4574 W. Thorn Creek Street
Meridian, ID 83642
208-841-1296
208-401-0028 (Fax)
www.acutevisionproducts.com
E-mail: vincent@acutevisionproducts.com

ACUTE Vision Products is an authorized Humanware dealer and provider of low vision devices, including handheld electronic magnifiers, CCTVs, and text-to-voice technology, serving all of Idaho, Utah, and Montana.

ACUTE provides demonstrations, sales, and service to individuals, schools and independent living facilities, as well as group or individual demonstrations, training, and instruction. Bilingual English/Spanish.

439 East 3100 North
North Ogden, UT 84414
801-547-5903
www.foundationforvisionrehab.org
E-mail: info@fvr.org

The Foundation for Vision Rehabilitation is organized to help persons with any visual impairment to remain independent, and to do the tasks that they are having difficulties with because of their vision loss.

It is to bring help and hope to persons who are struggling with both the physical and emotional aspects of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and any other type of vision loss.

It is to assist them with functional solutions that will help them to be able to continue to read, write, see TV and people's faces, and do everyday tasks more successfully, despite their decreased vision.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
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

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

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.

Bryan Gerritsen, CLVT
439 East 3100 North
North Ogden, UT 84414
801-547-5903
www.LowVisionRehabServices.com
E-mail: bryangerritsen@comcast.net

Low Vision Rehabilitation Services is owned and operated by Bryan Gerritsen, Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT). Bryan works in conjunction with ophthalmologists and optometrists in 13 doctors' offices in most major cities in Utah and on a limited basis in Idaho. Services are offered under the direct supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Read our interview with Bryan Gerritsen about his work as a Certified Low Vision Therapist.

888-292-3007 (Toll free)
801-292-3000
801-294-6000 (Fax)
www.nfbutah.org
E-mail: president@nfbutah.org

The National Federation of the Blind of Utah (NFBU) 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.

NFBU carries out its work through collaboration and resource sharing with its strong National organization, through meetings and activities of its local chapters and through the education and mentorship activities of its more than 300 members throughout the state.

Northern Utah Center for Independent Living
1095 North Main Street
Logan, UT 84341
435-753-5353 (Voice and TTY)
435-753-5390 (Fax)
www.optionsind.org
E-mail: jbiggs@optionsind.org

The mission of OPTIONS for Independence is to raise the vision and capability of the community at large to the point where people of all abilities will have equal access.

Services include: 

• Information and Referral
• Counseling (Professional and Peer)
• Options Development (Promoting the rights of people with disabilities on a local, state, and national level)
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Support Services
• Community Services
• Public Education

The following support groups are available through OPTIONS for Independence: 

• Low Vision Support Group: For adults age 55 and older who have visual disabilities. Activities include sharing concerns and feelings of isolation, problem solving techniques, tips on how to adapt the living environment, guest speakers, and community awareness.
• Ye Old Tyme Crafters: Participants with visual disabilities meet to learn new adaptive skills for sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and various types of crafts. Activities include individual and group projects, learning new crafts and having fun.
• Peer Mentoring Support Group: Support and training on disability resources by those who have "been there; done that" and want to share with others.
• Concerned Citizens with Disabilities Coalition: An advocacy group committed to improving accessibility in communities and to removing barriers of all types.
• Brain Injury Support Group: Held once a month to offer peer support, problem solving, guest speakers, information on resources, and community awareness.

515 West 300 North, Suite #A
St. George, UT 84770
435-673-7501
435-673-8808 (Fax)
www.rrci.org
E-mail: rrci@rrci.org

Programs and services include: 

• The Elder Blind Program: Offers support group meetings, recreational and community activities, and daily living skills training to achieve the goal of independence.
• Peer Support
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Assistive Technology
• Equipment Loan Bank
• Information and Referral
• Nursing Home Transition
• Advocacy

www.lds.org

Vision Loss and Blindness Information includes the following resources:

• Ways to Help Those with Vision Loss
• Teaching Tips
• Additional Blindness Resources
• Additional Web Sites

Church publications are available in the following formats: Braille, Large Print, Half-Speed Audiocassettes, and CDs.

The General Disabilities Resource Center provides information on Leader and Teacher Resources, Family Resources, Scriptures and Quotes, Materials, and Frequently Asked Questions.

The Utah State Library for the Blind offers a range of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints materials in alternative formats.

www.theeyeinstitute.com

Utah Location:
755 East 3900 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
800-760-4171 (Toll free)

Wyoming Location:
2631 Foothill Blvd., Suite A
Rock Springs, WY 82901
800-360-3937 (Toll free)
307-362-4202

The Eye Institute offers comprehensive treatment options for serious eye conditions and diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
801-581-2352
801-581-3357 (Fax)
http://uuhsc.utah.edu/MoranEyeCenter
Moran Community Eye Clinics

The Moran Eye Center is committed to the goal that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.

Patient Support Services at the Moran Eye Center 

Julia Kleinschmidt, Ph.D., LCSW
801-585-2213
Moran Eye Center Patient Support
E-mail: julia.kleinschmidt@hsc.utah.edu

Support services include:

• Support Groups: Opportunities to share experiences with others in the same situation and to offer information and encouragement.
• Orientation to Vision Loss: A two-hour orientation held on Saturdays once a month for newly visually impaired individuals and their families. Topics include how to use remaining vision optimally, adjustment strategies, and resources available to help.
• Information and Referral: Provides education and referrals to take advantage of the excellent services offered by many agencies.
• Supportive Counseling: An opportunity to better understand and deal with the emotional response to vision loss, to encourage and support the adjustment process.

Center for Persons with Disabilities on the Utah State University campus
6855 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-6855
800-524-5152 (Toll Free)
435-797-3824
435-797-2355 (Fax)
www.uatpat.org
E-mail statewide contacts: www.uatpat.org/contact.htm

The Utah Assistive Technology Program serves individuals with disabilities of all ages in Utah and the intermountain region.

The program provides assistive technology devices and services, and trains university students, parents, children with disabilities, and professional service providers about assistive technology.

The program coordinates their services with community organizations and others who provide independence-related support to individuals with disabilities.

250 North 1950 West, Suite A
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-7901
801-715-6789 (Salt Lake City area)
800-662-5540 (Toll free inside Utah)
800-453-4293 (Toll free outside Utah)
801-715-6721 (TDD)
http://blindlibrary.utah.gov
E-mail: blind@utah.gov

The Program for the Blind and Disabled provides materials found in public libraries in formats that are accessible to the blind and disabled. Books and magazines are available in braille, in large print, and on audiocassettes.

Radio Reading Service: Radio programming from the Utah State Library for the Blind & Disabled, with the help of dedicated volunteer readers, is broadcast on the sideband of KBYU-FM radio in Provo, Utah and KREC-FM radio in St. George, Utah. The radio reception is currently limited to patrons living along the Wasatch Front (from Ogden to Nephi) and in the Cedar City/St. George area.

www.va.gov 
Contact the VA

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

Fact Sheets about VA Services:
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:
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):
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

Utah Department of Health
Diabetes Prevention and Control Program
P.O. Box 142107
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2107
801-538-6141
801-538-9495 (Fax)
http://health.utah.gov/diabetes
E-mail: rbullough@utah.gov (Program Manager)

The Utah Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) has been funded since 1980 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Program works in partnerships to improve the quality of life of all Utahns at risk for, or affected by, diabetes by: 

• Informing Utahns of the seriousness, symptoms, and risk factors of diabetes
• Helping Utahns with diabetes learn to control their diabetes and prevent complications
• Increasing awareness of methods to prevent type 2 diabetes in Utahns with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance
• Decreasing or delay complications due to unmanaged diabetes
• Improving insurance coverage for Utahns with diabetes
• Assuring access to high quality diabetes education programs
• Promoting improved quality of medical care in local communities.

120 North 200 West, Room 325
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
877-424-4640 (Toll free)
801-538-3910
801-538-4395 (Fax)
www.hsdaas.state.ut.us
E-mail: DAAS@utah.gov

Administers a wide variety of home and community-based services for Utah residents who are 60 or older. Programs and services are primarily delivered by a network of 12 Area Agencies on Aging that reach all geographic areas of the state. The goal of the Division is to provide services that allow people to remain independent.

Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Administration Office
250 North 1950 West, Suite B
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-7902
800-284-1823 (Toll free)
801-323-4343
801-323-4395 (TTY)
801-233-4396 (Fax)
www.usor.utah.gov/division-of-services-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired

The Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI) has developed programs to help meet the needs of Utah citizens who are blind or have significant visual impairments.

In addition to providing vocational rehabilitation services, DSBVI offers a multitude of training and adjustment services, which include:

• Computer evaluation and training
• Orientation and mobility services
• Daily living skills
• Home repair courses
• Low vision screening, magnification and other assistive aids
• A variety of adjustment-to-blindness classes and services.

These services are provided to individuals at the Center for the Blind and in the community statewide.