Welcome to VisionAWARE, a "Self-Help for Vision Loss" web site that provides free, practical, hands-on information to enhance quality of life and independence for adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and vision professionals.

At VisionAWARE, we understand that losing your vision can be a difficult, emotional, and life-changing experience that affects you and everyone around you - spouses, family members, children, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Whether you're totally blind, have low vision, or simply have trouble seeing from time to time, it's important to realize you're not alone. At least 6.5 million American adults experience vision problems and many don't know where to turn for help or information.

On VisionAWARE, you'll find free, practical, self-help solutions that can help adults with vision loss to:

• learn about eye disorders that cause vision problems
• find vision rehabilitation services
• stay on top of the latest medical research
• keep working after vision loss
• adapt everyday tasks
• continue with hobbies, sports, and recreation

You Can Trust Information from VisionAWARE

We are a team of experienced vision rehabilitation professionals, and many of us are blind or have low vision ourselves. Our goal is to provide useful techniques that can help adults cope with vision changes, adapt everyday tasks, keep their jobs, enjoy their hobbies, and retain their independence. Our information is free, with no cost and no obligation to you. Share this information with family and friends, and email us to let us know if it's been useful for you.

Where to Turn for Help and Information If You are Blind or Have Low Vision

Adults with Vision Problems: Learn about vision problems and eye disorders, locate vision rehabilitation services, retain employment, continue hobbies, maintain personal independence, and keep up-to-date on vision news and research. Learn more...

Family Members, Friends, and Caregivers of Adults with Vision Problems: You can help a parent, spouse, relative or friend retain his or her independence, quality of life, and self-esteem. Discover ways of adapting daily living tasks to make them safer and easier, where to find local vision rehabilitation services, and the latest medical news. Find out how...

Vision Professionals: Supplement and reinforce vision rehabilitation training for adults with vision loss, along with family members, caregivers, and friends. Use our free, easy-to-follow information written by vision professionals. Explore our resources...

Adults with Vision Problems

If you are blind or have low vision and your vision loss is affecting your daily activities, self-esteem, and independence, you may be asking, "Is there anything I can do?"

At VisionAWARE, our team of qualified and experienced vision professionals provides free, practical, self-help information to help you learn more about vision loss and eye disorders, find vision rehabilitation services, retain employment, continue your hobbies, maintain your personal independence, and learn more about the latest medical research.

Learn More About Blindness, Vision Loss, and Low Vision

• How eye conditions, such as cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy affect your vision
• Learn all about macular degeneration in easy-to-understand language from the expert, Dr. Lylas G. Mogk
• What's happening to people who are blind or have low vision and are living in other parts of the world

How to Find Vision Rehabilitation Services and Vision-Related Rehabilitation Professionals

• The professionals who are trained to provide vision rehabilitation services to adults with vision loss
• How to locate vision rehabilitation services in your area
• Government and private organizations that provide services to people who are blind or have low vision
• Organizations of people who are blind or have low vision, including support and self-help groups
• Legislation and advocacy resources

Coping With the Emotional Impact of Vision Loss

• Coping with, and understanding, your feelings about vision loss
• Family and friend caregiver concerns
• Talking to children about vision loss

Maximize Your Senses to Supplement Low Vision

• How to maximize and best use your remaining vision
• Practice exercies in the use of hearing, touch, and smell and how these senses can play an important role in everyday tasks

Self Help: Learning to Live with Vision Problems, from Low Vision to Blindness

• How to make adaptations or use special equipment to safely accomplish everyday activities, such as, such as home management, home modifications, personal self-care, financial management, and using the telephone
• How to feel safe moving around your home and traveling outside
• The importance of lighting and environmental adaptations
• Self study and self-help resources

Employment after Vision Loss

• Where to find more information about employment if you are blind or have low vision
• Where and how to begin looking for a job

Enjoying Sports, Crafts, Leisure, and Recreational Activities if You are Blind or have Low Vision

• Reading and writing alternatives
• How to continue enjoying sports, home mechanics, crafts, and other leisure or recreational activities

Assistive Technology and Special Equipment for the Visually Impaired

• If you need help viewing this site, see Accessibility Help instructions. You can quickly change the font size and contrast using the "-", "+", and "++" buttons in the banner at the top of each page.
• All about assistive technology
• How to make adaptations on your computer
• Where to find useful adaptive aids and devices

Become a Member of the VisionAWARE? Family

• Register for the Are You AWARE? newsletter and be the first to hear the news
• Check our Vision News daily for a digest of the latest vision news on the web
• Ask questions by E-mailing VisionAWARE
• To learn more about the AWARE organization, call 914-528-5120