The Self-help Resource Center for Vision LossFL - Florida Vision Services
Aurora Ministries and Bible Alliance Mission, Inc.
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.
Beyond Blind Institute
www.beyondblindinstitute.com
Contact information
Beyond Blind Institute (BBI) is a non-profit initiative based in Palm Beach County, Florida. The mission of BBI is to provide a hands-on approach to each individual's health and fitness, career opportunities, and emotional and social well-being, along with a strong focus on technical skills and low vision technology.
Programs and services include:
- Bodies Beyond Blindness: fitness and weight training, yoga, nutrition and weight loss programs
- Sightless Chef: preparing nutritious meals to maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Beginning and Beyond: counseling center for blind and visually impaired men and women and their immediate family members
- Beauty Beyond Blindness: full service salon for women, including audio instructions for makeup application
- Miracle of Music: musical arts center
- Dancing Out of Darkness: dance classes and instruction
- The Computer Trainer: advanced technology and computer training
- Visions Beyond: low vision devices and training
Braille Works International, Inc.

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.
Center for Hearing and Communication
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.
Center for Retina and Macular Disease
Low Vision Services
250 Avenue K, SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880
800-472-8867 (Toll free)
863-297-5400
863-293-9780 (Fax)
www.crmd.net
Also provides services in the following offices and locations: Clermont, Lakeland, Sebring, Zephyrhills, and Haines City
Center for the Visually Impaired
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)
Central Florida Low Vision Rehabilitation Resource Center
940 Centre Circle
Suite 2004
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-7242
407-659-0066
No web site at present
Clearer Vision Ministries
P.O. Box 2085
Sanford, FL 32772-2085
407-330-2085
407-330-2086 (Fax)
www.clearervisionministries.org
E-mail: recordings@clearervisionministries.org
Provides recorded Christian materials and magazine for use by blind and print impaired persons, especially Bible College students. Also provides technical assistance to local churches seeking to minister to/with print impaired persons.
Conklin Center for the Blind
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
Florida Center for the Blind
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.
Florida Division of Blind Services
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
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
2002-A Old Saint Augustine Road
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
850-245-3399 (Voice/TDD)
http://rehabworks.org
The mission of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is to enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and keep employment.
Florida Eye Center
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
Florida Eye Institute
Low Vision Rehabilitation Services
2750 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach, FL 32960
772-569-9500
772-569-9507 (Fax)
www.fleye.com
Contact Florida Eye Institute
Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
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.
Florida Outreach Center for the Blind, Inc.
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.
Freedom Scientific
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.
Gospel Association for the Blind
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.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
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.
Independence for the Blind of West Florida
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.
Independent Living for Adult Blind
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.
ITNAmerica
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
Keitzer Check Writing Guide
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.
Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches
1710 Tiffany Drive East
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-586-5600
561- 845-8022 (Fax)
www.lighthousepalmbeaches.org
E-mail: info@lighthousepalmbeaches.org
Founded in 1946, The Lighthouse is a private, nonprofit agency providing direct education and rehabilitation services to people who are blind or visually impaired in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
The Lighthouse also provides services to family members and caregivers of those who are blind, and consultation and education to businesses, agencies, institutions and organizations in the community who employ or interact with persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Instructional services include Job Readiness, Independent Living Skills, Orientation & Mobility, Technology Instruction, Community Education, and Summer Camp.
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
8610 Galen Wilson Blvd., Suite B
Port Richey, FL 34668
727-815-0303
727-815-0203 (Fax)
6492 California Street
Brooksville, FL 34609
352-754-1132
352-754-5118 (Fax)
Citrus
866-962-5254
www.lvib.org
E-mail: sperez@lvib.org
The mission of Lighthouse is to provide persons who are visually impaired with the skills needed to achieve maximum independence. The Lighthouse provides free vision rehabilitation services to people who are visually impaired and blind, from babies to those in their senior years.
The Lighthouse has two permanent locations in West Pasco and Hernando (Brooksville) counties. Independent Living Skills classes are held at both permanent locations, as well as in Zephyrhills, Dade City, and Lecanto. In addition, home-based training is provided to many individuals. Lighthouse services are provided at no cost to clients and their families.
Services include independent living skills, orientation and mobility training, braille literacy, assistive technology, job readiness, and individual counseling and support groups.
Youth programs include: Little Lighthouse – Early Intervention (Ages: 0-5); Children’s Activities (Ages: 6-13); School to Work Transition (Ages: 14-21)
Lighthouse of Central Florida
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.
Lighthouse of Collier, Inc.
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.
Lighthouse of Manasota
7318 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-1404
941-359-2373 (Fax)
www.lighthouseofmanasota.org
E-mail: mana.lighthouse@verizon.net
The Lighthouse of Manasota was established in 1987 by a group of concerned citizens in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Services include:
- Low vision Support Groups and Clubs meet monthly at locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties
- The Independent Living Adult Program offers training in adaptive methods for performing everyday tasks
- Orientation and mobility training
- Transportation
- Self-advocacy training
- Children's Early Intervention Program
- Retail store for adaptive aids and devices
- Volunteer programs
Lighthouse of Pinellas, Inc.
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.
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
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.
Low Vision Institute
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.
Low Vision Solutions
Paul Homer, M.D.
660 Glades Road, Suite 380
Boca Raton, FL 33431
888-832-1666 (Toll free)
561-544-1666
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.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
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.
National Association of Blind Veterans
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.
New Vision for Independence, Inc.
Lake-Sumter Community College
9501 U.S. Highway 441
Leesburg, FL 34788
352-435-5040
352-435-6303 (Fax)
www.newvisionfl.org
E-mail: info@newvisionfl.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
Panhandle Vision Institute: Low Vision Services
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
Southeastern Guide Dogs
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.
Stephens Music Store
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.
Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind
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.
The Eye Center of North Florida
2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Panama City, FL 32405
850-784-3937
www.eyecarenow.com
E-mail contact
The Eye Center offers the only Low Vision Rehabilitation services in the region., provided by specialty physicians, an occupational therapist, and technical staff.
The Eye Center also travels to the home to evaluate patients’ abilities to safely cook, ambulate, and perform personal care needs. They meet with family members to create a team approach to achieve prolonged independence, utilize the Division of Blind services, and help recruit service clubs to help with patients’ financial challenges.
The Lighthouse of Broward County - FL
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.
The William A. Thomas Braille Bookstore
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.
U.S. Blind Horseshoe Pitchers’ Association
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.
United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs
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
Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) of Charlotte County - FL
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
Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) of Southwest Florida
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.
Copyright ©2011 by American Foundation for the Blind. All rights reserved.

