100 East 22nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
800-597-9558 (Toll free)
612-872-0100
612-872-9358 (Fax)
www.blindinc.org
E-mail: info@blindinc.org
Additional contacts: www.blindinc.org/contact.html

BLIND, Incorporated was founded in 1986 by blind Minnesotans who believed that, given the proper training and opportunity, blind people can lead normal, independent, and fulfilled lives.

BLIND, Inc. is affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind, which believes blind people are seeking the same goals as all Americans: independence, self-sufficiency and satisfying and gainful employment.

BLIND, Incorporated offers the following training programs for adults, children, teenagers, and seniors:

• The Comprehensive Program is geared toward adults who want to gain the skills and confidence they need to continue in their present line of work, continue their education, or begin a new career. 
• Life 101 allows teenagers to learn the skills they need to keep up with their peers and prepares them to attend college or join the workforce. 
• The Buddy Program teaches children ages 9 to 13 that being blind is OK and they can have as much fun as anybody else. 
• The Senior Program allows people who lose their sight later in life to learn practical techniques for dealing with their sight loss and network with other seniors who are also losing vision.

Arrowhead Place
205 West 2nd Street, Suite 130
Duluth, MN 55802
888-214-5450 (Toll free)
218-722-1837
218-722-1838 (Fax)

www.chestercreek.com
E-mail contact

Chester Creek offers functional computer keyboards and mice for all ages and abilities, including keyboards with oversized 1" keys, color-coded and standard-sized keyboards, and color-coded typing tutorials, along with software and accessories.

4505 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55807-2728
800-422-0833 (Toll free)
218-624-4828
218-624-4479 (Fax)
www.lighthousefortheblind-duluth.org
E-mail: info@lighthousefortheblind-duluth.org

The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a comprehensive rehabilitation agency and offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of people who are blind or have low vision:

• Center-based Adjustment to Blindness Rehabilitation Program: This program takes place at the Lighthouse and is designed to serve people who need comprehensive or long-term instruction on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Component Rehabilitation Program: This program takes place at the Lighthouse and provides one to five hours of weekly instruction in only one class area. 
• Itinerant Rehabilitation Program: If attending classes at the Lighthouse is not feasible, Lighthouse staff can provide instruction in the home or place of employment. 
• Community-based Senior Rehabilitation Program: Offers groups of three to four people instruction in the areas of Techniques of Daily Living, Communications, and Orientation and Mobility.
• Technology Training through Internet Audio Program: If computer training is needed, but attending classes at the Lighthouse is not an option, instruction can be provided via the Internet.
• Hearing and Vision Loss Outreach Program and Intervenor / Service Support Program: For people with hearing and vision loss, this program offers assessments and referrals, independent living skills training, self-advocacy information, case management, support groups, and follow-up services. 
• Adjustment to Blindness Support Groups: The Lighthouse offers a monthly support group that is held at the Lighthouse on the second Monday of each month.

3989 Central Avenue NE
Suite 402
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
651-636-5184
866-347-8249 (Fax)
www.handytech.us
E-mail: info@handytech.us

Handy Tech North America is a Minneapolis-based company that is owned and operated by business professionals with visual impairments. Handy Tech develops innovative and cost-effective low vision solutions and acts as a distributor for assistive technology products.

Handy Tech North America also offers customized assistive technology training and consulting services to organizations and individuals throughout the United States and Canada.

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.

1740 Eugene Street
White Bear Lake, MN 55110-3312
651-426-0469
www.users.qwest.net/~lbea
E-mail: lbea@qwest.net

The Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association is a non-profit ministry, founded in 1952 by the blind Lutheran pastor John Gustav Erickson. Its mission is to provide Scripture and other Christian materials to blind and sight-impaired persons throughout the world. Materials are available in braille, large print, audiotape, CD, and in digital format via BibleCourier, an electronic pocket Bible.

Low Vision Service
200 First Street, SW
Rochester, MN 55905
507-538-3270 (Appointments)
507-284-9786 (TDD)
www.mayoclinic.org/ophthalmology-rst/lowvision.html

A visit to the Mayo Clinic Low Vision Service will include the following:

• Low vision assessment: A medical social worker will interview you to determine how low vision is affecting you and your family.
• Comprehensive vision examination: This exam helps pinpoint which lenses and/or low vision devices will help you achieve the clearest possible image.
• Follow-up and referral: You may be referred to an occupational therapist for training in the use of low vision aids, or the medical social worker can refer you to agencies or organizations in your area that help visually impaired people.

388 SE 6th Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021-6340
800-722-0550
Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library web site
E-mail: mn.btbl@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library provides direct library service to eligible Minnesotans who are legally blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, and reading disabled.

Department of Employment and Economic Development
2200 University Avenue, Suite 240
St. Paul, MN 55114-1840
800-652-9000 (Toll free)
651-642-0500
800-665-3276 (Toll Free TTY)
651-642-0506 (TTY)
www.mnssb.org
List of statewide offices: www.mnssb.org/about/offices.html

State Services for the Blind (SSB) is a branch within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. It is funded by Federal, State and private dollars.

SSB believes that blindness should never stop people from obtaining jobs, participating in training, or in any activities which reflect their potential and interests.

Anyone of any age in Minnesota who has a vision loss that creates a barrier to their vocational or personal independence can use SSB.

General Information:
Secretary, Stephen A. Guerra
3444 Limerick Lane, NE
Rochester, MN 55906
507-208-8383
www.nbba.org
E-mail: secretary@nbba.org
Additional contact information: www.nbba.org/contacts.htm

The National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) promotes this adaptive form of baseball, America's favorite pasttime. Learn all about how the game is played and where to find sources of beep baseball equipment.

NBBA Teams lists all registered teams and a contact for each to connect with a beep baseball team in your local area.

2215 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-775-8800
www.allina.com/ahs/pei.nsf  
E-mail contacts: www.allina.com/ahs/pei.nsf/page/askpei

Low Vision Rehabilitation Center
710 East 24th Street, Suite 203
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-775-8866
www.allina.com/ahs/pei.nsf/page/rehab
E-mail: sight@allina.com

Phillips Eye Institute specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and care of eye disorders and diseases and provides an array of services, from diagnostic tests and vision rehabilitation to laser eye treatments and specialized eye surgery.

1455 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-827-3232
www.sfl.org
E-mail: info@sfl.org

A program of cross-country skiing benefiting blind, visually impaired, and mobility-impaired individuals and their guides.

Ski for Light, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that teaches blind, visually- and mobility-impaired adults to cross-country ski. 

Each year Ski for Light, Inc. conducts a week-long event in which blind and mobility-impaired adults are taught the basics of cross-country skiing. During the Ski for Light week, each disabled skier is paired with an experienced, sighted, cross-country skier who acts as ski instructor and guide.

2200 University Avenue West, Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55114
800-871-8780 (Toll free)
651-203-2200
651-203-2203 (Fax)
www.thelowvisioncenter.com
E-mail: lowvisionstore@yahoo.com

The Low Vision Store carries a full line of daily living products and reading machines for people who are blind or have low vision. They cover the five-state area of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa and will do free in-house demonstrations for all reading machines.

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

Visual Rehabilitation Center
516 Delaware Street, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0501
612-625-4400
626-3119 (Fax)
www.ophthalmology.umn.edu/centers/LowVision

The Visual Rehabilitation Center (VRC) provides services to those who have decreased vision that cannot be corrected with ordinary glasses, or medical or surgical procedures. The mission of the VRC is to assist people with low vision to make the best use of their remaining vision in order to stay as independent and active as possible. Individual goals are established with each client of the VRC.

1936 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-871-2222

216 South Wabasha Street
Saint Paul, MN 55107
651-224-7662
www.visionlossresources.com  
E-mail: info@vlrw.org

In 1993, two of Minnesota's leading providers of services for the blind (Minneapolis Society for the Blind and Saint Paul Society for the Blind), merged to create what is now Vision Loss Resources. The mission of Vision Loss Resources is to assist people who are blind or visually impaired in achieving their full potential and to enrich the lives of all persons affected by blindness or vision loss.

Areas of training include:

• Daily Living Skills
• Leisure and Exercise
• Communication and Technology
• Vocational and Academic Preparation
• Orientation and Mobility
• Counseling and Growth Groups
• Community Rehabilitation

Programs and services include:

• Rehabilitation Services
• Community Services
• Child Services
• Deaf-Blind Services
• Volunteers
• Community Library