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National Resources
These selected resources may help individuals with visual impairments. This list provides examples of national resources. For California organizations, please see the AT Services Directory. We welcome suggestions for additions. Please send an email to info@atnet.org.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 561-8500
Provides brochures on low vision and other eye problems.
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street, N.W., Suite1004
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 424-8666 (202) 467-5081
info@acb.org
Offers a wide variety of services to visually impaired persons with emphasis on employment opportunities. Publishes the Braille Forum.
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
1-800-232-5463
(212) 502-7600
afbinfo@afb.org
Offers consultation services to eye care, rehabilitation, and education professionals. Serves as a national clearinghouse for information about blindness and visual impairment. Provides referrals to low vision centers. Maintains regional offices throughout the country. California Regional Office: (415) 392-4845 - San Francisco, CA
American Macular Degeneration Foundation
P.O. Box 515
Northampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515
Phone: (413) 268-7660
The American Macular Degeneration Foundation works for the prevention, treatment and cure of macular degeneration through raising funds, educating the public, and supporting research.
American Optometric Association
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-4100
AmOptNEWS@aol.com
Provides brochures on low vision and other eye problems.
Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
1703 N. Beauregard Ste. 440
Alexandria, VA 223111
(703) 671-4500
1 (877) 492-2708
aernet@laser.net
Includes educators, rehabilitators, administrators, parents, and houseparents of blind children; agencies, schools, and other interested in the education, guidance, vocational rehabilitation, or occupational placement of the blind and partially-sighted. Cooperates with colleges and universities in conferences and workshops. Presents awards, conducts certification programs, and maintains job exchange services and speakers' bureau.
Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.
210 East 64th Street
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 605-3719
The Association for Macular Disease, Inc. is an entirely volunteer, not-for-profit corporation. They are a national support group, solely concerned with the problems of individuals and families who are endeavoring to cope with both the practical and emotional problems brought about by macular degeneration.
Association of Blind Citizens
P.O. Box 242 Holbrook, MA 02343
(781) 961-1023
The Association of Blind Citizens has established the Assisitive Technology Fund (ATF). It will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software.
Blinded Veterans Association
477 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 1-800-669-7079
(202) 371-8880
Center for the Partially Sighted
12301 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310-458-3501
Fax: 310-458-8179
info@low-vision.org
The Center for the Partially Sighted helps visually impaired people of all ages enhance remaining sight in order to function independently. This is the exclusive mission of The Center for the Partially Sighted, a non-profit agency.
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
1-800-733-2258
Serves as an advocacy group for the visually impaired. Provides information on low vision technology. Offers scholarship. Publishes the CCLV News.
Enhanced Vision Systems
2130 Main Street Suite 250
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
1-800-440-9476
Enhanced Vision is the leading developer of innovative products designed specifically for people who are legally blind and have macular degeneration and other low vision conditions. We have helped thousands of people regain their visual independence by providing the ability to read, write, watch TV, enjoy a play and live again.
Foundation Fighting Blindness
Executive Plaza I, Suite 800
11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031-1014
Toll Free: (888) 394-3937
www.blindness.org
The mission of The Foundation Fighting Blindness is to fund the research that will discover the causes, treatments, preventive methods and cures for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Local support groups and free information are available.
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 431-1481
TTY: (415) 431-4572
Fax: (415) 863-7568
www.lighthouse-sf.org
Offers a wide range of services, including assistive technology training.
Lighthouse International
The Sol and Lillian Goldman Building
111 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
Tel (212) 821-9200 / (800) 829-0500
Fax (212) 821-9707
TTY (212) 821-9713
www.lighthouse.org
info@lighthouse.org
Serves as a national clearinghouse for information on vision impairment across the life span and services available nationwide. Offers a comprehensive selection of education products, large print materials, talking products, and related specialty items for people with visual impairments. Adaptive devices are available through catalog sales.
Low Vision Council
111 E. 59th Street, 12th Floor New York, NY 10022-1202
(212) 821-9790
Works to raise awareness of low vision rehabilitation among eye care providers, as well as visually impaired consumers and their caregivers.
National Association for the Visually Handicapped
22 W. 21st Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
Serves as a clearinghouse for information about all services available to the partially sighted from public and private sources. Conducts self-help groups. Provides information on large print books, textbooks, and educational tools.
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, Inc.
P.O. Box 317 Watertown, MA 02471
1-800-562-6265
(617) 972-7441
Offers emotional support for parents of blind or visually impaired children. Provides information, training and assistance, and help in understanding and using available resources. Publishes Awareness, a quarterly newsletter.
National Center for the Blind
1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
National Federation for the Blind
1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314
1-800-638-7518 - Job Opportunities
Provides a wide variety of services to people with visual impairments. Publishes the Braille Monitor and Future Reflections. Distributes a catalog of publications available in large print, Braille, or audiocassette, and a catalog of aids and appliances.
Resources for Rehabilitation
22 Bonad Road Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 368-9094
VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor New York, New York 10013-1354
1-888-245-8333
(212) 625-1616
Info@visionsvcb.org
Primarily offers vision rehabilitation and helps individuals accommodate to their vision loss. They also offer free services to anyone over age 55 with vision problems. Services include self-help study kits, counseling, professional support systems, consumer workshops, and an information center.
