Organizations of/for the Visually Impaired

[Ms. Kathy]

[glow=red,2,300]American Council of the Blind [/glow]

National. 70 affiliates. Founded 1961.

Aims to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people and their families through education, support, and advocacy. National conference, information and referrals, phone support, state and special interest affiliates (e.g. guide dog users, blind lawyers, teachers and students, etc), monthly magazine (available in braille, half speed cassette, large print, diskette, and online or via e-mail). Scholarships. Online job bank. Chapter development guidelines.

WRITE:

American Council of the Blind

1155 15th St. NW, #1004

Washington, DC 20005

CALL: 1-800-424-8666

202-467-5081

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.acb.org

VERIFIED: 4/21/3003

[Ms. Kathy]

Autism Network for Hearing and Visually Impaired Persons

International network. Founded 1991.

Provides communication, education, research and advocacy for persons with autism combined with a hearing or visual disability, their families, and professionals. Sharing of educational materials, phone help, support groups, referrals and conferences.

WRITE:

Autism Network for Hearing and Visually Impaired Persons

7510 Ocean Front Ave.

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

CALL: 757-428-9036

FAX: [phone]

VERIFIED: 11/4/2003



Blinded Veterans Association

National. 52 regional groups. Founded 1945.

Information, support and outreach to blinded veterans. Help in job searches, information on benefits and rehabilitation programs. Bimonthly newsletter. Chapter development guidelines. Regional meetings.

WRITE:

BVA

477 H St. NW

Washington, DC 20001

CALL: 202-371-8880

1-800-669-7079

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.bva.org

VERIFIED: 7/1/2003



Council of Citizens with Low Vision International

International. (A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind) Founded 1978.

Encourages low vision people to make full use of vision through use of equipment, technology and services. Education and advocacy. Newsletter, information and referrals, group development guidelines, scholarships, and conferences. Dues $10/yr.

WRITE:

CCLVI

1859 N. Washington Ave., #2000

Clearwater, FL 33755-1862

CALL: 1-727-443-0350

1-800-733-2258

WEBSITE: www.cclvi.org

VERIFIED: 6/25/2003



The Foundation Fighting Blindness

National. 45 groups. Founded 1971.

Offers information and referral services for affected individuals and their families as well as doctors and eye care professionals. Provides comprehensive information kits on retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and Stargardt disease. Newsletter. Supports research into the causes, treatment and prevention of retinal degenerative diseases. National conferences.

WRITE:

Fdn. Fighting Blindness

Executive Plaza 1, Suite 800

11350 McCormick Rd.

Hunt Valley, MD 21031-1014

CALL: 1-888-665-9010

1-800-683-5555

410-785-1414

TDD: 1-800-683-5551

410-785-9687

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.blindness.org

VERIFIED: 3/17/2003



Lighthouse International

Resource.

Mission is to overcome vision impairment for people of all ages through rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy. Free literature on eye diseases (macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and more) and various resource lists (reading options, adaptive computer technology, financial aid, etc.) Referrals to support groups, low vision services, rehabilitation agencies, state agencies and advocacy groups. Free catalog of low vision aids.

WRITE:

Lighthouse Int'l

111 E. 59th St.

New York, NY 10022

CALL: 1-800-829-0500

1-212-821-9200

TDD: 212-821-9713

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.lighthouse.org

VERIFIED: 11/3/2003



National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

National. 16 groups. Founded 1980.

Outreach and support for parents of visually impaired children. Promotes formation of local parent support groups. Increases public awareness. Newsletters. Dues $25/family. Group development guidelines.

WRITE:

NAPVI, Inc.

P.O. Box 317

Watertown, MA 02471-0317

CALL: 1-800-562-6265

617-972-7444

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.spedex.com/napv

VERIFIED: 3/10/2003



National Association for Visually Handicapped

National. 7 groups. Founded 1954.

Support groups for partially-seeing persons. Newsletter, phone support, information and referrals. Guide to starting groups for elders losing sight. Free large print loan library by mail, optical library. Large print informational materials available in Russian and Spanish.

WRITE:

NAVH

Attn. C. Gomez, COO

22 W. 21st St., 6th floor

New York, NY 10010

CALL: 212-889-3141

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.navh.org

VERIFIED: 3/19/2003



National Federation of the Blind

National. 52 affiliates. Founded 1940.

Serves as both an advocacy and a public information vehicle. Contacts newly blind persons to help with adjustment. Provides information on services and applicable laws. Student scholarships. Assists blind persons who are victims of discrimination. Literature, monthly meetings and magazine. Assistance in starting new groups.

CALL: 410-659-9314

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.nfb.org

VERIFIED: 4/9/2003



National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

National. Founded 1983.

National. Founded 1983. Support for parents of blind children. Serves as both an advocacy and public information vehicle. Provides information on services available. Offers positive philosophy and insights to blindness and practical guidance in raising a blind child. Newsletter, parent seminars, free parents information packet, meetings, conventions. Dues $8.

WRITE:

NOPBC

Attn: Barbara Cheadle, Nat'l Fed. of the Blind

1800 Johnson St.

Baltimore, MD 01230

CALL: 410-659-9314

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.nfb.org

VERIFIED: 3/31/2003



Vision Community Services

National. 37 groups. Founded 1970. (Division of Massachusetts Assn. for the Blind)

Support network for persons coping with sight loss. Sponsors support groups for elders and mixed ages. Outreach services, phone support, community volunteers, Braille transcription, recording studio, large print literature and cassettes, newsletter. Assistive devices for a fee.

WRITE:

Vision Comm. Svcs.

23A Elm St.

Watertown, MA 02472

CALL: 617-926-4232

1-800-852-3029 (MA only)

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.mablind.org

VERIFIED: 3/18/2003



Vision Northwest

Regional Model. Founded 1983.

Mission is to reach out with compassion, encouragement and understanding to those coping with vision loss, their families and friends. Helps persons with vision loss to become more independent through a network of peer support groups and individual peer counseling. Information and referral, membership newsletter, community newsletter. Talking computer program, Loan-lending optical aids network.

WRITE:

Vision Northwest

9225 SW Hall Blvd., Suite G

Tigard, OR 97223

CALL: 503-684-8389

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.visionnw.com

VERIFIED: 11/3/2003



Leber's Congenital Amaurosis eGroup

Online.

Listserv for person who are interested sharing support and information relating to the genetic disorder Leber's congenital amaurosis.

WEBSITE: groups.yahoo.com/group/LCA

VERIFIED: 11/3/2003



National Keratoconus Foundation

National network. Founded 1986.

Provides information and support to persons with Keratoconus, an eye condition where the cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge. Newsletter, phone support, information and referrals. Online support group. Encourages research into cause and treatment.

WRITE:

NKCF

8733 Beverly Blvd., Suite 201

Los Angeles, CA 90048

CALL: 1-800-521-2524

FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: www.nkcf.org

VERIFIED: 11/3/2003



Aniridia Network

Online.

International Network that aims to bring people with aniridia (missing one or both irises) together for support. Provides practical information.

WRITE:

Aniridia Network

P.O. Box 6444

Colchester, CO4, 3XU, UK

WEBSITE: clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/aniridianetwork?s

VERIFIED: 11/3/2003






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