1865 Broadway
New York, NY 10023-7505
212-408-1200
212-408-1512 (Fax)
www.americanbible.org
E-mail: info@americanbible.org

Provides the Bible in braille, large print, and cassette, in English and Spanish. Call for ordering and price information.

American Foundation for the Blind
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
800-232-5463 (800-AFB-LINE)
212-502-7600
888-545-8331 (Fax)
E-mail: afbinfo@afb.net

AFB Center on Vision Loss
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
214-352-7222
E-mail: dallas@afb.net

AFB TECH
949 3rd Avenue, Suite 200
Huntington, WV 25701
304-523-8651
E-mail: AFBTECH@afb.net

Find Technology Information

AFB TECH publishes AccessWorld®: Technology and People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, AFB's acclaimed online technology magazine. AccessWorld® provides objective information, informed commentary, and cutting-edge news and trends about information technology and visual impairment. Find more information in the Technology section of the AFB web site.

Find Information for Older Adults

The AFB Center on Vision Loss publishes Senior Site®, an online resource center that connects seniors, family members, and caregivers to local services and showcases a wide range of assistive living products available to people with vision loss.

Find Services and Support Groups

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) provides a "Where Can I Find…" database of services in the United States and Canada. The database includes extensive resources, including computer training, rehabilitation services, volunteer services, employment and job training, support groups, and many other helpful areas.

In addition, the American Foundation for the Blind

• Provides services to, and acts as an information clearinghouse for, people who are blind or visually impaired and their families, professionals, organizations, schools, and corporations
• Stimulates research and mounts program initiatives to improve services to blind or visually impaired people
• Publishes a wide variety of professional, reference, and consumer books and videos in the AFB Bookstore

c/o Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
371 East Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
866-VETDOGS (866-838-3647)
www.vetdogs.org
E-mail: info@vetdogs.org

America’s VetDogs provides assistance dogs for disabled U.S. veterans of all eras and active duty military personnel: guide dogs for veterans who are blind, service dogs for those with disabilities other than blindness, physical therapy dogs to work with amputees in military and VA hospitals, and combat stress relief dogs that are deployed oversees with combat stress control teams as they help soldiers deal with combat and homefront issues, and sleep disorders.

Art Beyond Sight
589 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012
212-334-8720
www.artbeyondsight.org
E-mail: Coordinator@ArtBeyondSight.org

Art Beyond Sight is a one-stop resource for bringing art and culture to people with visual impairments. Programs and services include:

• Discussion groups
• Listservs
• Web-based art courses
• Disability awareness training
• Museum Handbook
• Teacher resource center

422 South Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-1198
585-232-1111
585-232-1698 (TTY)
www.abvi-goodwill.org
E-mail: info@abvi-goodwill.com

ABVI-Goodwill is the only not-for-profit agency in the Greater Rochester Area that provides a full range of vision rehabilitation and employment and training services to people who are blind or visually impaired. Programs and services include:

• Support Services
• Counseling Services
• Low Vision Services
• Rehabilitation Teaching/Adaptive Skills Training
• Orientation and Mobility Services
• Consumer Shoppe
• Multimedia Center
• Children's Services
• Career and Training
• Project Eye Care
• Reachout Radio
• Informational Resources

Rockland County office:
260 Old Nyack Turnpike
Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-574-4950
845-574-4944 (Fax)

Orange County office:
130 Dolson Avenue, Suite 3A
Middletown, NY 10940
845-355-6119
845-574-4944 (Fax)
www.avi-eyes.org  
E-mail: avi@avi-eyes.org

The Association for the Visually Impaired, Inc. (AVI) is a private, non-profit organization, founded in 1973, that serves blind and severely visually impaired residents of Rockland and Orange Counties in New York. Services are provided on a one-to-one basis in consumers' homes and communities. Our goal is to enable our consumers to function independently and to maximize their potential.

Programs and services include:

• Orientation and Mobility
• Rehabilitation Teaching (Personal Management, Home Management, and Communication Skills)
• Social Work Services
• Educational/Support Groups
• The Technology Resource Center
• Volunteer Services
• Community Outreach Education

174 Court Street
Binghamton, NY 13901-3514
607-724-2428
607-771-8045 (Fax)
www.avreus.org  
E-mail: avreinfo@avreus.org  

The Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (A.V.R.E.) is a private, non-profit organization that serves people with vision disabilities. People of all ages, from infants to elders, can and do benefit from our services. We offer a range of learning, living, and working options for people who have a vision disability.

A.V.R.E. works with individuals who live in the New York counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins, as well as the Pennsylvania counties of Bradford, Susquehanna, and Tioga.

Programs and services include:

• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Services
• Low Vision Services
• Orientation and Mobility
• ACCESS-Tech Center
• Counseling Services
• Adaptive Aids and Devices
• Infants and Children Services
• Employment and Career Services
• Senior Vision Services
• Support Groups

518 James Street, Suite 100
Syracuse, NY 13203
315-422-7263
315-422-4792 (Fax)
315-422-9746 (TTY/TDD)
www.auroraofcny.org  
E-mail: auroracny@auroraofcny.org

AURORA is the only Upstate New York-area non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting independence and opportunity for individuals who are experiencing a sensory loss. To that end, a full range of rehabilitative and support services are provided by professional and competent staff members who are specialists in their field.

The following services are tailored to meet the unique needs, dignity, and privacy of each individual:

• Hard of Hearing and Deaf Services 
• Blind Services
• Deaf-Blind Services

Find New York State Services

Blindline hosts a searchable database of New York State services.

Blindline is a fully accessible web site created by VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind. Blindline's mission is to provide direct access to a New York statewide database of organizations and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, their family members, counselors, and other professionals. The site is comprehensive and is regularly updated.

Blindline also provides links to additional New York state resources, including assistive products, audio-described movies, low vision services, employment and job training, and housing services.

2 North William Street
Pearl River, NY 10965
800-228-7798 (Toll free)
845-735-7907
www.lvpshop.com

Assistive technology products for the blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled, including CCTVs, video magnifiers, digital book players, reading machines, screen reading software, GPS, voice recognition, and braille printers.

Catholic Guild for the Blind
1011 First Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-371-1000
212-826-8377 (Fax)
www.archny.org
E-mail: TSnyder@archny.org

Catholic Guild for the Blind offers rehabilitation and education services to legally blind adults residing in New York City. Programs and services include:

• Orientation and mobility
• Personal and home management
• Adaptive communication skills
• Social services
• Insulin device training
• Referrals for low vision services
• Spirituality and volunteer programs

147 Schleigel Boulevard
Amityville, NY 11701
631-789-5218 (Phone/TTY)
www.catholiccharities.cc/ourservices/disabilities.html
E-mail: question@catholiccharities.cc

The Office For Persons With Disabilities (OPD) encourages clients to attain their highest possible level of independent, socially integrated, and productive living.

Programs and services for blind and visually impaired persons include:

• Orientation and mobility instruction enables clients to function independently and safely in their neighborhoods, work places, other daily environments, and to use public transportation. 
• Rehabilitation training helps newly disabled people acquire communication and daily living skills like braille, telecommunications, cooking, home management, and handling money. 
• Counseling enables clients to adjust to their vision loss. 
• Visually impaired adults in Nassau County can share in weekly recreational, educational, and interfaith programs at the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Club. Transportation and a hot lunch are provided.

34 North Fourth Street
Allegany, NY 14760
716-372-6283
716-373-6326 (Fax)
www.interfaithcaregiversinc.org
E-mail: megantaylor@interfaithcaregiversinc.org

Services include:

• Low Vision Center/Clinic
• In-Home Services: Telephone reassurance, respite, friendly visits, and services such as minor home repairs, lawn mowing, and shoveling snow for seniors
• Transportation services for seniors

50 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10004
917-305-7700 (Voice)
917-305-7999 (TTY)
917-305-7888 (Fax)
866-954-2681 (VRS)
www.chchearing.org
Contact information

2900 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 3
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-601-1930 (Voice)
954-601-1338 (TTY)
954-601-1399 (Fax)
866-954-2681 (VRS)
www.chchearing.org
Contact information

The nonprofit Center for Hearing and Communication works to improve the quality of life for people with all degrees of hearing loss and to offer comprehensive services regardless of age or mode of communication.

State-of-the-art services include hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting and dispensing, speech-language and auditory evaluation and therapy, otology, cochlear implant evaluation and training, assistive listening devices and FM system counseling, tinnitus and hyperacusis therapy, and evaluation/treatment of children with auditory processing disorder (APD) and other listening challenges.

The Center holds quarterly cochlear implant support group, weekly group assistive device demonstrations, and other meetings. Print and online publications are also available.

507 Kent Street
Utica, NY 13501
877-719-9996 (Toll free)
315-797-2233
315-797-2244 (Fax)
www.cabvi.org

Services include:

• Low vision devices
• Low vision examinations
• Orientation and Mobility
• Independent living
• Assistive technology
• Employment
• Children's services
• Braille transcription

510 West Fifth Street
Jamestown, NY 14701
716-664-6660
716-664-1193 (Fax)
www.chautauquablind.org  
E-mail: staff@chautauquablind.org

The mission of the Chautauqua Blind Association is to enable visually impaired people to be active members of their communities and to provide education and services to prevent vision loss.

Services include:

• Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Pre-school Vision Screenings
• Advocacy and Education

85 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
888-724-6423 (Toll free)
516-883-8280
516-944-6849 (Fax)
www.choicemagazinelistening.org
E-mail: ChoiceMag@aol.com

Choice Magazine Listening (CML) is a free audio anthology for blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, or dyslexic subscribers. CML was created in 1962 by the non-profit Lucerna Fund to offer the best of contemporary magazine writing, completely without charge, to adults unable to read standard print.

CML selects and records memorable writing from approximately 100 leading magazines. Every other month, this free service offers subscribers eight hours of outstanding unabridged articles, fiction, and poetry read by professional voices and recorded on four-track cassette tapes.

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Local CCLVI affiliates are based in California, Delaware, New York, and Washington, DC. For more information, and to locate a low vision support group, contact the main office in Arlington, VA:

American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
800-424-8666 (Toll free)
202-467-5081
202-467-5085 (Fax)

143 Gatto Lane
Pearl River, NY 10965
845-201-8113
845-201-8114 (Fax)
www.eyeassistllc.com
E-mail: eyeassist@optonline.net

Eye Assist supplies vision impaired individuals with aids for low vision that will assist in improving quality of life. Eye Assist is devoted to assisting people who are legally blind or visually impaired to remain independent with the help of ergonomic low vision aids that are reliable, innovative, and easy to use.

Low Vision Rehabilitation
Richard Soden, O.D., FAAO
624 Hawkins Avenue, Suite 1
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-2300
631-588-5100
631-588-5185 (Fax)
Web site
Send e-mail 

55 East 9th Street, Suite 9D
New York, NY 10003
646-202-1049
http://gatewave.org
E-mail: info@gatewave.org

Gatewave.org is a closed-circuit and internet radio reading service that broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the tri-state area (NY, NJ, PA). Volunteer broadcasters read the content from over 100 newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy and People. Gatewave distributes its programming to listeners who cannot read standard printed materials because of a visual, learning, or physical disability.

144 Ridge Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
518-792-3421
518-792-3430 (Fax)
No web site at present

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
National Office Headquarters:
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050-1218
Switchboard hours: 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
516-944-8900 (Voice)
516-944-8908 (VP)
516-944-8637 (TTY)
516-944-7302 (Fax)
E-mail: hkncinfo@hknc.org

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm

The Center provides services to youth and adults who are deaf-blind according to the definition of deaf-blindness in the Helen Keller Act. The national center in New York and regional offices that serve each state provide advocacy, support groups, information, and services to people who have both a vision and a hearing loss.

The mission of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice. Authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is a national rehabilitation program serving youth and adults who are deaf-blind.

57 Willoughby Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-522-2122
718-935-9463 (Fax)
www.helenkeller.org  
E-Mail: info@helenkeller.org
Office addresses, programs, and contacts: www.helenkeller.org/about.php  

Helen Keller Services for the Blind offers a wide range of services and programs for people of all ages who are blind or have vision impairments in the New York metropolitan area and Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Services include:

• Rehabilitation Services
• Orientation & Mobility Training
• Adapted Daily Living Skills
• Low Vision Services
• Employment Services
• Pre-Vocational Training, Vocational Assessment, and Job Placement
• Employment Empowerment Workshops
• Academic Remediation/Vocational Training
• Assistive Technology Instruction
• Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• Senior Centers

5 Washington Terrace
Newburgh, NY 12550
845-565-1162
845-565-0567 (Fax)
845-764-8384 (Videophone)
http://myindependentliving.org
E-mail Contact

Independent Living, Inc. is a consumer-directed, cross-disability advocacy and service organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

They are committed to the universal elimination of physical and attitudinal barriers, as well as assisting individuals with disabilities to successfully make the transition from system-dependency to independence.

Services include a Support Group For People who are Blind and Visually Impaired.

90 Bridge Street, Suite 100
Westbrook, ME 04092
207-857-9001
207-857-9199 (Fax)
www.itnamerica.org
Send E-mail to ITNAmerica

ITNAmerica is a national non-profit organization that provides transportation to seniors and adults with visual impairments. ITNAmerica provides rides with door-through-door, arm-through-arm service and allows older people to trade their own cars to pay for rides and enables volunteer drivers to store transportation credits for their own future transportation needs.

ITNAmerica's affiliate communities include Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Portland, ME; Orlando, Sarasota, FL; Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey CA; Lexington, KY; Enfield, Middlesex, Middletown, and Fairfield County, CT; the Quad Cities of IA; Cincinnati, OH; Las Vegas, NV; Racine, WI; St. Charles, Kansas City MO; Westchester County, NY; Boston, Framingham MA

Formerly Jewish Braille Institute of America
110 East 30th Street
New York, NY 10016
800-433-1531 (Toll free)
212-889-2525
212-689-3692 (Fax)
www.jbilibrary.org
E-mail: admin@jbilibrary.org

Provides the visually impaired, blind, physically handicapped, and reading disabled of all backgrounds and ages with books, magazines and cultural programs in audio (seven languages), large print and braille. JBI has a broad range of titles, with the largest collection of Jewish interest books for the blind and visually impaired. Free of charge to eligible persons.

Corporate Office:
15 West 65th Street
New York, NY 10023
800-284-4422 (Toll free)
212-769-6200
212-769-6266 (Fax)
www.jgb.org
E-mail: info@jgb.org
Office and state contacts: www.jgb.org/contact_branch.asp (Albany, Boston, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Melville, Niagara Falls, Palm Beach, White Plains)
Staff contacts: www.jgb.org/contact_staff.asp

The Jewish Guild for the Blind is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency that serves persons of all ages who are visually impaired, blind and multi-disabled. The Guild offers a broad range of programs that include medical, vision, low vision, psychiatric and rehabilitative services, managed long-term care, day health programs, schools, and educational training programs for independent living.

Programs and services include:

• A broad range of Clinical Services that address medical, vision, low vision, and rehabilitation needs
• Behavioral Health programs, including a psychiatric clinic, a mental health day treatment program, and a developmental disabilities day treatment program
• An Adult Day Health Care program, offered in five locations in New York State and Boston
• A Managed Long Term Care program, offering comprehensive health and vision care services to adults living in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Nassau and Suffolk Counties, who wish to continue living in their own homes
• Vocational Rehabilitation programs, including The Center for Workplace Technology for computer literacy
• Independent Living Skills Training for people who want to remain independent in their own homes
• An Employment Development Program for persons seeking active employment.
• Children's vision and health initiatives, Early Intervention, Preschool and School programs.
• Greater Boston Guild for the Blind (GBGB) is a subsidiary of The Guild that offers programs and services to people with vision loss throughout the Greater Boston area.
• Greater Boston Diabetes Society is a GBGB subsidiary that provides services dedicated to promoting the well-being of people with diabetes.

Chester, New York
845-469-8626
845-913-1995 (Fax)
http://jjkvc.org
E-mail: jkelly@jjkvc.microsoftonline.com

John J. Kelly Vision Consulting is an educational consulting company in New York's Hudson Valley Region that is committed to offering its customers the finest available training and instructional services in a wide variety of disciplines that have the common goals of access, education, and independence for the individual.

They offer home, preschool and school-based Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Special Education Teachers as well as Low Vision Training, Braille Instruction, Orientation & Mobility Training, and Early Intervention services by qualified and licensed educators and consultants.

Lighthouse International
111 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
800-829-0500 (Toll free)
212-821-9200
212-821-9713 (TDD)
E-mail: info@lighthouse.org

Lighthouse International is dedicated to fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment. Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International furthers its mission through the following programs and services: Low Vision Center; Vision Rehabilitation Services; The Ethel & Samuel J. LeFrak School; and The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School.

The Lighthouse Store has a wide section of helpful, vision-friendly products. The "Resources" section of the web site provides helpful tips, information, and trusted advice.

647 McLean Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705
866-379-5319 (Toll free)
914-623-7444
914-623-7445 (Fax)
www.MyVisionAid.net  
E-mail: Inf@MyVisionAid.com  

The goal of My Vision Aid, Inc. is to provide people who are blind and have low vision with everyday tools that will make daily activities easier to handle. The owner works one-on-one with customers, making sure that they receive satisfactory results that will help improve day-to-day living.

Products include vision aids, desktop and portable electronic magnifiers, canes, cell phones, lighting, mirrors, monoculars, magnifiers, large print and talking items, and computer software.

95 Allens Creek Road
Bldg. 1, Suite 202
Rochester, NY 14618
585-427-8260
585-427-0263 (Fax)
www.nationalbraille.org
E-mail: NBAoffice@nationalbraille.org

The mission of the National Braille Association, Inc. is to provide continuing education to those who prepare braille, and to provide braille materials to persons who are visually impaired.

3611 14th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218
718-854-7300
718-854-2700 (Fax)
www.nycib.org
Contact information

New York City Industries for the Blind (NYCIB) provides meaningful on-site and off-site employment opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired in the greater New York City area.

NYCIB is the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the New York City area, the state of New York, and the NorthEast region of the United States.

New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Capital View Office Park
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144-2796
518-473-7793
518-486-7550 (Fax)
www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/cbvh
Contact information: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/contact/contact.asp
District office locations: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/cbvh/distoffices.asp

The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) is to enhance employability, to maximize independence, and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.
CBVH provides vocational rehabilitation and other direct services to legally blind New York State residents, including children, adults, and elderly persons.

One of CBVH's primary objectives is to assist consumers in achieving economic self-sufficiency and full integration into society. CBVH offers these services from seven district offices across the state. CBVH works closely with not-for-profit agencies for the blind throughout New York State to provide technical, educational and resource assistance to our consumers.

Programs and services include:

• Vocational Rehabilitation Program
• Business Enterprise Program
• Children's Program
• Transition Program
• Summer Recreation Program
• Equipment Loan Fund
• Independent Living Program

1 Commerce Plaza, Room 1609
Albany, NY 12234
800-222-JOBS (Toll free)
518-486-4154 (Fax)
www.vesid.nysed.gov
E-mail: vesidadm@mail.nysed.gov

22 US Oval, Suite B-15
Plattsburgh, NY 12903
518-562-2330
518-562-2331 (Fax)
www.ncavi.org
E-mail: ncavi2001@yahoo.com

North Country Association for the Visually Impaired (NCAVI) serves Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Saint Lawrence counties in northern New York State.

NCAVI provides rehabilitation services to people who are legally blind, blind, and visually impaired. Services include the following:

• Low Vision Exams
• Instruction in Daily Living Skills
• Personal Management Assistance Specific to Individual Needs
• Adaptive Equipment
• Instruction for Safe and Independent Travel
• Help Adjusting to Vision Loss
• Educational/Job/Vocational Training
• Need-Based Referral Services
• One-on-one services provided to individuals at the residence or place of employment

301 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
518-463-1211
www.naba-vision.org
Contact: Contact information

The Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, Inc. (NABA) assists individuals in seven upstate counties: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Schoharie. In 2002, some of NABA's services were expanded to reach individuals in Eastern Montgomery, Fulton, Warren and Washington counties.

Programs and services include:

• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy - Independence and Self-Sufficiency
• The Business Enterprise Program
• Orientation & Mobility - Safe Travel
• Social Work - Adjusting to Vision Loss
• Harry M. Judge Vision Rehabilitation Center
• Job Readiness and Employment
• Assistive Technology Services
• Children's Vision Screening

1170 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-882-1025
www.olmstedcenter.org

The Olmsted Center helps individuals of all ages with visual impairments and other physical challenges achieve their highest level of independence.

The Paul T. Bulger Vision Clinic

is the newest subsidiary of Olmsted Center. It provides the services of a physiatrist and occupational therapist, in addition to the optometric, rehabilitation teaching, social work, and orientation and mobility instruction previously offered at this site. Treatment will address not only vision loss, but other physical, cognitive, and emotional issues which may relate to visual impairment.

National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service

1160 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14209
716-882-5690
www.statlercenter.org

The National Statler Center is a subsidiary of the Olmsted Center and is devoted to hospitality employment training. One of the first projects of its kind, Statler Center provides physically disabled, blind, or visually impaired individuals with the right tools for successful careers in this rapidly growing industry.

The National Statler Center has teamed with the Lighthouse of Central Florida to train and employ blind and disabled workers for the hospitality industry. The program is designed to prepare visually impaired individuals for careers in the hospitality/tourism and customer service industries.

645 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 800-621-0026 (Toll free) 212-752-4333 www.rpbusa.org E-mail: inforequest@rpbusa.org

Research to Prevent Blindness is the leading non-government supporter of eye research with the goal of developing more effective treatments, preventives and cures for all diseases of the visual system that damage and destroy sight. The RPB web site can be used to view educational animations, read about the most recent developments in eye research, and to order free literature on eye diseases.

1713 8th Avenue, Suite #8
Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.seniorplanet.org
E-mail: info@seniorplanet.org

SeniorPlanet is a digital community for older adults. Developed by Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) in 2006, the goal of SeniorPlanet is to promote the health and wellness of older adults and improve the quality of daily life. Features include a Resource Exchange, an Events Calendar, and Senior Blogs.

2607 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
716-362-9600
716-362-9601 (Fax)
www.sabahinc.org
E-mail: sabah@sabahinc.org

For more than 26 years, the Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc. (SABAH) has taught 9,000 Western New Yorkers who have vision impairment or other physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges to ice skate. Over the past years, locally-raised funds provided instruction to more than 800 people with disabilities.

SABAH provides weekly adaptive ice skating lessons, adaptive skating equipment, intense volunteer support, and the opportunity to perform in an annual ice skating spectacular. SABAH works with people ages 16 months to 72 years.

719 Lake Street
Elmira, NY 14901
607-734-1554
607-734-9467
http://st-avi.org  
E-mail: info@st-avi.org  

The Southern Tier Association for the Visually Impaired (STAVI) has been serving the local blind and visually impaired community for over 75 years, providing support, employment, and rehabilitation services to Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties.

Programs and services include:

• Low Vision Clinic: The Arthur P. Darling Centers for Low Vision provide specialized services to improve visual function in patients with significant vision loss. A low vision specialist will evaluate the degree of functional vision and prescribe the most effective optical device.
• Rehabilitation Services: Rehabilitative Services are provided by our trained rehabilitation specialist in the setting of your own home if you live in Chemung, Schuyler, or Steuben Counties.
• Support Groups: Support Groups assist those with visual impairments and blindness by helping them meet with others who are experiencing similar struggles.

University Eye Center
33 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
888-277-5666
www.sunyopt.edu/uec
E-mail: uec@sunyopt.edu
Additional contact information: www.sunyopt.edu/uec/contact

The University Eye Center (UEC) is the patient care facility of the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry. The range of services includes adult and pediatric eye care, management of ocular diseases, contact lenses, diagnostic testing, and vision rehabilitation including low vision services, head trauma services, vision therapy, and educational testing.

As a teaching facility, patients examined and treated in the UEC benefit from the careful oversight of supervising doctors with many years of patient care, teaching, and research experience. Every patient receives a comprehensive examination. If necessary, patients may obtain glasses or contact lenses, or have laser eye surgery performed on site.

The comprehensive low vision evaluation carefully assesses the patient's current visual status, identifies goals and visual needs, and results in an individualized rehabilitation program to meet these needs.

Rehabilitative measures include highly specialized eyeglasses and a full range of low vision devices, such as hand and stand magnifiers, telescopes, microscopes and electronic magnification systems.

The UEC Technology Center evaluates patients for CCTVs, computer adaptations and modifications, and other state-of-the-art high-tech devices.

Other measures available include sunwear and lighting evaluations, and environmental design consultations to maximize function in the patient's real world setting. UOC also provides social work services and referrals for Orientation and Mobility Training and Activities of Daily Living Programs as needed. Although low vision rehabilitation can not restore vision loss, most patients can benefit from services to make the most of their remaining sight.

UEC also provides a wide range of services not typically found at most eye care centers, from pediatric eye exams and learning disabilities assessments to the latest treatments for ocular diseases.

Meet Benjamin M. Freed, O.D., Low Vision Optometrist with the Homebound Eye Care Program at the State University of New York College of Optometry.

3680 Route 112
Coram, NY 11727
631-880-7929
631-946-6377 (Fax)
631-654-8076 (TTY)
www.suffolkilc.org

The Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) has been working with the disability community in Suffolk County for 25 years. SILO works with individuals, businesses, and agencies to promote equal access for people with all disabilities.

Services include advocacy/legal services, architectural barrier services, assistive devices and equipment, communication services, housing or shelter, information and referral, independent living skills, mobility, peer counseling, recreational services, vocational and pre-vocational, benefits advisement, and voter registration.

Division of Continuing and Professional Studies
Baruch College
City University of New York (CUNY)
1 Bernard Baruch Way, Box H-648
New York, NY 10010
646-312-1420
www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip
E-mail: judith.gerber@baruch.cuny.edu

Services include:

• Computer courses: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Surfing the 'Net. Students learn to use the keyboard rather than a mouse to navigate the computer, which makes it possible to email, shop on-line, or create documents, presentations and spreadsheets.
• A monthly open house that features hands-on demonstrations.
• Braille and large print production
• Training and consultation

80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700
New York, NY 10038
212-285-0080
www.glaucomafoundation.org
E-mail: info@glaucomafoundation.org

The mission of The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF) is to fund groundbreaking research and to educate the public about the disease and the importance of early detection to prevent blindness.

Find A Support Group

TGF also sponsors Glaucoma Support and Education Groups and free Online Discussion and Support Groups hosted by Yahoo! Groups.

300 Community Drive
Manhasset, NY 11030
Low Vision Services
Benjamin M. Freed, O.D.
800-222-9816 (Toll free)
516-470-2020

310 East 14th Street
New York, New York 10003
212-979-4000 (Main number)
Telephone directory
www.nyee.edu

Founded in 1820, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEEI) in Manhattan (New York City) is the oldest specialty hospital in the Western Hemisphere. NYEEI provides patient care, community outreach, graduate and continuing medical education, and scientific research.

The Glaucoma Foundation sponsors a Glaucoma Support and Education Group at NYEEI that meets once a month on the third Saturday morning of the month (except during the summer).

40 West 27th Street, 4th Floor
Suite 400A
New York, NY 10001
212-686-5505
www.thevisionarymediagroup.org
E-mail: TVMG@mac.com

The Visionary Media Company is a non-profit organization that finds employment opportunities for blind musicians, artists, composers, vocalists, and audio professionals.

306 West 18th Street, #3A
New York, NY 10011
212-243-4337 (Administrative)
212-279-4200 (Box office)
www.tbtb.org
E-mail: ischambelan@nyc.rr.com

Theater Breaking Through Barriers, formerly Theater By the Blind, has been working for 29 years to develop blind and low vision talent for the theater, television and film. Recently, the company changed its name to reflect its commitment to include all artists with disabilities in its work, onstage, backstage, in the office and in the audience.

www.va.gov 
Contact the VA

The mission of the Veterans' Healthcare System (VHA) is to serve the needs of America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services. Approximately a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.

Facilities Locator Home Page: 
Use this search feature to locate VA facility-related information quickly and accurately.

Fact Sheets about VA Services:
Use this search feature to locate VA News Releases and Fact Sheets on topics that include health care and benefits.

Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Veterans:
The mission of the VA Blind Rehabilitation Service is to coordinate a healthcare service delivery system that provides a continuum of care for blinded veterans extending from their home environment to the local VA facility and to the appropriate rehabilitation setting.

Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST):
The Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator serves as the initial contact person for getting help with vision loss. VIST Coordinators are located at local VA Medical Centers across the country. They work to ensure that veterans with visual impairments receive appropriate benefits and services.

The VIST Coordinator is a case manager who has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for legally blind veterans and their families. Duties include providing and/or arranging for the provision of appropriate treatment plans and programs in order to enhance a blinded veteran's functioning level.

Other duties include identifying new cases of blindness, providing professional counseling, resolving problems, arranging annual healthcare reviews, and conducting education programs relating to blindness.

Services for blind and visually impaired veterans include:

• Orientation and Mobility
• Independent Living Skills
• Manual Skills
• Visual Skills and Low Vision Services
• Computer Access Training
• Physical Conditioning
• Recreation
• Adjustment to Blindness
• Family Program

500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor
New York, New York 10013-1354
888-245-8333 (Toll free)
212-625-1616
212-219-4078 (Fax)
www.visionsvcb.org
E-mail: Info@visionsvcb.org

VISIONS at Selis Manor
135 West 23rd Street
New York, New York 10011
646-486-4444
646-486-4343 (Fax)
E-mail: selisdirector@visionsvcb.org
bfabricant@visionsvcb.org

VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB)
111 Summit Park Road
Spring Valley, New York 10977
845-354-3003
845-354-5130 (Fax)
E-mail: cthorne@visionsvcb.org

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides rehabilitation services free of charge for people of all ages who are legally blind or severely visually impaired. Service areas include children and youth, adults, seniors, employment and job placement, recreation, volunteer services, and community outreach and training.

CIL Publication Series
500 Greenwich Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10013
888-CIL-8333
212-219-4078 (Fax)
www.cilpubs.com

CIL Publications and Audiobooks offers self-study audiotapes and audiobooks for people who are blind or visually impaired. Subjects include indoor mobility, personal management, and sensory development.

Meet Elizabeth Lee, LMSW, Intergenerational Program Director at VISIONS.

3070 Transit Drive
West Seneca, NY 14224
716-668-1166
http://wnycentervisuallyimpaired.com
E-mail: wnycvi@msn.com

The Western New York Center for the Visually Impaired provides low vision evaluations to prescribe special reading glasses, magnifiers, and video magnifiers.

They also provide in-home rehabilitative services, including training with adaptive equipment to improve activities of daily living and mobility training to promote safe and independent travel.

Satellite offices are located in Niagara Falls, Warsaw, and Wellsville.

Programs and services include:

• Assistive Products: Low vision devices and nonoptical devices available for sale
• Computer Training
• Counseling for employment-bound clients
• Low Vision Services: Low vision evaluation and follow-ups, low vision devices
• Rehabilitation Services: In-home rehabilitation training and at the job site

154 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
800-637-9193 (Toll free)
212-473-7800
212-473-7801 (Fax)
www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
E-mail: info@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org

Provides free spiritual and inspirational Roman Catholic reading materials and lending library services in braille, large print, audiocassette, and digital formats.

As new translations of Scripture and readings and prayers for the Mass are approved, the Xavier Society will be ready to transcribe them.