CO - Colorado Vision Services

11110 Fort Street, Suite 103
Omaha, NE 68164
866-699-4357 (Toll free)
402-491-3191
402-491-3221 (Fax)
www.accessibility.net [3]
E-mail: info@accessibility.net [4]

Accessibility.net, Inc. is a full-service company providing technology solutions for persons who are blind or who have low vision in the states of Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Accessibility.net carries state-of-the-art solutions for a variety of needs, including screen readers, software magnification, scan-and-read programs, electronic note takers, braille displays, braille translation software, braille embossers, custom-built computer systems, and daily living products for persons with low vision.

Their service department provides installation and training, their technical staff is available for telephone support, and they provide remote support and training to anyone in the United States.

www.adaptiveadventures.org [12]
E-mail: info@adaptiveadventures.org [13]

Adaptive Adventures - Evergreen
P.O. Box 2245
Evergreen, CO 80437
303/877-679-2770
303-670-8290 (Fax)

Adaptive Adventures - Chicago
2616 Wilmette Ave.
Wilmette, IL 60091
866-679-2770 (Toll free)
847-251-8445

Adaptive Adventures is a mobile, non resort-based organization that "brings programs to people" as opposed to "bringing people to programs."

Their programs offer opportunities for people with physical disabilities including, but not limited to: amputations, paraplegia, quadriplegia, birth defects, cerebral palsy, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, strokes, and visual impairments.

1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80202
303-831-0117
888-775-2221 (Toll free)
www.acbco.org [18]
E-mail: barbara.boyer@acbco.org [19]

“Accepting and Supporting All Alternatives for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Colorado”

ACBCO is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that has been dedicated to promoting the independence, equality, and opportunities for all blind and visually impaired individuals in the state of Colorado since 1978. Programs are at no cost to those who request assistance.

ACBCO provides: 

• Toll Free Hotline for information and referral services
• Sight for Seniors Support Program with personal, individual support as well as groups
• Vision Link Support for non-seniors with personal, individual attention
• Peer Mentoring
• Emergency Needs
• Public Awareness and Education Programs/Speakers
• Educational Scholarships for the blind/visually impaired
• Children’s Braille Book Program
• Legislative Information
• Advocacy for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Education and distribution of adaptive aids
• CCTV Loaner Program
• Low-cost reconditioned computer program

P.O. Box 1071
Buena Vista, CO 81211
719-395-2854

The Arkansas Valley Low Vision Center assistance program provides grants of up to $200 for qualified individuals toward the cost of eye exams, purchase of glasses, and purchase of other low vision aids.

Boulder Office and Studio
2200 Central Avenue, Suite A
Boulder, CO 80301
877-443-2001 (Toll free)
303-786-7777
303- 939-8013 (Fax)
www.aincolorado.org [24]
Contact information [25]

The Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) provides free audio access to newspapers, magazines,and other print materials to blind, visually impaired and print disabled Coloradoans of all ages.

2629 West Main Street, Suite 190
Littleton, CO 80120
http://cdifferent.org [28]
Contact information [29]

The C Different Foundation (CDF) works to create opportunities for visually impaired athletes to participate in athletic events. CDF also seeks out other types of opportunities for athletes to share their message. CDF promotes total integration for blind and visually impaired athletes for the benefit of society in all countries worldwide.

6805 W. 88th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80021
866-866-9100 (Toll free)
720-214-0339
http://capabilities.com [34]
E-mail: info@capabilities.com [35]

Capabilities provides a wide range of lifestyle products for health, comfort, and independence. Low vision products include daily living aids, large print products, magnifiers, talking clocks and watches, lighting, sunshields, writing aids, recorders and players, telephones, and video magnifiers.

2233 West Shepperd Avenue
Littleton, CO 80120
800-401-4632 (Toll free)
303-778-1130
303-778-1598 (Fax)
www.cocenter.org [38] 
E-mail: ccb@cocenter.org [39]  

Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the Colorado Center's training techniques and teaching methods are based on the philosophy of the NFB which states that, "with proper training and opportunity, blind people can compete on terms of equality with their sighted peers."

Programs include:

• Residential Independence Training Program for adults
• Training and support for blind seniors
• A comprehensive Randolph-Sheppard training program for blind entrepreneurs
• Career exploration
• Summer programs for college-age, high school, and middle-school students

2211 West Evans, Building B
Denver, CO 80223
303-866-4150 (Voice & TDD)
303-866-4905 (Fax)
www.cdhs.state.co.us/dvr [42]

Training Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired [43]

Services include:

• Adaptive communications
• Adaptive technology
• College Bound Instruction
• Daily Living Skills
• Low Vision
• Orientation and Mobility

729 South Tejon Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-471-8181
719-471-7829 (Fax)
866-320-3975 (Video phone)
www.thecsic.com [47]

The Colorado Springs Independence Center (CSIC) was founded by and for people with disabilities. CSIC provides a variety of services aimed at empowering people with disabilities to maintain their independence within the community. Our primary services include Peer Support, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Information and Referral.

Low Vision Support Groups
Teri Ulrich, Older Individuals with Blindness (OIB) Specialist
719-471-8181 x126
E-mail: TUlrich@thecsic.com [4]

ViewPointe
Small Family Dining Area
555 Rockrimmon Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Second Tuesday of the month
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Village at Skyline
Skyline Room
2365 Patriot Heights
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Second Thursday of the month
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Colorado Springs Senior Center
Computer Room
1514 North Hancock
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Third Tuesday of the month
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Aspen Mine Center
Conference Room
166 East Bennett Avenue
Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Third Wednesday of the month
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Low Vision Rehabilitation
7586 West Jewell Avenue, Suite 104
Lakewood, CO 80232
303-233-7575
303-233-4740 (Fax)
www.drlervick.com [50]  
E-mail: lervickdaleg@qwest.net [51]

3307 South College Avenue, Suite 108
Fort Collins, CO 80525
866-407-9990 (Toll free)
970-407-9999
970-207-9844 (Fax)
www.ensightskills.org [54]
E-mail: ensight@qwest.net [55]  

Ensight's mission is to provide clients who are blind or have low vision with the opportunity to enhance their life skills, independence, and self-confidence in a safe environment through adaptive technology and training.
Programs and services include:

• Daily living skills
• Functional assessments
• Follow-up visits and training
• Counseling

Curtis Strong Center for the Visually Impaired
Operated by the Ensight Skills Center
918 13th Street, Suite 4
Greeley, CO 80631
970-353-9417
970-353-6459 (Fax)
www.ensightskills.org/curtis_strong.htm [56]
E-mail: ensight@qwest.net [55]

The Ensight Skills Center of Fort Collins operates the Curtis Strong Center in Greeley. The Curtis Strong Center for the Visually Impaired was established in August 2004 and offers comprehensive low vision evaluations; optical and non-optical adaptive devices; and customized life skills training.

E-mail: president@eyecyclecolorado.org [4]

EyeCycle Colorado offers organized tandem rides in and around the Denver Metro area. They also offer multi-day rides for more experienced sighted captain and blind stoker teams.

EyeCycle Colordo recruits and trains sighted captains (front seat of the tandem bike) and teams them with a blind or visually impaired stoker (back seat of the tandem bike).

For Visually Impaired and Blind Skiers
P.O. Box 18944
Denver, CO 80218-0944
866-860-0972 (Toll free)
303-860-0972
www.foresightskiguides.org [61]
E-mail: info@foresightskiguides.org [62]

Foresight Ski Guides, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to making challenge recreation opportunities through snow sports both affordable and accessible to visually impaired and blind skiers.

420 South Howes, Suite B300
Fort Collins, CO 80521
877-627-1425
www.globalexplorers.org [65]
E-mail: LeadingTheWay@globalexplorers.org [4]

Global Explorers is a nonprofit organization that offers educational, responsible travel experiences for middle school, high school, and college-aged students and their educators.

The Leading the Way [66] program, developed in partnership with blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, is open to blind, visually impaired, and sighted students aged 14-21. The program integrates science, service, leadership, culture, and travel adventure. Each expedition involves a preparatory curriculum prior to travel and a service leadership project post-travel.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults [69]
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 [70]

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm [71]

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.

Thomas W. Theune, O.D.
Library Plaza
5614 North Union Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-471-3200
719-471-3210 (Fax)
www.lowvision.org/lvs_sc.htm [123]
E-mail: twtheune@prodigy.net [124]  

Low Vision Services of Southern Colorado provides consultations to help patients understand their own vision loss and meet their desired goals. Hands-on experiences with the latest devices are included in the following areas:

• Reading and writing
• Distance viewing
• Task and room lighting
• Glare protection and control
• Non-optical devices
• Technology

P.O. Box 1290
Winter Park, CO 80482
970-726-1540
970-726-4112 (Fax)
www.nscd.org [127]
E-mail: info@nscd.org [128]

With specially trained staff and its own adaptive equipment lab, the NSCD teaches a variety of winter and summer sports and activities to individuals with a range of physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral diagnoses, including vision impairment and blindness.

NSCD offers rafting, sailing, therapeutic horseback riding, mountain biking, adaptive cycling, camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing, in-line skating, rock climbing, baseball camps, and more.

P.O. Box 33150
Denver, CO 80233
800-369-RIDE (7433) (Toll free)
303-452-1212
303-252-4610 (Fax)
www.narha.org [131]
E-mail contacts: www.narha.org/Contact/Staff.asp [132] 

Since 1969, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA), has provided Equine Assisted Activity and Therapy (EAAT) programs in the United States and Canada through its network of nearly 800 member centers.

27 Montebello Road
Pueblo, CO 81001
800-934-EYES (3937) (Toll free)
719-545-1530
719-542-6852 (Fax)
www.rockymountaineyecenter.com [135]
E-mail: k.allen@rmecpc.com [136]

In Colorado: Pueblo – Northside; Pueblo – Southside; Canon City; La Junta; Alamosa; Salida; Trinidad

In New Mexico: Raton

c/o Peak Vista Senior Health Center
5636 North Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-329-7171
Web site [139] 

Second Sight Vision Services provides non-medical help to people who are blind or have low vision who want to learn to live more independently.

Programs and services include:

• Training in cooking, handling money, and outdoor travel
• Training in the use of specialized equipment, including computer programs
• Support groups
• Retail store that offers a range of adaptive devices
• Community resources and referrals

Second Sight Vision Services is available to all individuals with visual challenges, regardless of age.

Low Vision and Blindness Alternatives
130 Sunset Hills
Grand Junction, CO 81503
970-241-4619
www.secondsightllc.net [142]
E-mail: second.sightllc@yahoo.com [4]

The following services are available in western Colorado:

• In-home Daily Living Skills Instruction
• Orientation and Mobility Instruction
• Demonstration and sales of a variety of CCTVs and scanners/readers
• Consultation/In-service Training to agencies and organizations

Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities
1631 Mesa Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-471-4810 ext. 15
800-659-2656 (TTY)
800-659-3656 (ACSII)
www.resourcecenter.usga.org/TeeOff [145]
E-mail: resourcecenter@usga.org [146]

The USGA Resource Center works to make the game of golf more accessible for individuals with disabilities by providing information to potential or current golfers with disabilities and other interested parties. The Resource Center is funded and managed by the USGA in partnership with other national organizations.

The Resource Center also posts Success Stories [147] about individuals with a range of disabilities, including blindness and low vision, who have succeeded in the game of golf.

Vision Rehabilitation Specialist
333 South Allison Parkway, Suite 120
Lakewood, CO 80226
303-989-2020
303-980-5283 (Fax)
www.doctorpolitzer.com [150]  

Areas of expertise include low vision, vision rehabilitation for patients with neurological disorders, contact lenses, family practice, and diagnosis and treatment of eye disease.

Digital Audio Books for the Blind
Tom Peters, Project Coordinator
6106 South Stillhouse Road
Oak Grove, MO 64075
816-616-6746
www.unabridged.info [153]
E-mail: tpeters@tapinformation.com [154]
State contact information: www.unabridged.info/contact.htm [155]

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.

33 North Institute Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-630-0422
719-630-0616 (Fax)
www.usaba.org [159]
E-mail: mlucas@usaba.org [160]

The United States Association of Blind Athletes is a community-based organization of the United States Olympic Committee. USBA aims to increase the number and quality of grassroots-through-competitive, world-class athletic opportunities for Americans who are blind or visually impaired.

The USABA's web site has information on adapting sports for athletes who are blind or have low vision [161][links opens in new window]. These sports include swimming, skiing, judo, golf, athletics, wrestling, cycling, and more.

www.va.gov [164] 
Contact the VA [165]

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 [166]: 
Use this search feature to locate VA facility-related information quickly and accurately.

Fact Sheets about VA Services [167]:
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 [168]:
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) [169]:
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