More Resources About Blindness and Visual Impairment
Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, US Code, Title 20, Chapter 6
Much of APH’s mandate is derived from the federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind of 1879. This act designates APH as the official supplier of educational materials to all eligible blind students in the United States working at less than college level.
American Action Fund (AAF) for Blind Children and Adults
Baltimore, MD
410-659-9315
actionfund@actionfund.org
A service agency that specializes in providing to blind people help that is not readily available to them. The Tarzana office houses a postage-free national lending library of braille and Twin Vision(R) books for blind children. They also publish and distribute a braille weekly newspaper and calendars.
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
Arlington, VA
800-424-8666
info@acb.org
National consumer organization with local, state, and special interest affiliates; providing support, information, referral, and advocacy.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
New York, NY
800-232-5463
afbinfo@afb.net
Provides comprehensive information on every aspect of blindness and visual impairment and a searchable database of nationwide services.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH)
Louisville, KY
800-223-1839
info@aph.org
Shopping site
World’s largest company devoted solely to researching, developing, and manufacturing products for people who are blind and visually impaired. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States.
Association for Education and Rehabilitation (AER) of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Alexandria, VA
703-671-4500
A professional organization offering continuing education opportunities, publications, a Listserv, job postings, etc.
Alamogordo, NM
Babies Count is a national registry of young children aged birth to 36 months of age with visual impairments that works in conjunction with public and private agencies to collect standardized epidemiological and demographic data regarding children, their visual conditions, and the systems created to support them and their families.
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
Alexandria, VA
800-669-7079
bva@bva.org
An organization of blinded veterans helping blinded veterans. All legally blinded veterans are eligible for BVA’s assistance whether they become blind during or after active duty military service.
Palo Alto, CA
650-352-0198
info@bookshare.org
An initiative of Benetech®, a nonprofit organization, a person with print disabilities can read a newspaper the same day it hits the newsstand or a best-selling book online as soon as it is released.
San Jose, CA
408-808-2613
info@booksaloud.net
The Books Aloud "Reading by Listening" Program provides a wide variety of recorded reading literature to eligible individuals of all ages. This is a FREE service.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Toronto, ON
1-800-563-2642
CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure blind and partially sighted Canadians have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.
DB-LINK: National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
Monmouth, OR
503-838-8754
info@nationaldb.org
Identifies, coordinates, and disseminates free information related to children and youths who are deafblind (0-21 years).
Salem, OR
800-860-4224
info@blindskills.com
Each quarterly issue of DIALOGUE Magazine, from the non-profit Blinds Skills, Inc., contains a wide range of subject matter and comes in four formats: cassette, 18-point print, braille and on computer e-mail.
familyconnect@afb.net
FamilyConnect is an online, multimedia community created by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI). This site gives parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and link to local resources.
Winnetka, IL
800-323-4238
info@hadley.edu
Provides academic, personal enrichment, and compensatory, or rehabilitation education through free home study courses for parents, family members, professionals, and paraprofessionals.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC)
Sands Point, NY
516-944-8900
hkncinfo@hknc.org
The Center is a national vocational and rehabilitation program exclusively serving youths and adults who are deaf-blind. Their mission is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in the community of their choice.
Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic)
Princeton, NJ
800-221-4792
custserv@LearningAlly.org
Founded in 1948 as Recording for the Blind, Learning Ally creates and maintains over 80,000 audio recordings of textbooks, reference, and professional materials that are not available on tape or disc from other sources. There is a registration fee for this service.
Library of Congress National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Washington, DC
202-707-5100
nls@loc.gov
A Library network that provides free braille and recorded materials to individuals unable to read standard printed material. The Braille Development Section of NLS also offers a program of courses leading to certification as a braille transcriber or proofreader.
New York, NY
800-829-0500
info@lighthouseguild.org
A worldwide organization dedicated to preserving vision and to helping people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Provides vision rehabilitation services, and partners with organizations to ensure that all individuals suffering vision loss have access to the services they require.
Oak Brook, IL
630-571-5466
By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward their mission of providing vision for all. They have extended their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts and through their international SightFirst Program, which works to eradicate blindness.
Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind
New York, NY
212-242-0263
editor@matildaziegler.com
Editors at the Ziegler magazine scan four national newspapers a day and over 30 magazines a month selecting a broad selection of articles to be reprinted in the Ziegler. The magazine is free-of-charge to legally blind subscribers and is published in a variety of formats including: contracted braille, four track cassette, on-line and by e-mail.
National Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
New York, NY
800-562-6265
napvi@lighthouseguild.org
An association that operates a national clearinghouse for information, education, and referrals for parents of blind and visually impaired children.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
Washington, DC
202-872-0888
Manages Elder Care Locator, (800-677-1116) a free telephone service with information for seniors about health and social service resources in their community.
Rochester, NY
585-427-8260
National Braille Association (NBA) is the only national organization solely dedicated to the professional development of individuals who prepare and produce braille materials.
Boston, MA
888-965-8965
contact@nbp.org
The National Braille Press focuses on practical information to enable persons who are blind and visually impaired to be responsible and productive individuals. Categories include children’s braille literacy, computer access, and self-help books.
National Camps for Blind Children—Christian Record Services
Lincoln, NE
402-488-0981
info@christianrecord.org
An international organization serving blind and visually impaired individuals in approximately 80 countries worldwide that operates summer camps throughout North America for children and adults who are blind and visually impaired.
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Baltimore, MD
410-659-9314
pmaurer@nfb.org
National consumer organization, with local and state chapters and special-interest divisions that provide information, advocacy, and employment programs.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
Baltimore, MD
410-659-9314
parentoutreach@nfb.org
(part of National Federation of the Blind/click on Info about Vision Loss for Parents and Teachers)
Focuses on the needs of parents and families. Find resources to help children thrive at home, school, and in the community.
National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH)
East Hampstead, NH
800-473-2310
info@albinism.org
A volunteer organization for persons or families involved with the condition of albinism. Offers informational bulletins and newsletters to promote public awareness.
National Prison Braille Network
Supports and promotes braille production facilities in prisons across the U.S. and helps ensure that inmate transcribers are well prepared for successful careers as braille transcribers upon release.
New York Institute for Special Education
Bronx, NY
718-519-7000
Provides programs for children who are blind or visually disabled. Maintains Blindness Resource Center on their website.
Columbus, OH
888-723-8737
Newsreel Magazine by and for the Blind is a unique monthly interactive audio magazine produced in the voices of its blind or visually impaired subscribers.
Watertown, MA
617-924-3434
info@perkins.org
Conducts training activities for programs and staff serving children who are multiply disabled with blindness or deafblind and provides support services for parents.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
Livonia, MI
800-777-8552
info@seedlings.org
Seedlings Braille Books for Children provides high quality, low cost braille books for children at every level of development, from toddler board books to classic literature for older children.
Austin, TX
800-872-5273
Provides an extensive resources list for parents and professionals.
U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
Colorado Springs, CO
719-866-3224
This Association enhances the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity. Offers training camps and competitions in swimming, track and field, wrestling, gymnastics, goal ball, skiing, skating, power lifting, judo, and tandem cycling.
U.S. Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Washington, DC
202-245-7468
OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. It provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts, and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
Watertown, MA
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WonderBaby.org, a project funded by Perkins School for the Blind, is dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities. Here you’ll find a database of articles written by parents who want to share with others what they’ve learned about playing with and teaching a blind child, as well as links to meaningful resources and ways to connect with other families.
