Press-News.org) Elliot Zaretsky, president and founder of MaxiAids Products for Independent Living was honored this week by the Long Island Council of the Blind for his extensive work helping people who are blind or who have low vision live more active, independent lives.

To mark the occasion, Mr. Zaretsky was presented with a plaque that recognizes his "commitment to ensuring the equality of rights, dignity and independence of people who are blind and/or have low vision... by his continued work and support for the population." In addition to printed engraving, the plaque was also imprinted in tactile Braille.

While accepting the honor, Mr. Zaretsky recalled that he was motivated to get into the independent living industry after he found out his son was deaf.

A pharmacist by profession, he was operating a successful chain of pharmacies at the time. Frustrated by the lack of products available to help his son, and at the expense of the few products he did find, he vowed to make a difference.

So, in 1986 Mr. Zaretsky started MaxiAids Products for Independent Living.

"My goal was to find and develop products to help people with special needs live more healthy, active and independent lives," he says. "And I was determined to keep the prices low so more of the people who really need these items could afford them."

After three decades in business, he has met his goals and expectations. MaxiAids has been at the forefront of the independent living industry and is responsible for many inventions and developments in the field. With over 8,000 items it has become the one-stop super-store for those with special needs, and its product catalog is considered by many to be the reference guide of the industry.

And beyond the products it supplies, the company also employs people with disabilities.

"I am proud of our dedicated staff, which includes blind, deaf and autistic people," noted Mr. Zaretsky. "And there are several deaf-blind individuals in our job training program who show an amazing determination to come to work."

He also expressed his satisfaction at the strong partnerships MaxiAids has established with non-profit organizations including Helen Keller National Center and Braille Institute, as well as numerous Lighthouses for the Blind and schools for the deaf across the country.

Lastly, Mr. Zaretsky reflected on his three decades at MaxiAids.

"Even after all of these years I still go to work every day with the same passion for serving those in the special needs community that I had at the start," he concluded. "And I am happy to say that I believe I am exactly where I was meant to be in life."

MaxiAids is a world-leading provider of products for independent living, supplying an extensive range of items designed to improve the lives of seniors, as well as the blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, diabetic and those with mobility challenges and other special needs. For more information, visit www.MaxiAids.com or call 1-800-522-6294.