Vision Resources - Organizations
National Organizations | New York State Organizations
National Organizations
American
Council of the Blind
Consumer information and referral on all aspects of blindness, public education and awareness training.
American
Foundation for the Blind
Provides education, consultation, and technical assistance on all aspects of blindness, focusing on such areas as literacy, aging, employment,
and technology. AFB Press publishes a wide variety of professional,
reference, and consumer videos as well as textbooks and journals.
American
Printing House for the Blind
APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired
students below college level in the U.S. and its territories. The Advisory
Services Division is available to provide informational, consultative, and
administrative services in support of the Federal Quota System. Personnel
are available to conduct training sessions, presentations, and workshops.
APH produces materials on demand in Braille, cassette tape, and large print.
Association
for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Professional membership organization whose mission is to develop and promote
professional excellence through support of those who provide services to
people with visual impairment. State, regional, and national chapters coordinate
seminars, workshops, and conferences.
Council
for Exceptional Children
National professional organization whose mission is to improve educational
outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities.
Council
of Schools for the Blind
Organization of schools for blind and visually impaired children in the
United States and Canada. COSB serves as an information clearinghouse and
advocate for areas of interest relating to specialized residential schools
for the blind and visually impaired children.
Family Connect
An online, multimedia community for parents and guardians of children with visual impairments
sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National
Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI).
Hadley
School for the Blind
National organization that provides legally blind or blind persons with
academic, personal enrichment, and compensatory education and technical
education through free home study courses, including Braille reading and
writing. Offers a program for professional and paraprofessionals in the
blindness field.
Mississippi
State University: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness
and Low Vision
Federally funded research and training center based at Mississippi State
University. The Center conducts research, disseminates information including
research monographs, and provides education and training.
National
Federation of the Blind
National consumer organization provides a comprehensive range of consultation,
technical assistance, and education. Publications include the Braille Monitor,
Future Reflections (for parents of blind children), and Voice of the Diabetic.
NFB has affiliates in all states.
National
Industries for the Blind
The NIB mission to enhance opportunities for employment and independence
for persons who are blind is implemented through the 85 associated agencies
employing over 500 people. NIB works closely with the member agencies to
secure and administer contracts.
Recordings
for the Blind and Dyslexic
Recordings for the Blind maintains a lending educational library with over
80,000 taped textbooks, reference and professional materials. These materials
are available to individuals who cannot effectively read standard print.
Please contact Recordings for the Blind for information on registering and
any fees.
United
States Association for Blind Athletes
USABA offers training camps and competitions through the national office
and representatives in each state. Established in 1976, the mission is to
provide sports and recreation opportunities for people who are blind or
visually impaired.
New York Organizations and Resources
Baruch
College Computer Center for Visually Impaired People
The Computer Center based at Baruch College of the City University of New
York provides computer training, technical assistance, and education for
people with severe visual impairment.
Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service
Telephone 718-875-0710
Services for people who are visually impaired as well as people with other
disabilities include counseling, social work, self-help, employment, health,
and rehabilitation.
Catholic Charities: Office for Disabled Persons
Telephone 718-722-6000
Catholic Charities Service for Visually Impaired Persons
Telephone 631-789-5213
Services for visually impaired person living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
on Long Island include counseling, social work, information and referral,
outreach, recreation, and rehabilitation. Training is provided in the client’s
home and community.
Catholic Guild for the Blind
212-371-1000
Established in 1953, the Catholic Guild provides low vision, health, and
rehabilitation services. The Guild services focus on coping with the problems
of everyday living with vision impairment and growing towards independence.
Dominican
College
The graduate education Program for Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired
(telephone 845-359-3577) offers a Master of Science degree. Students attend
on a full-time and part-time basis with classes both on-campus and through
distance learning. Please contact the college for admission requirements
and applications. The college is located in Rockland County, New York.
Helen
Keller Services for the Blind
HKSB operates offices and provides comprehensive rehabilitation services
(including low vision) in Brooklyn and on Long Island in Hempstead and Huntington.
The agency operates day centers for legally blind seniors in these locations.
In addition, HKSB operates a day treatment center for developmentally disabled
visually impaired adults in Hempstead and a summer camp for blind children
on Long Island. The Braille library produces and distributes materials in
Braille and large print for students on Long Island and in New York City.
The children’s preschool and parent center are located in downtown
Brooklyn.
Hunter
College of the City University of New York
Hunter College offers a graduate program for teachers of students who are
blind or visually impaired and teachers of students who have severe/multiple
impairments; rehabilitation teachers; and orientation and mobility instructors.
Please telephone 212-772-4740 for information on admissions, class schedules,
grants, and applications.
Jewish
Guild for the Blind
JGB is a comprehensive rehabilitation and education agency based in New
York City with affiliated Guildcare (for medically fragile seniors) programs
based in other agencies throughout New York State and in New England. The
Guild School, Preschool, and Early Intervention programs are based in the
15 West 65th Street location. The Jewish Guild operates the Home for the
Aged Blind in Yonkers and Joslow House/Residence for developmentally disabled/visually-impaired
adults in New York City. Please visit the web site for more detailed information.
Lighthouse
International
LHI provides a wide range of education, rehabilitation, research, and advocacy
services. Vision rehabilitation services are available in the New York City
Metropolitan area including Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. Services
are provided on-site as well as in client’s homes and communities.
LHI operates early intervention and preschool programs for children. Low
vision services are available in several locations. The Arlene R. Gordon
Research Institute conducts vision research. The Lighthouse Center for Education
provides continuing education programs for professionals both nationally
and internationally. Products for independent living can be found in the
Lighthouse Consumer Catalog. Please visit the web site for more detailed
information.
New
York City Industries for the Blind
NYCIB is an affiliate of National Industries for the Blind. NYCIB, located
in Brooklyn, provides employment and vocational training opportunities for
legally blind men and women. Training is provided in manufacturing, office,
and service positions.
New York City Public Schools, District 75: Educational Vision Services
(Telephone 917-256-4259)
Education Vision Services, provided in the New York City Public Schools,
are designed for students who, because of vision impairment, learn with
the use of assistive materials and adaptive approaches. Assessments, computer
training, literacy services, counseling, after-school work programs, parent
assistance, and professional training are available.
New
York Institute for Special Education
Founded in 1831, the New York Institute provides quality education, training,
rehabilitation, and other related services in a multi-school facility for
children, ages birth to 21 years of age. Handicapping conditions include
blindness or visual impairment, emotional disturbance or learning disabilities.
The school offers both day and residential programs for visually impaired
students ages 5-21. Please visit the school’s web page for more comprehensive
information.
New
York Public Library: Andrew Heiskell Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
The library provides talking books, talking book machines, large-print books,
audiocassettes, and Braille books for blind and physically handicapped persons.
The library serves individuals in the New York City and on Long Island.
New York State Education Department:
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)
(ACCES-VR offers access to a full range of employment and independent living services that may be needed by persons with disabilities through their lives. Through its administration of vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs, VR coordinates policy and services related to transition, vocation rehabilitiation, independent living services, and business services.Special Education Services
The Office of Special Education provides assistance to parents, advocacy groups, and schools related to services and programs for students with disabilities. Staff work together across various units to provide the most up to date policy and guidance, technical assistance, professional development, and monitoring to attain equal opportunities and positive results for students with disabilities across New York State.
New
York State Office of Children and Family Services: Commission for the
Blind and Visually Handicapped
Telephone for New York City Office 212-825-5710
Telephone for Long Island Office 516-564-4311
Telephone for White Plains Office 914-993-5371
CBVH enhances employability, maximizes independence, and assists in the
development of capacities and strengths of person who are legally blind
in New York State. In addition to vocational rehabilitation counselors,
children’s consultants and transition specialists are based in each
office. These consultants and specialists work closely with children and
their families to provide supplemental services (including specialized summer
programs and community work experiences), transition planning, short-term
rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility. Please call the local
office to get more specific information on services.
New York State Talking Book and Braille Library
The Library provides recorded and Braille books and playback equipment to
all eligible upstate New Yorkers who are physically and visually handicapped.
New York Vision Rehabilitation
Association - NYVRA
NYVRA is a non-profit coalition
comprised of members, organizations and agencies located across New York State,
addressing issues that impact services for people who are blind or partially
sighted. NYVRA offers public awareness education regarding the abilities
and needs of people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired as well
as the professionals who serve them.
State
University of New York: College of Optometry, Low Vision Service
SUNY College of Optometry conducts complete optometric and ophthalmologic
evaluations, low vision assessments, head trauma assessments, visual assessments
for infants, and special needs assessments. Optical devices and low vision
devices are for sale on site. The College of Optometry conducts clinical
research and provides professional training.
VISIONS
- Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
VISIONS provides a comprehensive range of vision rehabilitation services
for people who are blind and visually impaired of all ages living in the
New York City metropolitan area. Rehabilitation training in daily living
skills and mobility are provided in the home. Specialized transition work
programs after school and in the summer are offered for teenagers. VISIONS
provides group programs and social services in 42 neighborhood senior center
to promote integration of elders who are visually impaired. VISION operates
the Vacation Camp for the Blind in Rockland County. This camp offers summer
sessions and special winter weekends
with a full range of recreation and social activities. VISION also operates
rehabilitation, social services, training, and recreation programs at Selis
Manor on 23rd Street in New York City. Please contact the web site for more
detailed information.