WA - Washington Vision Services

628 North Arthur Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
800- 662-9226 (Toll free)
509-735-0699
509-735-4074 (Fax)
www.edithbishelcenter.org [3]
E-mail: info@edithbishelcenter.org [4]  

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

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults [9]
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 [10]

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm [11]

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.

810-A Hiawatha Place South
Seattle, WA 98144
206-784-5619
www.nwlincs.org/kaizen [66]
E-mail: kaizen@literacyworks.org [67]

Kaizen addresses the specialized instructional needs of blind and visually impaired immigrants and refugees learning English as a Second Language (ESL).

1212 North Howard Street
Spokane, WA 99201
509-328-9116
509-328-8965 (Fax)
www.lilacblind.org [70]
E-mail: info@lilacblind.org [71]

The mission of Lilac Services for the Blind is to provide services and equipment that will allow persons who are blind and visually impaired to maintain their independence and continue living full and active lives.

Programs and services include:

• In-home independent living instruction
• Adaptive aids
• Adaptive computer training
• Braille services
• Support groups
• Low vision equipment
• Counseling for clients and their families

4001 North Cook Street
Spokane, WA 99207
509-484-4259
No web site at present

Low Vision Rehabilitation and In-Home Occupational Therapy
409 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
509-576-0800
509-452-0936 (Fax)
No web site at present

Mountainview Home Health delivers in-home low vision training and services. Services are covered by Medicare and include, but are not limited to, the following: location and eccentric viewing training; fixation; gross and fine scanning; reading and writing ergonomics; proper use of lighting and magnification; functional reading and writing; and home modifications.

12811 NW 29th Court
Vancouver, WA 98685
360-326-8031
360-397-0491 (Fax)
www.nextlevelat.com [78]
E-mail contact [79]

Next Level specializes in technology solutions for those with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Michael Hooks, president and founder, has over ten years of experience teaching and working in the field of blindness and low vision.

2510 East Evergreen Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98661-4323
360-693-1511
360-693-6891 (Fax)
www.pianotuningschool.org [84]
Contact information [85]

The School of Piano Technology for the Blind provides specialized quality education to blind and visually impaired individuals, leading to successful careers in piano technology.

Graduates perform quality tuning, regulation, and repairs to working parts of both vertical and grand pianos. Many graduates start their own small businesses that serve the piano care requirements of their clients by regularly tuning and repairing their instruments.

2501 South Plum Street
Seattle, WA 98144
206-322-4200
206-324-1388 (TDD/TTY)
www.seattlelighthouse.org [89]
Contact information [90]

The Seattle Lighthouse is a private, not-for-profit agency providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deaf-blind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support since 1918.

Programs and services include:

• Supported Employment Program
• Orientation and Mobility Training
• Computer Training Program
• Housing Support
• Deaf-Blind Technology Training Center
• Deaf-Blind Retreat
• Deaf-Blind Community Classes
• Deaf-Blind Independent Living Skills Training and Education

9709 Third Avenue NE, #100
Seattle, WA 98115-2027
800-458-4888 (Toll free)
206-525-5556
206-525-0422 (Fax)
www.sightconnection.org [93]
E-mail: info@sightconnection.org [94]

SightConnection is a nonprofit agency that offers products and services to people living with vision loss or blindness. By providing individuals with valuable tools, life skills, and community resources, we help them remain active, vital, and independent.

Services and programs include:

• Assistive Technology
• CCTV Information
• Counseling
• Educational Programs
• Information and Referral
• Low Vision Clinic
• In-Home Independent Living Skills Training
• Training in Safe Independent Travel
• Volunteer Support
• Vision Loss Support Groups

At the SightConnection store, products include books and reading accessories, braille tools, calendars, writing and recordkeeping, canes, cassette players and audio accessories, CCTVs and video magnifiers, clocks and watches, cooking and kitchen, eyewear and eye patches, games and playing cards, health & personal care, home & office, lighting, magnifiers, Spanish talking products, telephones.

Read our interview [95] with Joyce Shoemaker, Retail Operations Manager at the SightConnection store.

A Lending Library for the Blind and Disabled
840 S. 192nd Street
Seatac, WA 98148-2208
206-243-7377
www.tapeministries.org [99]
E-mail: tmnw@tapeministries.org [100]

Tape Ministries Northwest is a lending library of wholesome, inspirational and Christian books on tape, including 1,251 Christian books, Decision Magazine, and Our Daily Bread monthly devotional. Tape Ministries mails tapes nationwide to people who are blind, visually impaired, and physically or developmentally disabled. All services are free.

300 NE 117th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98684
360-254-3344
360-254-3892 (Fax)
888-216-1912 (Toll free)
www.thelowvisionstore.net [105]
Contact information and directions [106]

The Low Vision Store sells magnifiers and the newest electronic reading aids, as well as easy computer tools and used CCTVs. Always a source for choice and personal assistance, the Store’s new website features multi-media product overviews; Patty’s Journal, a blog on Living with Low Vision; and an easy, online shopping experience backed by years of trusted and informed service.

www.va.gov [109] 
Contact the VA [110]

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 [111]: 
Use this search feature to locate VA facility-related information quickly and accurately.

Fact Sheets about VA Services [112]:
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 [113]:
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) [114]:
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

866-866-0162 V/TTY: Toll-Free Hotline for Washington State residents

Washington Assistive Technology Alliance's web site offers useful information about Assistive Technology, including an introduction to What is Assistive Technology? [118]

WATA provides a listing of vendors who sell assistive and adaptive technology products [119] for people with low vision and blindness. The vendors sell software, computer accessories, telephone technology, pill organizers, mobility aids, Braille products, magnifiers, lamps, watches, clocks, cooking gadgets, and many more items.

If you live in Washington state, there is also a hot line you can call for assistance in finding which assistive technology products could help you, and how to get training and perhaps funding for using these products.

P.O. Box 40933
Olympia, WA 98504-0933
800-552-7103 (Toll free)
206-721-4056 (TTY)
www.dsb.wa.gov [122]
E-mail: information@dsb.wa.gov [123]

The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) has offices in Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima.
Contact the DSB office nearest you [124]. 

DSB is a state rehabilitation agency that offers assistance to persons who are blind or visually impaired.

DSB also provides a range of services for employers interested in accommodating or hiring workers with vision loss.

Lions Low Vision Clinic
Christi Closson, O.D.
Old Main Building
2214 East 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-696-6321, ext. 120 (Appointments)
360-737-2120 (Fax)
Web site [128]

The Washington State School for the Blind Lions Low Vision Clinic provides low vision evaluations for individuals. These evaluations are provided at no cost to the patient. The clinic is a collaborative effort between the Washington State School for the Blind, the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing, and Pacific University College of Optometry.

2021 9th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-2783
800-542-0866 (Toll free)
206-615-0400
206-615-0418 (TTY)
www.wtbbl.org [131]
E-mail: wtbbl@sos.wa.gov [132]

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library provides a free public library service which includes easy access to the informational and recreational reading materials needed by individuals in the State of Washington who are unable to read standard print material.