GA - Georgia Vision Services

P.O. Box 13526
Macon, GA 31208-3526
478-742-7956
478-742-9368 (Fax)
http://blindresources.info [3]
E-mail: info@blindresources.info [4]

BlindResources.info provides blind computer users with important information, product reviews, resources, and real-world results with regard to software usage for the blind, script implementation and usage for Jaws For Windows, and additional information pertinent to the blind computer user.

739 West Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-875-9011
404-607-0062 (Fax)
www.cviga.org [9]
E-mail: info@cviga.org [10]

The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) is Georgia's largest comprehensive, fully accredited, private facility providing rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Since 1962, the Center has grown to serve as a model of innovative services for people who have a wide range of vision impairments from low vision to total blindness.

The mission of the Center for the Visually Impaired is to offer comprehensive services to promote independence with dignity and the preservation of self worth for individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.

VisAbility [11] is CVI's nonprofit, accessible, retail shop that serves people of all ages with vision loss. The only store of its kind in the Southeast, VisAbility provides immediate access to low vision aids, assistive technology, and other adaptive devices. VisAbility is located on the first floor of CVI's Midtown Atlanta facility.

Additional agency include:

• Low Vision Services
• Adult Classes and Training
• Orientation and Mobility
• Personal and Home Management Skills
• Diabetes Education
• Communication Skills
• Braille
• Technology Instruction
• Vocational Services
• Youth Services
• Early Childhood and Preschool Services
• Support Groups

1365B Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-778-2020
www.eyecenter.emory.edu [14]  
E-mail: eyecenter@emory.edu [15]  

The mission of the Department of Ophthalmology and Emory Eye Center is to conduct pioneering research into blinding eye diseases, educate and train eye professionals, and provide excellent patient care.

850 Gaines School Road
Athens, GA 30605
888-519-3988 (Toll free)
706-208-7132
www.georgiacounciloftheblind.org [18]
E-mail: gcbfyi@yahoo.com [19]

The Georgia Council of the Blind (GCB) is a non-profit consumer organization affiliated with the American Council of the Blind. For over 40 years, GCB has provided a forum for views of the blind, improving education and rehabilitation, and broadening vocational opportunities for the visually impaired. Peer support is an important part of GCB, as it encourages and assists the blind in developing their abilities and potential to become independent and responsible citizens in their communities.

GCB activities and programs include educational programs, legislative action, scholarships, peer support, technology, exhibits, news letters, social activities, and braille.

Rehabilitation Services
148 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Suite 510, Sussex Place
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-657-3000
404-657-3086 (Fax)
www.vocrehabga.org [22]
Office contacts: www.vocrehabga.org/contact1.html [23]
E-mail: rehab@dol.state.ga.us [24]

Georgia Industries for the Blind
www.vocrehabga.org/gibfacts.html [25]
229-248-2666
E-mail: gib@dol.state.ga.us [26]

5582 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA 30341
800-718-SITE (7483) (Toll free)
404-325-3630
404-636-5549 (Fax)
www.lionslighthouse.org [30]
Contact information [31]

Provides eyeglasses, eye surgeries, and hearing aids to the uninsured and the working poor in the state of Georgia.

1000 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 240
Morrow, GA 30260
800-949-0060 (Toll free)
770-961-9866
770-961-9965 (Fax)
www.goaeyes.com [34]
E-mail: goaeyes@aol.com [19]

The Georgia Optometric Association publishes the Low Vision Directory (.pdf) [35] and a listing of Low Vision Doctors in Georgia (.pdf) [36].

The Low Vision Directory provides the indvidual with low vision or his/her representative the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding his or her rehabilitation plan. Sections include service providers; driving regulations; agencies and organizations; listing of low vision optometrists by area in the state.

3760 Village Main Street
Loganville, GA 30052-8618
678-475-7879
www.glfb.org [39]
E-mail: ministries@glfb.org [19]

A free cassette tape lending library with 3,000+ tapes containing Christian books, recorded by volunteer readers, messages by outstanding Bible teachers and conference speakers, and sermons by well-known pastors and teachers.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults [43]
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 [44]

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm [45]

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.

Department of Ophthalmology
1120 15th Street
Augusta, GA 30912-3400
706-721-2020
www.georgiahealth.edu/som/ophth [101]
E-mail: lulrich@mail.mcg.edu [102]

P.O. Box 81
Savannah, GA 31401-4021
912-236-4473
www.sabinc.org [105]
E-mail: jking@sabinc.org [106] (Jim King, Executive Director)  

Savannah Association for the Blind, Incorporated (SAB) is a private, nonprofit agency serving the general public in southeastern Georgia and coastal South Carolina. The mission of Savannah Association for the Blind, Inc. is to provide rehabilitation services designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals in all walks of life function independently in their homes and in the community.

Programs and services include:

• Low Vision examinations conducted by a licensed optometrist who prescribes highly specialized low vision aids to maximize the use of residual vision. As appropriate, practical applications for these low vision aids are incorporated in the training provided in the other components.
• Orientation and Mobility instruction helps each individual learn to travel with others using the sighted guide technique and to travel independently using a white cane.
• Communication Skills enhances independence through braille, audio recorders, large print, typing, computer skills, writing checks, and balancing a checkbook.
• Social Services assures a firm foundation for independent living through individualized counseling, group counseling, family counseling, and self-advocacy training.
• Senior Day Services provide supports for elderly individuals, (and their families, if present), who do not function fully independently, but who do not need 24-hour nursing care.

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

3830 South Cobb Drive, Suite 125
Smyrna, GA 30080
770-432-7280
770-432-5457 (Fax)
www.vrsga.org [118]
E-mail: Contact Information [119]

Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia offers a variety of programs and services to its clients, including:

• Low vision clinic
• Vision rehabilitation
• Employment assistance
• Counseling and support
• Adaptive aids
• Computer access program
• Media center
• Public education