Getting Started

6540 SE Foster Road
Portland, OR 97206
503-774-6387
503-774-0585 (Fax)
www.blindenterprises.com
E-mail: blindent@aol.com

Blind Enterprises of Oregon (BEO) is a not-for-profit organization located in Portland, Oregon, providing name tapes and other embroidered products manufactured by blind and visually impaired individuals.

The mission of BEO is to promote opportunities that empower blind and visually impaired individuals to achieve their full potential in the work force. BEO provides on-the-job training and steady employment for blind and visually impaired employees.

Blindskills, Inc.
P.O. Box 5181
Salem, OR 97304-0181
800-860-4224 (Toll free)
503-581-4224
503-581-0178 (Fax)
E-mail: info@blindskills.com

The mission of Blindskills, Inc. is to disseminate resources and information to blind and visually impaired people and their families. Blindskills addresses this mission through its toll-free help line, web site, and bi-monthly publication, DIALOGUE: A World of ideas for Visually Impaired People of All Ages, which is available in five formats. Blindskills, Inc. also provides a toll-free number that can be used by anyone in the United States or Canada. 

628 North Arthur Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
800- 662-9226 (Toll free)
509-735-0699
509-735-4074 (Fax)
www.edithbishelcenter.org
E-mail: info@edithbishelcenter.org  

The Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is focused on the special requirements of the blind and visually impaired in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon.

Programs and services include:

• Specialized low vision testing
• Training in daily living for the blind and visually impaired and their families
• Technology training
• Reading and writing devices, magnifiers, tape machines
• Braille and tape library
• Computer software for the blind and visually impaired
• Social and support programs

Oregon Health and Science University
Center for Health and Healing, 11th Floor
3303 SW Bond Avenue
Portland, OR 97239
503-494-3098
Web site

Clinic services include:

• Comprehensive vision evaluations
• Counseling to help patients adapt to visual impairment
• Recommendation and dispensing of visual aids
• Referrals to community resources
• Provision of support services to patients and their families

Low Vision Rehabilitation
Scott M. Walters, O.D.
1022 NW 6th Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
800-405-EYES (3937) (Toll free)
541-476-4545
www.eyecaregroup.net
E-mail: info@eyecaregroup.net

Low vision testing is available. Telescopic, microscopic, and new computer-based devices can be utilized to maximize visual performance for visually impaired patients. Oregon Law permits selected visually impaired individuals to drive with the use of bioptic telescopes.

Low Vision Services
Jessica Norris, O.D.
2715 SW Willetta Street, Suite B
Albany, OR 97321
541-926-5848
541-926-2873 (Fax)
www.eyecareassociates.net
E-mail: office@eyecareassociates.net

Services include a complete examination by an eye care professional and evaluation of low vision aids, including magnifying spectacles, magnifiers, telescopes, and closed circuit televisions.

70 North Latah Street
Boise, Idaho 83706
800-546-6889 (Toll free)
208-338-LION (5466)
208-38-6543 (Fax)
www.idaholions.org
E-mail: jay@idaholions.org

The Idaho-Eastern Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation was established in 1969 to encourage and promote sight and hearing conservation projects to the citizens of Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon. The mission of the foundation is to be a humanitarian organization dedicated to serve our Idaho communities’ Lions clubs, and the world, as an outstanding quality provider of sight and hearing assistance.

Primary services include The Idaho Lions Eye Bank, the Lions Mobile Health Screening Unit, Diabetes Awareness, The Lions Hearing Aid Bank, and the Lions personal assistance fund.

Jeff Lann, Executive Director
P.O. Box 157
Sandy, OR 97055
503-668-6195
www.oralhull.org
E-mail: oralhull@teleport.com

The Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind provides year-round recreational, social, and informal educational opportunities for persons with blindness and low vision. The facilities are located in a 23-acre park and include a lodge, camping, and meeting facilities.

535 SE 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
888-202-5463 (Toll free)
971-673-1588
971-673-1577 (TTY)
971-673-1570 (Fax)
www.oregon.gov/Blind/index.shtml
E-mail: ocb.mail@state.or.us

The mission of the Oregon Commission for the Blind is to achieve full inclusion of visually impaired people in society by helping them make informed choices about individual goals and plans that can lead to successful employment, independent living, and social self-sufficiency.

Programs and services include:

• Vocational Services
• Career Center Services
• Business Services
• Independent Living
• Senior Services
• Youth Services
• Business Enterprises
• Technology Center

Administration Office
500 Summer Street, NE
Salem, OR 97301-1018
503-945-5880
503-945-5894 (TTY)
503-945-8991 (Fax)
www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr[link opens in new window]

Portland Vision Center
Christi Closson, Chief Low Vision Services
511 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 500
Forest Grove, OR 97116
503-352-2500
503-224-2323
503-241-0222 (Fax)
Web site

Forest Grove Vision Center
Christi Closson, Chief Low Vision Services
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
503-352-2020
503-352-2929 (Fax)
Web site

Digital Audio Books for the Blind
Tom Peters, Project Coordinator
6106 South Stillhouse Road
Oak Grove, MO 64075
816-616-6746
www.unabridged.info
E-mail: tpeters@tapinformation.com
State contact information: www.unabridged.info/contact.htm

Unabridged provides narrated downloadable digital audio books for eligible individuals living in California, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont who are blind, visually impaired, or physically challenged.

The goal of Unabridged is to develop and evaluate a multi-state program that provides a downloadable library of narrated digital audio book content and services to blind, low vision, and physically challenged library users in the participating states.

The Unabridged collection contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles. Current popular fiction is the strength of the collection. There are books for children, tweens, and teens, as well as old-time radio programs.

1853 SW Airport Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97333
541-754-4002
541-738-6505 (Fax)
www.viewplus.com
E-mail contacts

ViewPlus Technologies provides a range of products that make mainstream technology accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired, including braille printers, braille translation software, and braille math access software.

ViewPlus provides many products that can be coupled with braille printers, including the following packages: Beginning Braille Aide, Math Made Simple, Inclusive Tactile Learning, and Office Production Assistant.

Low Vision Services
9225 SW Hall Boulevard
Portland, OR 97223
800-448-2232 (Toll free)
503-684-8389
503-684-9359 (Fax)
www.visionnw.com
E-mail: marthaz@visionw.com

Vision Northwest serves people with vision loss in Oregon and Southwest Washington. They sponsor a network of vision loss support groups throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. These groups provide support and information to individuals dealing with sight loss.

Additional programs and services include:

• Low vision accessory store
• Information and referral
• Descriptive video lending library
• Independent living skills
• Individualized peer counseling