resources for the blind and visually impaired in
united states
overview
Here is a collection of national resources in various categories. Some organizations have state or regional affiliates, so you can find more information of the national website or go to your specific state's page . The same goes for all of the categories.
Agencies listed below are available for the public at large, regardless of where you live. Many may point you to a more local source, which in turn may give you better resources for your local needs.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
National Eye Institute
2020 Vision Place
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655
Searching for an eye doctor?
Here is a great article from the Atlantic Eye Institute of "Tips for Choosing on ophthalmologist"
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/finding-eye-doctor
National Eye Institute (Part of the CDC)
For more than 50 years, the National Eye Institute (NEI) has been on the front lines of vision research — and we continue to support cutting-edge research projects that investigate new ways to prevent, treat, or even reverse vision loss. We also work hard to help the public learn about vision problems and how to keep their eyes healthy.
2020 Vision Place
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655
LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library of Congress' National Library Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Along with your local libraries, there are great resources for accessing printed media. NLS is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical or perceptual disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Click here for more information and how to apply for BARD and BARD Mobile services Explore your local library's website to find out what free services are available. Most of the time, all you need is your library card sign up for services.
Mailing Address:
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20542-4962
Street Address:
1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20542
(202)707-5100 Toll-free: (800) 424-8567
American Printing House for the Blind
Since 1858, The American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and low vision.
Our mission is to empower people toward greater independence and lifelong success by providing free curated information and resources to assist children, parents, job seekers, and adults who are blind or low vision.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 402-0085
1-800-223-1839
(502) 895-2405
Choice Magazine Listening
85 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
1-888-724-6423
(516) 883-8280
www.choicemagazinelistening.org/
Learning Ally(Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
1-800-221-4792
(609) 520-8031
NONPROFIT & PRIVATE
medical
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 561-8500
American Journal of Ophthalmology
JAMA Ophthalmology
The professional magazine for American Medical Association.
www.jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology
other
American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
(301) 495-4403
(301) 495-4402—TTY
American Council for the Blind (National Headquarters)
The mission of the American Council for the Blind is "To increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. They have a large collection of resources and information covering advocacy and governmental affairs, music , outdoor and other activities, scholarships , news, community events , publications and much more. They have chapters in every state,
You can find your state or local chapter on their website.
Regional Offices:
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 660
Alexandria, VA 22314
202-467-5081 / 800-424-8666
Fax: 703-465-5085
6200 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 155
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-2132
612-332-3242 / 800-866-3242
Fax: 763-432-7562
1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311
(202)-467-5081
(800) 424-8666
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-342-2383
(703)549-1500
American Foundation for the Blind
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for Blind has spent nearly a century ensuring that individuals who are blind or visually impaired have access to the information, technology, education, and legal resources they need to live independent and productive lives. From our earliest days, we have amplified the voices of people with vision loss, and have been the engine of advancement and opportunity for every person affected by blindness or vision loss.
AFB is a powerful voice in Washington, DC on issues that affect the vision loss community. We make sure that policymakers hear and understand the perspective of blind and visually impaired people, and we advocate for legislation that will improve the lives of millions of Americans who are or will be affected by vision loss.
AFB Headquarter Office (You can find your state or local chapter on their website)
1101 Wilson Blvd, 6th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
212-502-7600
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
1-800-232-5463
(212) 502-7600
American Macular Degeneration Foundation
P.O. Box 515
Northampton, MA 01061-0515
(413) 268-7660
Blinded Veterans Association
477 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
1-800-669-7079
(202) 371-8880
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
1155 15th Street N.W., Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
1-800-733-2258
(727) 443-0350
Enhanced Vision- low vision resources
Low vision information and products.
(888)-811-3161
https://www.enhancedvision.com/
first aid for the blind
This organization was created to provide training of independent living skills for newly blinded or visually impaired individuals. “First Aid” is included in the name of the organization for a good reason. Experts all agree that the sooner an individual has a reason for hope, the better chance they have of fending off feelings of depression or anxiety regarding their new circumstance. Clients are encouraged to have a Training Buddy take the FAFTB lessons with them. The Training Buddy provides friendly support and comfort throughout the curriculum and can help the client practice skills or recall lessons after the training has been completed. If the Training Buddy happens to be a regular member of the client’s support network, that person will be better informed and feel more confident about their visually-impaired loved one living independently. The more knowledge that a client and his or her support network possess, the lower their levels of anxiety and depression.
Client payment is based on a sliding scale and is determined by their financial situation in conjunction with any available scholarship funds that have been made available through donations and grants.
Address: Westfield, Indiana
Phone: 317-909-0286
Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation funds innovative and cutting-edge research in promising areas such as genetics, gene and stem-cell therapies, retinal cell transplantation, and pharmaceutical and nutritional therapies. The Foundation’s funding often provides the critical bridge between discovery research, proof of concept, and corporate investment in clinical trials and commercialization.
The Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of the world’s leading retinal experts who provide insight on research and clinical advancements, and review research grant applications. The Foundation has more than 45 volunteer-led chapters across the U.S. These dedicated volunteers raise funds, increase public awareness, and provide support to their communities.
Their website provides a ton of information on eye diseases, clinical trials, research, and more. You can sign up to be considered for a trial via My Retina Tracker.
6925 Oakland Mills Road, #701, Columbia, MD 21045.
Glaucoma Research Foundation
251 Post Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94108
(800) 826-6693
(415) 986-3162
Guide Dogs for the Blind
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we have three core client programs:
Guide Dog Program: matching people with highly-trained guide dogs.
Orientation & Mobility Immersion Program: teaching orientation and mobility tactics for safe, independent travel, including the skills that are most relevant to guide dog mobility.
K9 Buddy Program: matching both children and adults with specially selected dogs to be their pets and companions.
We also have a lineup of informational events (both in person and virtual) for people interested in learning more about our programs and the guide dog lifestyle, as well as comprehensive programs for youth and young adults.
All of our services are provided free of charge, and we serve people from throughout the United States and Canada.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915
1-800-295-4050
P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
1-800-295-4050
Guide Dogs of America
Located on a beautiful 7.5-acre campus in Los Angeles, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines serves a diverse range of individuals from the U.S. and Canada. Their mission is to transform lives through partnerships with service dogs.
While many of us know the pleasure of our family pets, they relish the opportunity to facilitate a meaningful and productive relationship between their clients and their service dog. They are an Assistance Dogs International accredited organization. All of their dogs are trained to ADI standards for public access and service dog cues, and we follow ADI guidelines for placement of their dogs.
To make a donation or for general inquiries, call:
818-362-5834 or 800-459-4843
https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/
Hadley
Online services, workshops , podcast
Hadley's mission is "to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive - at home, at work, and in their communities." They have many free workshops, podcasts, and information to make your low vision life better. Everything from daily living , to technology , working , Braille , and recreation .
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
Helen Keller International
Their vision is "A world where no one is deprived of the opportunity to live a healthy life – and reach their true potential." They provide knowledgeable articles on a variety of subjects; nutrition, international resources, and prevention of blindness.
Regional Office:
180 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-4001
1-800-533-2873
(212) 785-9500
the Lighthouse for the blind
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918. In addition to providing employment opportunities, the Lighthouse offers a wide range of programs and services for employees who are blind and DeafBlind. Computer training classes, braille courses, our acclaimed DeafBlind Retreat, and DeafBlind Community Classes as well as a program to educate elementary school students about blindness are just a few of the employee and community services we offer.
2501 South Plum Street
Seattle, Washington 98144-4711
Lighthouse Main Switchboard
Voice: (206) 322-4200 or (800) 914-7307
Lions Low Vision Center of Eastern Connecticut
1-(866) 319-9733
Macular Degeneration Support
Macular Vision Research Foundation
300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 600
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2984
1-866-462-2852
National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)
NAVH is committed to ensuring that impaired vision does not result in impaired life. Our mission is to help the "Hard of Seeing" worldwide cope with the psychological effects of visual impairment and to provide low vision services, visual aids and training to anyone in need of these services.
22 West 21st Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
(212) 255-2804
National Federation for the Blind
The NFB provides a variety of programs and resources including training and education, advocacy and outreach, technology and products. legal programs, scholarships, braille certification, safety and support, employment and career mentoring, and so much more. They have affiliate chapters in every state so they offer very specialized services.
National Headquarters:
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone (410) 659-9314
New England Low Vision
New England Low Vision and Blindness is a full-service assistive technology rehabilitation training provider, offering nearly 100% of all major low vision and blindness products, and with two (2) assistive technology showroom centers. Our service is uniquely customized, where each assistive technology appointment is 2 HOURS in length and our personalized consultative technology approach optimizes which assistive technology tools and training solutions will best meet the need of each individual.
We help our clients expand their independence to live boldly through the use of the highest quality assistive technology and by working with our expert training team. At each of our assistive technology showrooms, we provide consumer-choice showcasing numerous technology options from the world's most respected suppliers, all in line with one's individualized budgetary limits and personal, educational or professional goals.
Technology Showroom & Training Center
799 West Boylston Street, Suite 140
Worcester, MA 01606
(888) 211-6933
Prevent Blindness America
Provides a vide variety of resources, education and other information about eye health, daily living,
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4557
1-800-331-2020
(847) 843-2020
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Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
44 Lafayette Rd
North Hampton, NH 03862Regional Representative: 516-242-0357
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Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Laurel, MD 20707
Regional Representative: 240-786-6534
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Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Virgin Islands
P.O. Box 380
Concord, GA 30206
Office: 516-393-7733Regional Representative: 321-282-6216
SCHOOLS & CAREER TRAINING
1Hadley School for the Blind
The Hadley School for the Blind offers more than 90 distance education courses to eligible students completely free of charge. From "Braille Literacy 1" to "Birdsong Tutor," you can select from a wide variety of Hadley courses. You can study in the comfort of your own home at a time convenient for you. Course materials arrive in the mail or online and for students in the U.S. and Canada, instructors are just a toll-free call away. For further information about the programs see Hadley Programs.
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
1-800-323-4238
(847) 446-8111
Email: info@hadley.edu