P.O. Box 621
Bradenton, FL 34206
941-748-3031
941-748-2625 (Fax)
auroraministries.org
E-mail: tapes@auroraministries.org

Provides free audio Bibles to people throughout the world who are legally blind and print-handicapped.

941 Darby Lake Street
Seffner, FL 33584
800-258-7544 (Toll free)
813-654-4050
813-659-8628 (Fax)
www.brailleworks.com
E-mail: Brailleworks@brailleworks.com

Braille Works creates and distributes reading materials for people who are legally blind or have a visual impairment. Their clients include Ruby Tuesday, Red Lobster, Applebee's, PF Chang's, Freedom Scientific, and many financial institutions.

Braille Works “Makes The World a More Readable Place” by providing the means to deliver ADA-compliant large format print, braille, and audio materials for customers with reading and visual impairments.

1187 Dunn Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
800-227-1284 (Toll free)
386-253-8879
386-253-9178 (Fax)
www.cvicentralflorida.org
E-mail: cvisight@bellsouth.net

The Center for the Visually Impaired is a non-profit agency dedicated to serving the special needs of blind and visually impaired individuals and has been providing a wide variety of critical services for the past 20 years.

A full range of rehabilitation and training programs, as well as social services, low vision services, and employment services for teenagers enables participants to preserve their independence and achieve their highest potential.

Additional office locations:

840 Deltona Boulevard, Suite C
Deltona, FL 32725
386-860-7389
386-860-5525 (Fax)

113 King Street
Cocoa, FL 32922
321-631-9791
321-631-8068 (Fax)

405 White Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-258-3441 (Voice and TDD)
386-258-1155 (Fax)
www.conklincenter.org
E-mail: Robert@conklincenter.org

The mission of the Conklin Center for the Blind is to train, assist, and support individuals who are blind and have one or more other disabilities to obtain gainful employment, live independently, participate in community life, and have the freedom to make his or her own choices with dignity.

Programs and services include:

• Adult Basic Education
• Activities of Daily Living
• Residential Training
• Vocational Evaluation and Training
• Orientation and Mobility
• Supported Employment
• Supported Living
• Community Access
• Early Intervention

7325 S.W. 32nd Street
Ocala, FL 34474
352-873-4700
352-873-4751 (Fax)
www.flblind.org
E-mail: director@flblind.org

The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. is a non-profit organization that teaches alternatives to performing daily tasks with a minimum of inconvenience to the individual. The Center also aids its clients in locating and qualifying for services available to them.

Education and training are provided in braille, mobility skills, daily living skills, cooking, and leisure time activities.

The Florida Center also provides training in employability skills such as typing, introduction to computers, and the use of specialized software.

1320 Executive Center Drive, Suite 201
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-0384
850-245-0386 (Fax)
http://dbs.myflorida.com

The Division of Blind Services is Florida's state agency responsible for ensuring that people of all ages in the state who are blind or visually impaired can live independently and achieve their goals. The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library administers a free library program of braille and recorded materials for eligible readers.

Services include:

• Blind Babies Program
• Children's Program
• School-to-Work or Transition Program
• Independent Living Services
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services
• Employer Services
• Business Enterprise Services
• Braille and Talking Book Library Services

2002-A Old Saint Augustine Road
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
850-245-3399 (Voice/TDD)
http://rehabworks.org[link opens in new window]

The mission of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is to enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and keep employment.

Rebecca J. Sims, O.D., Low Vision Specialist
1515 9th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
727-895-2020
www.floridaeyecenter.com  
Low Vision Services at Florida Eye Center

4111 SE 10th Place
Ocala, FL 34471-4811
352-624-1804 (Phone and Fax)
www.floridalionsfoundation.org

The Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Inc. was founded in 1958 to provide sight care to the needy (such as an individual who needs eye surgery but has no insurance and insufficient funds to pay for the surgery) through the Lions of Florida (Multiple District-35). Later, the Foundation's scope of operations was expanded to include grants to aid Lions-sponsored or Lions-associated sight care related agencies within MD-35.

Funds to support the Foundation’s eye care program are received only through individual club donations, interest from a trust fund, grants, and bequests to the Foundation.

1280 North Congress Avenue, Suite 108
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
561-640-6029
www.flblindcenter.org  
E-mail: info_focb@bellsouth.net

Established in 2003 by visually impaired persons, the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind is the only full-service training facility of its kind in Palm Beach County. Classes provide, at no charge, instruction in Braille, Electronic Communications, Daily Living Skills, Cooking, and Personal and Home Management.

The Center also hosts weekly support groups, craft classes, workshops on a variety of topics, and an extensive variety of aids and appliances for hands-on inspection. The Center's Equipment Loan Program enables clients to have adaptive technology, which they otherwise could not afford. It also offers blind individuals access to a Talking Books inventory.

11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1805
877-775-9474 (within US) (Sales and Information)
727-803-8000 (worldwide) (Sales and Information)
727-803-8001 (Fax)
www.freedomscientific.com
Contact information

Freedom Scientific is the world’s leader in technology-based solutions for people with visual impairments. Freedom Scientific has also developed leading-edge assistive technology products that enable the blind to have complete access to information and computing. In addition, Freedom Scientific is a leading developer of products specifically designed to assist persons with reading-related learning challenges.

7850 South U.S. Highway 1
P.O. Box 1162
Bunnell, FL 32110-8770
386-586-5885
No web site at this time

The Gospel Association for the Blind offers a wide range of topics including Bible studies, biographies, fiction and current issues, science, and music. Services are free and offered in print, cassette, or braille. Also operates a lending library and radio broadcasting.

1302 Dunmire Street
Pensacola, FL 32504-6625
850-477-2663
850-479-4025 (Fax)
www.ibwest.org
E-mail: email@ibwest.org

Independence for the Blind of West Florida serves persons who are blind or visually impaired in a ten county area in Northwest Florida. The service area includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Bay, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, and Gulf counties. Services are provided to clients free of charge.

The mission of Independence for the Blind of West Florida is to teach independent living skills, computer and adaptive technology, and provide vocational assessments, training, and employment-related services to people who are blind or visually impaired so they can achieve maximum independence.

c/o Florida Community College at Jacksonville
101 West State Street, A2140
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-633-8220

Independent Living for Adult Blind (ILAB) is an instructional program for adults who have vision loss to a degree that they experience some difficulty in their daily activities. Through guidance and specialized training offered through the ILAB program, individuals learn necessary skills for work and independence in his or her home and community.

Training is offered at no cost to individuals. Eligibility is determined by the State Division of Blind Services.

5324 Ingleside
Leesburg, FL 34748
352-326-3437
www.checkwritingguide.com

A multipurpose device designed specifically to aid people who have difficulty writing. The guide can help in writing and cashing/depositing checks, purchasing and cashing travelers checks, and can also be used as a signature guide for right/left handed people, allowing financial independence.

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.lhh.org
E-mail: info@lhh.org
New York programs and services

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.lhh.org
E-mail: fl@lhh.org
Florida programs and services

The League was founded in New York in 1910 and provides services for people of all ages with all degrees of hearing loss: people who are hard of hearing, deaf and deafblind, and their families.

8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Suite B
Port Richey, FL 34668
800-785-3937 (Toll free)
727-815-0303
727-815-0203 (Fax)
www.lighthouse-pasco.org
E-mail: sperez@lighthouse-pasco.org

The Lighthouse for the Blind is a private, nonprofit, educational, and rehabilitation organization, serving people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired at two locations serving Pasco and Hernando Counties. The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide blind and visually impaired persons with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence.

Services include independent living classes, low vision screenings, a low vision store, computer and adaptive software training, and support services and counseling.

215 East New Hampshire Street
Orlando, FL 32804
407-898-2483 x12
407-895-5255 (Fax)
www.lighthousecentralflorida.org  
E-mail: lnasehi@lighthousecentralflorida.org

Since 1976, Lighthouse Central Florida (formerly the Center for Independence, Technology & Education - CITE) has served adults and children with low vision and blindness by providing professional rehabilitation and training programs in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. Lighthouse is the sole non-profit provider of comprehensive vision rehabilitation services in the Central Florida area.

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.

Center for Blindness and Vision Loss
457 Bayfront Place
Naples, FL 34102
239-430-EYE4 (3934)
www.lighthouseofcollier.org

Incorporated in 2009, the mission of the Lighthouse of Collier is to promote the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of programs and services that foster independence and enhance the quality of life for the blind, visually impaired, and their caregivers.

7318 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-1404
941-359-2373 (Fax)
No web site at present
E-mail: mana.lighthouse@verizon.net

Established in 1987 by a group of concerned citizens in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

6925 112th Circle North, Suite 103
Largo, FL 33773
727-544-4433
727-544-5511 (Fax)
www.lighthouseofpinellas.org
E-mail: mkert@lighthouseofpinellas.org

Lighthouse of Pinellas has provided services to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired for almost 50 years. Chartered in 1956, the mission of Lighthouse of Pinellas is to advance the independence, opportunities and quality of life for the more than 40,000 residents of Pinellas County who are blind and visually impaired.

Lighthouse of Pinellas offers comprehensive vision rehabilitation programs for adults and seniors, job placement services for adults, life enrichment programs for adults and seniors, an onsite product store, information and referral services, and comprehensive children's rehabilitation programs for children of all ages beginning at birth.

1286 Cedar Center Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301
888-827-6033 (Toll free)
850-942-3658 Ext. 201
850-942-4518 (Fax)
www.lighthousebigbend.org
E-mail: info@lighthousebigbend.org

Lighthouse of the Big Bend (formerly FIRE) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to assisting people who are visually impaired or blind to achieve a maximum level of independence in their lives. Free services are provided on an outreach (one on one) or group basis and are provided without charge, without regard to individual or family income level, race, creed, age, disability or national origin.

Lighthouse of the Big Bend serves eleven counties including Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.

2021 East Commercial Blvd., Suite 301
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
866-942-2020
954-491-0027 (Fax)
www.lowvisioninstitute.com

The Low Vision Institute offers comprehensive low vision care to patients with conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, albinism, brain injury, stroke, and retinitis pigmentosa.

The main office is located in Fort Lauderdale, with satellite offices in Stuart, Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and the Villages just north of Orlando.

Paul Homer, M.D.
4700 N.W. 2nd Avenue, Suite 401
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-544-1666
www.lowvisionsolutions.net
E-mail: drhomer@lowvisionsolutions.net

Low Vision Solutions is a low vision program offering Physician Services, Occupational Therapy Services, and state-of-the-art resources and optical aids.

It was founded and is directed by Dr. Paul Homer, who practiced Ophthalmology and Medical Retina for 24 years before retraining in Low Vision Rehabilitation to help people whose vision cannot be improved by surgery, medicine, or regular glasses.

601 S.W. 8th Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
305-856-2288
305-285-6967 (Fax)
305-670-9099 (TDD)
www.miamilighthouse.com
E-mail: vjacko@miamilighthouse.com

Established in 1931, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is the oldest and largest private agency in Florida to serve people of all ages who are blind or the visually impaired.

The mission of the Miami Lighthouse is to provide vision rehabilitation and eye health services that promote confidence and independence, as well as to educate professionals, and conduct research in related fields.

259 Regal Downs Circle
Winter Garden, FL 34787
707-430-0324 (Phone and Fax)
www.nabv.org  
E-mail: President@nabv.org  

The National Association of Blind Veterans (NABV) is a group of veterans whose blindness is both service-connected and not service-connected, and who are concerned about the welfare and well-being of other blind veterans.

The mission of NABV is:

• To serve as a division of the National Federation of the Blind
• To be a vehicle for collective action by the blind veterans of the nation
• To function as a mechanism through which blind veterans and interested sighted persons can come together to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life for blind veterans
• To promote the cultural, vocational, and social advancement of blind veterans
• To achieve the integration of blind veterans into society on a basis of equality with the sighted
• To be a major resource for blind veterans and to focus on issues that particularly impact blind veterans
• To take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of being a blind veteran.

Web site services include the NABV Listserv, Find My Congressman, and Find My Senator.

Lake-Sumter Community College
9501 U.S. Highway 441
Leesburg, FL 34788
352-435-5040
352-435-6303 (Fax)
www.n-v-i.org
E-mail: info@n-v-i.org

New Vision for Independence, Inc. is a non-profit agency providing free instruction, vision rehabilitation, and support services to visually impaired or blind adults and their families in Lake and Sumter Counties.

Programs and services include:

• Independent living skills
• Orientation and mobility
• Access technology
• Braille
• Support groups
• Family workshops

Katie Gilbert, O.D., MPH
Panhandle Vision Institute-Gulf Breeze
1040 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Suite 210
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
800-657-1436 (Toll free)
850-438-1277
850-515-1520 (Fax)
www.panhandlevisioninstitute.com  
E-mail: email.panhandlevisionistitute.com

Paws for Patriots Program
4210 77th Street East
Palmetto, FL 34221
941-729-5665
941-729-6646 (Fax)
www.guidedogs.org
Paws for Patriots Program
E-mail Southeastern Guide Dogs

The Paws for Patriots Progam provides guide dogs to blinded soldiers and places therapy dogs at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. The program also places companion and therapy dogs with soldiers.

c/o Stephens Development
6303 Thorndon Circle
University Park, FL 34201
888-714-4419 (Toll free)
941-358-8567 (Fax)
http://stephensmusicpub.com
E-mail: stevepub@comcast.net

Large print music for piano and vocal performances.

1106 West Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
866-251-2407 (Toll free)
813-251-2407 (Phone and TDD)
813-254-4305 (Fax)
www.tampalighthouse.org  
E-mail: Director@tampalighthouse.org

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind provides comprehensive rehabilitation programs for persons who are blind or visually impaired in two locations in Florida. On-site services are provided in Tampa and in Winter Haven for persons residing in Hillsborough, Polk, and surrounding counties.

Training is designed to help individuals who have recently lost part or all of their vision to gain the skills needed to perform daily living tasks.

650 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
954-463-4217
954-764-3825 (Fax and TDD)
www.lhob.org
E-mail: edupre@LHOB.org

The mission of The Lighthouse of Broward County is to enhance the independence, productivity, and quality of life of visually impaired children, youth, working age adults, and elders who are blind or visually impaired.

Originally established in 1972 as the Broward Center for the Blind by volunteers in Ft. Lauderdale, the Lighthouse has grown from a small agency created to provide social support and recreational activities for blind people to an accredited, full service educational and rehabilitation agency.

At Braille International, Inc.
3290 S.E. Slater Street
Stuart, FL 34997
888-336-3142 (Toll free)
772-286-8366
772-286-8909 (Fax)
E-mail: info@brailleintl.org

The William A. Thomas Braille Bookstore offers adult fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. Call or write for title and price information.

395 Baytree Drive
Melbourne, FL 32940
321-757-6824
www.midniteringers.org
E-mail: wyantdr@aol.com  

The mission of the U.S. Blind Horseshoe Pitchers' Association is to promote the sport of horseshoe pitching for people who are blind and visually impaired throughout the United States and develop assistive devices and methods for blind and visually impaired players.

22107 Elmira Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-625-8501
941-625-8932 (Fax)
www.vipofcc.com
E-mail: vipofcc@daystar.net

The VIP is a resource and education center offering programs and services to the visually impaired of Charlotte County, Florida and surrounding community.

The VIP provides the following Independent Living classes free of charge:

• Currency
• Low Vision
• Low Vision Aids
• Counseling
• Personal Management
• Arts and Crafts
• Mobility Training
• Talking Books

P.O. Box 3464
35 West Mariana Avenue
North Fort Myers, FL 33918-3464
239-997-7797
239-997-8462 (Fax)
www.vipcenter.org
E-mail: dfowler@vipcenter.org

The VIP Center offers rehabilitation services that help adults and their families adjust and cope with vision loss. VIP holds classes and provides training throughout Lee and Collier Counties of Florida. In 2007, VIP developed a year-round transition program for students ages 14-22 to learn necessary life skills.

VIP offers activities of daily living, braille, eccentric viewing training (reading), assistive technology, orientation and mobility, social services, counseling, arts and crafts classes, festive events, and bi-monthly social gatherings. VIP has a part-time optometrist who specializes in low vision and a low vision lab with high tech equipment.