TX - Texas Vision Services

American Foundation for the Blind [3]
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
800-232-5463 (800-AFB-LINE)
212-502-7600
888-545-8331 (Fax)
E-mail: afbinfo@afb.net [4]

AFB Center on Vision Loss [5]
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229
214-352-7222
E-mail: dallas@afb.net [6]

AFB TECH [7]
949 3rd Avenue, Suite 200
Huntington, WV 25701
304-523-8651
E-mail: AFBTECH@afb.net [8]

Find Technology Information

AFB TECH publishes AccessWorld®: Technology and People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired [9], AFB's acclaimed online technology magazine. AccessWorld® provides objective information, informed commentary, and cutting-edge news and trends about information technology and visual impairment. Find more information in the Technology [10] section of the AFB web site.

Find Information for Older Adults

The AFB Center on Vision Loss publishes Senior Site® [11], an online resource center that connects seniors, family members, and caregivers to local services and showcases a wide range of assistive living products available to people with vision loss.

Find Services and Support Groups

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) provides a "Where Can I Find…" [12] database of services in the United States and Canada. The database includes extensive resources, including computer training, rehabilitation services, volunteer services, employment and job training, support groups, and many other helpful areas.

In addition, the American Foundation for the Blind

• Provides services to, and acts as an information clearinghouse for, people who are blind or visually impaired and their families, professionals, organizations, schools, and corporations
• Stimulates research and mounts program initiatives to improve services to blind or visually impaired people
• Publishes a wide variety of professional, reference, and consumer books and videos in the AFB Bookstore [13]

Department of Ophthalmology
The Cullen Eye Institute
Low Vision Unit
7200 Cambridge Street
Houston, TX 77030
713-798-6100
www.baylorclinic.com/services/ophthalmology [23]

300 Seventh Street
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
800-262-6412 (Toll free)
940-767-0888
940-767-0893 (Fax)
www.beaconwf.com [26]
E-mail: jkoszarek@beaconwf.com [27]

The mission and purpose of the Beacon Lighthouse is to enhance economic and personal independence of people who are blind and visually impaired, primarily through employment in the manufacturing and sale of quality goods and services.

888-243-2020 (Toll free)
www.chismlowvision.com [30]
E-mail: visionsource-tyler@suddenlinkmail.com [31]

Dr. Larry Chism speaks to every patient on the telephone before scheduling a one-hour low vision evaluation appointment. Dr. Chism travels to multiple locations throughout Texas and Arizona to provide advanced low vision services. He presently sees patients on selected days in the following locations:

• Texas: Georgetown, Grand Prairie, Houston, New Braunfels, Tyler, and Austin
• Arizona: Phoenix

4245 Office Parkway
Dallas, TX 75204
214-821-2375
www.dallaslighthouse.org [35]
Contact information: www.dallaslighthouse.org/contact.php [36]

The Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides training, employment, and rehabilitative services that encourage opportunities for personal responsibility, economic independence, and social development for North Texans who are blind or visually impaired.

Rehabilitation services and training are provided for:

• Orientation and Mobility
• Adaptive computer training
• In-home assessments
• Training for seniors
• Job training and rehabilitation

Low Vision Clinic
4242 Office Parkway
Dallas, TX 75204
214-828-9900, ext. 217 (Appointments)
214-828-9901 (Fax)
www.dallasservices.org/low_vision_clinic.php [39]

The mission of Dallas Services is to enable individuals with disabilities and other special needs to achieve their potential by fostering community inclusiveness and independence.

The Low Vision Clinic provides assistance to all individuals experiencing vision problems that cannot be corrected with glasses or surgery, regardless of age, disability, or gender.

Low Vision Management
4800 South Hulen Street, Suite 146
Fort Worth, TX 76132
817-294-4834
817-294-4842 (Fax)
www.weloveyoureyes.com/low-vision [42]

200 Washington Street
El Paso, TX 79905
915-532-4495
915-532-6338 (Fax)
www.lighthouse-elpaso.com [45]
Contact information [46]

The El Paso Lighthouse works with individuals, their families, and the community by focusing on the needs, goals and capabilities of each client and removing physical, economic, and social barriers that can affect quality of life.

Programs and services include:

• Brown-McAfee-Smith Elderly Blind Program
• Fred T. Hervey Low Vision Clinic
• Stern Ocular Services Clinic
• Assistive Technology Center
• Independent Living Skills
• Family Focus Program
• Employment Services
• Radio Reading Service
• Summer Program for visually impaired students
• Recreation programs

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults [49]
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 [50]

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm [51]

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.

4616 W. Howard Lane, Suite 960
Austin, TX 78728
888-520-4467 (Toll free)
512-837-2000
512-837-2011 (Fax)
www.hims-inc.com [103]
E-mail: sales@hims-inc.com [104]

HIMS Inc. is the North American sales, marketing, and distribution office for HIMS assistive technology products helping people who are blind and have low vision. Products include Braille Sense Notetakers, Voice Sense Notetakers, Daisy Players, and desktop and portable video magnifiers.

500 North Bois D'Arc
Tyler, TX 75702
888-595-3444 (Toll free)
903-595-3444
www.horizonind.com [108]
E-mail: customerservice@horizonind.com [109]

The mission of Horizon Industries is to provide employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. At present, the customer base includes General Services Administration, US Navy, Defense Logistics Agency, Grainger, TXU Electric, On-Target, and state agencies such as Texas Department of Public Safety.

2855 Gramercy
Houston, TX 77025
713-558-8740
www.houstoneye.com/foundation [112]

The Houston Eye Associates Foundation is committed to preserving and restoring sight with comprehensive eye care surgeries, medications, and ancillary services for individuals in financial hardship; and supporting education and research initiatives for the benefit of the community.

912 West Broadway
Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-332-3341
817-332-3456 (Fax)
http://lighthousefw.org [115]
Staff e-mail contacts: http://lighthousefw.org/contact-staff.html [116]

The Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth provides essential services to people who are visually impaired through diverse programs administered by a staff of skilled and caring professionals.

The mission of Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization, is to provide services to assist legally and totally blind individuals to achieve their highest level of personal, economic self-sufficiency, consistent with their specific skills, general abilities, and interests.
Programs and services include:

• Skills Assessment
• Orientation and Mobility Training
• Information and Referral
• Senior Services
• Employment Opportunities

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Greehey Academic and Research Campus
Allied Health Sciences Building
8403 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
210-567- 8600
210-567-8609 (Fax)
www.texaslionslowvision.com [119]
Contact information [120]

The Lions' Low Vision Center of Texas is an interdisciplinary center for low vision rehabilitation. Individuals whose vision cannot be corrected by traditional means, such as eyeglasses or surgery, may benefit from services and devices to make the most of the vision they have.

The Center is a community partnership among The University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine/Department of Ophthalmology, The School of Allied Health Sciences/Department of Occupational Therapy, and the Lions Clubs International.

Low Vision Services
Ashley Risner, O.D.
3208 North University Drive
Nacogdoches, TX 75965
936-564-3937 (EYES)
Web site [123]

2305 Roosevelt Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78210-4230
800-362-4335 (Toll free)
210-533-5195
210-533-4230 (Fax)
www.salighthouse.org [126]
Contact information [127]

The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind creates opportunities for individual independence by providing rehabilitation programs and employment opportunities that measurably improve the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals.

Rehabilitation programs in the William Judson Center include Technology Evaluation and Training, WJC School of Business, Literacy, Job Readiness and Placement, and Focus on Seniors.

The William Judson Center provides direct services to more than 1,200 individuals each year, including:

• Individuals presently employed that require new skills and / or adaptive technology to overcome recently developed visual impairments in order to remain actively employed.
• College students whose visual impairment necessitates the identification of, and training on, adaptive computer technology to succeed in the classroom.
• Persons with a visual impairment or other disability that are seeking employment opportunities.
• Seniors who wish to maintain their independence and activity levels consistent with their capabilities.

Other services provided by the William Judson Center include:

• The Beacon Store
• Community Awareness
• Information and Referral
• Scholarships

Mailing Address:
11510 Sandman Street
San Antonio, TX 78216
www.lowvisionclub.com [130]
E-mail: lowvisionclub@yahoo.com [131]
Additional contacts: www.lowvisionclub.com/contact.html [132]

The San Antonio Low Vision Club is a program of the Low Vision Resource Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization assisting visually impaired people with education, mobility assistance, support groups, and socialization.

The Low Vision Club promotes independence for people with limited or no vision. In addition to providing members with access to valuable information, the club provides the visually impaired an opportunity to talk with others who share their challenges.

P.O. Box 9697
4421 Agnes Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78469
361-883-6553
888-255-8011 (Toll free)
361-883-1041 (Fax)
www.stlb.net [135]
Contact information [136]

The mission of South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is to employ, educate, and empower people who are blind or visually impaired.

Programs and services include:

• Adaptive Technology: Talking Typing Teacher, Zoomtext, JAWS, MAGic, Office 2007, Internet Explorer, Open Book, Hadley School for the Blind
• Orientation and Mobility
• Manufacturing operations centers produce a variety of products for the Federal government under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) program.

Division for Rehabilitation Services
4800 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
800-628-5115 (Toll free)
866-581-9328 (TTY)
www.dars.state.tx.us/drs [139]
E-mail: DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us [140]

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

4800 North Lamar Blvd., Suite 340
Austin, TX 78756-3178
800-628-5115 (Toll free)
www.dars.state.tx.us/dbs/index.shtml [141]
E-mail: DBSinfo@dars.state.tx.us [142]
Find an office in your area: www.dars.state.tx.us/dbs/DBSoffices.asp [143]

The Division for Blind Services (DBS) assists blind or visually impaired individuals and their families. Depending upon their goals and needs, DBS offers services to help regain independence or find a job.

DBS staff work in partnership with Texans who are blind or visually impaired to get high quality jobs, live independently, or help a child receive the training needed to be successful in school and beyond.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
[147]1100 West 45th Street
Austin, TX 78756
800-872-5273 (Toll free)
512-454-8631
512-206-9451 (TDD)
512-206-9450 (Fax)

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) offers a broad range of educational services provides useful resources and links of national relevance, including adaptive and assistive technology; curriculum and publications; instructional and learning resources; physical education; and recreation and leisure skills.

3602 West Dallas Street
Houston, TX 77019-0435
713-527-9561
713-284-8451 (Fax)
www.houstonlighthouse.org [152]
E-mail: houstonlighthouse@houstonlighthouse.org [153]

The Lighthouse of Houston is a private, nonprofit education and service center dedicated to assisting blind and visually impaired people to live independently.

The Lighthouse offers a variety of educational programs, community services. and outpatient rehabilitation for people who are blind and visually impaired:

• The Center for Education & Adaptive Technology and the Community Services Center are located at 3602 West Dallas. These centers are the main site for Lighthouse programs and services.
• The Lighthouse of Houston Industrial Division is located at 3530 West Dallas. The Industrial Division produces disinfectants, detergents, glass cleaners, and floor care products to fulfill Federal and State contracts.
• Children's recreation activities include swimming lessons, summer camp, Beeping Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Carnival, and Saturday recreation programs.
• Adult recreation activities include Dragon Boat Racing, swimming lessons, and fitness programs.
• A Vision Rehabilitation Clinic
• A Certified Diabetes Education Program
• Licensed Adult Day Care
• The Lighthouse also provides Residential Services at its Living Centers.

2307 Business Center Drive
Austin, TX 78764-3297
888-217-7232 (Toll free)
512-442-2329
512-442-5498 (Fax)
www.austinlighthouse.org [156]
E-mail: info@austinlighthouse.org [157]
Additional contacts [158]

The mission of the Travis Association for the Blind, otherwise known as the Austin Lighthouse, is to assist people who are blind or vision impaired to attain the skills they need to become gainfully employed in the community. It supplies various products to thousands of customers nationwide.

Additional programs and services include:

• Vocational training
• Braille classes
• Beginning computer
• Beginner keyboarding
• Vision aids for the blind and visually impaired

Digital Audio Books for the Blind
Tom Peters, Project Coordinator
6106 South Stillhouse Road
Oak Grove, MO 64075
816-616-6746
www.unabridged.info [161]
E-mail: tpeters@tapinformation.com [162]
State contact information: www.unabridged.info/contact.htm [163]

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.

www.va.gov [166] 
Contact the VA [167]

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 [168]: 
Use this search feature to locate VA facility-related information quickly and accurately.

Fact Sheets about VA Services [169]:
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 [170]:
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) [171]:
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

Center for Sight Enhancement
Stanley Woo, O.D.
4901 Calhoun Road
Houston, TX 77204
713-743-0799
www.opt.uh.edu/uei/services/lowvision [175]
Online appointment form: www.opt.uh.edu/uei/appointments.cfm [176]

The Center for Sight Enhancement provides multidisciplinary service, training, and cutting-edge technology in low vision rehabilitation to help people of all ages with vision loss lead independent and productive lives.

The Robert Cizik Eye Clinic
The Center for Visual Rehabilitation
Bhavani Iyer, O.D., FAAO, Director
Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza
6400 Fannin Street, 18th Floor
Houston, TX 77030
713-559-5200
713-795-5292 (Fax)
http://www.cizikeye.org/low_vision.htm [179]

The Center for Visual Rehabilitation specializes in helping individuals cope with vision loss and maximize their potential to live independently.

The professional team includes a low vision optometrist and a specially trained occupational therapist to help patients maximize the use of their remaining vision.

The team provides comprehensive low vision evaluations, scotoma (blind spot) awareness training, and use of low vision aids to facilitate reading, writing and other activities of daily living. Rehabilitation is offered for individuals with stroke and other neurological conditions that create visual deficits.

617 State Street
Garland, TX 75040
972-272-1615
972-494-5002 (Fax)
www.vavtx.org [182]
E-mail: info@vavtx.org [183]

Visual Aid Volunteers, Inc. is a non-profit braille production center that serves clients throughout the United States. Braille transcription services include:

• Textbooks
• School projects
• Tests
• Restaurant menus
• Novels and other literary works
• Hotel information
• Church hymnals, bulletins, and lessons
• Business documents

2001 Austin Street
San Angelo, TX 76903
325-653-4231
325-657-9367 (Fax)
www.lighthousefortheblind.org [187]
Contact information [188]

The West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind is a manufacturing facility that employs people who are blind or have severely impaired vision.

The Lighthouse is primarily engaged in the production of writing instruments and over the years has developed several unique pens for niche markets. They produce various types of pens from post-consumer recycled plastic and are currently developing a line of biodegradable pens.