VT - Vermont Vision Services

P.O. Box 669
Manchester Center, VT 05255
800-859-0270 (Toll free orders)
(802) 362-3612
(802) 362-1670 (Fax)
www.aisquared.com [3]
E-mail: sales@aisquared.com [4]

Ai Squared offers a range of screen magnification and screen reading software products for people with blindess, visual impairment, and low vision, including ZoomText, ZoomText USB, the ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard, and ZoomText Express.

76 Pearl Street, Suite 201
Essex Junction, VT 05452
802-865-0360
802-865-0363 (Fax)
Senior HelpLine:
800-642-5119 (In Addison, Chittenden, Franklin & Grand Isle Counties)
800-639-2084 (All other areas)
www.cvaa.org [9]
E-mail: info@cvaa.org [10]

Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, Inc. is a private, non-profit, United Way organization that supports the efforts of people 60 and older in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties to remain active, healthy, financially secure, and in control of their own lives.

Services include:

• Caregiver Support
• Case Management
• Healthy Aging Programs
• Nutrition Counseling
• Senior HelpLine
• Senior Community Meals
• Transportation
• Volunteer Opportunities

Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
Weeks Building
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2304
802-241-2210
802-241-3359 (Fax)
www.dad.state.vt.us/dbvi [13] [link opens in new window]
E-mail and office contacts: www.dad.state.vt.us/dbvi/Locations.htm [14]

The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) has been offering services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired since 1927. Located within the Agency of Human Services and the Department of Aging and Disabilities, DBVI is the designated state unit to provide vocational rehabilitation services.

DBVI's Mission is to support the efforts of Vermonters who are blind and visually impaired to achieve or sustain their economic independence, self reliance, and social integration to a level consistent with their interests, abilities and informed choices.

Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living
Weeks Building
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-1601
www.ddas.Vermont.gov [18]
Contact information: www.ddas.vermont.gov/ddas-contact-us [19]

The Vermont Division of Disability and Aging Services is responsible for all community-based long-term care services for older Vermonters, individuals with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and physical disabilities.

The Division contracts with a variety of local private non-profit service providersto provide services and supports to an estimated 15,000 older Vermonters and people with disabilities. The Division also provides direct supports through the Office of Public Guardian.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults [22]
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 [23]

Regional Representative contact information: www.hknc.org/FieldServicesREGREPADD.htm [24]

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.

Franklin Shiner, President
1 Mechanic Street, Apartment 214
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-229-0748
E-mail: fshiner@myfairpoint.net [80]

The National Federation of the Blind of Vermont advocates for children and adults of all ages. This includes developing and nurturing strong and informed relationships with both public and private schools and agencies responsible for providing services to the blind; seeking legislative solutions through cooperative ventures with our state representatives; and seeking private funding to support scholarships, work-study grants, and internships for promising students.

Perkins School for the Blind [83]
175 North Beacon Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-924-3434
E-mail: info@perkins.org [84]

The Perkins Scout [85] is a comprehensive resource for information about blindness and visual impairments. Topics include general information on blindness, resources for persons who are 55+, help for families, cooking and kitchen safety, gardening, orientation and mobility, adjusting to blindness, transition, and many other resources for educators and other professionals.

Digital Audio Books for the Blind
Tom Peters, Project Coordinator
6106 South Stillhouse Road
Oak Grove, MO 64075
816-616-6746
www.unabridged.info [91]
E-mail: tpeters@tapinformation.com [92]
State contact information: www.unabridged.info/contact.htm [93]

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 [96] 
Contact the VA [97]

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 [98]: 
Use this search feature to locate VA facility-related information quickly and accurately.

Fact Sheets about VA Services [99]:
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 [100]:
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) [101]:
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

P.O. Box 139
Killington, VT 05751
802-786-4991
802-786-4986 (Fax)
www.vermontadaptive.org [105]
E-mail: director@vermontadaptive.org [106]

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (VASS) is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. They promote independence and further equality through access to, and instruction in, sports and recreational opportunities.

Weeks Building
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2305
802-241-2620 (Phone/TTY)
800-750-6355 (Toll free phone/TTY)
800-241-1464 (TTY)
802-241-2174 (Fax)
www.dail.state.vt.us/atp [110]
E-mail: atinfo@dail.state.vt.us [111]

The Vermont Assistive Technology Program (VATP) is funded by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, (as amended), to increase statewide access of assistive technology to people of all ages and abilities.

VATP serves: 

• Children and adults with disabilities and their families
• Older adults experiencing difficulty with daily activities
• Professionals in disability-related fields, such as health care, social services, education, or other human services.

VATP provides:

• Awareness activities about Assistive Technology (AT) and its uses
• Advocacy for individuals & their families on their rights to AT services
• Funding resource information based on the person’s needs
• Technical assistance in selecting the appropriate AT devices
• Short term loan of AT equipment to try out at work, home, or school 
• Training on specific devices/software
• Specialized workshops/seminars, group training, and technical presentations
• Hands-on demonstration of AT
• AT resource information and referral to other programs.

www.vabvi.org [114]
E-mail: General@vabvi.org [115]

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI), founded in 1926 with assistance from Helen Keller, is the only private agency in the state providing services, training, and support to Vermonters of all ages experiencing vision loss. VABVI’s mission is to enable Vermonters with vision problems, whether blindness or impairment, to achieve and maintain independence.

Office Locations:

60 Kimball Avenue
South Burlington, VT 05403
800-639-5861 (Toll free)
802-863-1358

10 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
877-350-8838 (Toll free)
802-828-5997

10 Burnham Avenue
Rutland, VT 05701
877-350-8839 (Toll free)
802-775-6452

38 Park Place, Suite 2
Brattleboro, VT 05301
877-350-8840 (Toll free)
802-254-8761

75 Talcott Road, Suite 30
Williston, VT 05495
800-639-2909 (Toll free)
802-878-1107
802-288-9697 (Fax)
www.vabir.org [118]
Contact information [119]

Since its inception in 1979, the Vermont Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation (VABIR) has been Vermont’s liaison between private sector employment and skilled workers with disabilities. VABIR works under a program sponsored by US Department of Education called Projects With Industry.

VABIR will: 

• Provide education and awareness of issues involved in working with individuals who have disabilities
• Arrange free accessibility surveys for businesses and consumers
• Offer job assessment for accommodations that will assist employees in performing their jobs
• Help employers strategize ways to retain employees who become disabled while in their employ
• Consult with employers on job descriptions, interview techniques, and other employment areas in which disability issues arise.

578 Paine Turnpike North
Berlin, VT 05602
800-479-1711 (Toll free)
802-828-3273
http://libraries.vermont.gov/libraries/ssi_ssh [122]
E-mail: teresa.faust@mail.dol.state.vt.us [123]

The Special Services Unit is a regional network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, providing recorded books and other materials to qualifying individuals. Free library services include large print, braille, Talking Books, and audio-described videos.

The Special Services Unit provides advice and consultation to libraries in state institutions; provides and maintains reading materials for individuals with visual impairments and other qualifying disabilties, as well as selected state institutions.