The Self-help Resource Center for Vision LossWA - Washington Vision Services
Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted
9709 Third Avenue NE, #100
Seattle, WA 98115-2027
800-458-4888 (Toll free)
206-525-5556
206-525-0422 (Fax)
www.csbps.com
E-mail: csbps@csbps.com
Founded in 1965, CSBPS is dedicated to providing vision rehabilitation services to help people overcome the challenges of vision loss and continue to lead active, independent lives.
Services and programs include:
- Assistive Technology
- CCTV Information
- Counseling
- Information and Referral
- Low Vision Clinic
- Public Education Services
- Training in Independent Living Skills
- Training in Independent Travel
- Volunteer Support
- Vision Loss Support Groups
Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
628 North Arthur Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
800- 662-9226 (Toll free)
509-735-0699
509-735-4074 (Fax)
www.edithbishelcenter.org
E-mail: info@edithbishelcenter.org
The Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is focused on the special requirements of the blind and visually impaired in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon.
Programs and services include:
- Specialized low vision testing
- Training in daily living for the blind and visually impaired and their families
- Technology training
- Reading and writing devices, magnifiers, tape machines
- Braille and tape library
- Computer software for the blind and visually impaired
- Social and support programs
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
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.
Kaizen Program for New English Learners with Visual Limitations
810-A Hiawatha Place South
Seattle, WA 98144
206-784-5619
www.nwlincs.org/kaizen
E-mail: kaizen@literacyworks.org
Kaizen addresses the specialized instructional needs of blind and visually impaired immigrants and refugees learning English as a Second Language (ESL).
Lilac Services for the Blind
1212 North Howard Street
Spokane, WA 99201
509-328-9116
509-328-8965 (Fax)
www.lilacblind.org
E-mail: info@lilacblind.org
The mission of Lilac Services for the Blind is to provide services and equipment that will allow persons who are blind and visually impaired to maintain their independence and continue living full and active lives.
Programs and services include:
- In-home independent living instruction
- Adaptive aids
- Adaptive computer training
- Braille services
- Support groups
- Low vision equipment
- Counseling for clients and their families
Lions Low Vision Clinic of the Inland Empire
4001 North Cook Street
Spokane, WA 99207
509-484-4259
No web site at present
Next Level Assistive Technology
12811 NW 29th Court
Vancouver, WA 98685
360-326-8031
360-397-0491 (Fax)
www.nextlevelat.com
E-mail contact
Next Level specializes in technology solutions for those with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Michael Hooks, president and founder, has over ten years of experience teaching and working in the field of blindness and low vision.
School of Piano Technology for the Blind
2510 East Evergreen Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98661-4323
360-693-1511
360-693-6891 (Fax)
www.pianotuningschool.org
Contact information
The School of Piano Technology for the Blind provides specialized quality education to blind and visually impaired individuals, leading to successful careers in piano technology.
Graduates perform quality tuning, regulation, and repairs to working parts of both vertical and grand pianos. Many graduates start their own small businesses that serve the piano care requirements of their clients by regularly tuning and repairing their instruments.
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
2501 South Plum Street
Seattle, WA 98144
206-322-4200
206-324-1388 (TDD/TTY)
www.seattlelighthouse.org
Contact information
The Seattle Lighthouse is a private, not-for-profit agency providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deaf-blind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support since 1918.
Programs and services include:
- Supported Employment Program
- Orientation and Mobility Training
- Computer Training Program
- Housing Support
- Deaf-Blind Technology Training Center
- Deaf-Blind Retreat
- Deaf-Blind Community Classes
- Deaf-Blind Independent Living Skills Training and Education
SightConnection
9709 Third Avenue NE, #100
Seattle, WA 98115-2027
800-458-4888 (Toll free)
206-525-5556 (Voice/TDD)
206-525-0422 (Fax)
www.sightconnection.com
E-mail: csbps@csbps.com
SightConnection is the retail operation of Seattle-based Community Services for the Blind and Partially Sighted (CSBPS). CSBPS works with individuals, families, and communities to restore, maintain, and enhance the independence and well-being of people with impaired vision, and specializes in working with age-related vision loss. SightConnection revenue helps support the broad range of programs provided by CSBPS.
SightConnection products include books and reading accessories, braille tools, calendars, writing and recordkeeping, canes, cassette players and audio accessories, CCTVs and video magnifiers, clocks and watches, cooking and kitchen, eyewear and eye patches, games and playing cards, health & personal care, home & office, lighting, magnifiers, Spanish talking products, telephones.
Read our interview with Joyce Shoemaker, Retail Operations Manager at SightConnection.
Tape Ministries Northwest
A Lending Library for the Blind and Disabled 840 S. 192nd Street
Seatac, WA 98148-2208
206-243-7377
www.tapeministries.org
E-mail: tmnw@tapeministries.org
Tape Ministries Northwest is a lending library of wholesome, inspirational and Christian books on tape, including 1,251 Christian books, Decision Magazine, and Our Daily Bread monthly devotional. Tape Ministries mails tapes nationwide to people who are blind, visually impaired, and physically or developmentally disabled. All services are free.
The Low Vision Store

300 NE 117th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98684
360-254-3344
360-254-3892 (Fax)
888-216-1912 (Toll free)
www.thelowvisionstore.net
Contact information and directions
The Low Vision Store sells magnifiers and the newest electronic reading aids, as well as easy computer tools and used CCTVs. Always a source for choice and personal assistance, the Store’s new website features multi-media product overviews; Patty’s Journal, a blog on Living with Low Vision; and an easy, online shopping experience backed by years of trusted and informed service.
Washington Assistive Technology Alliance
866-866-0162 V/TTY: Toll-Free Hotline for Washington State residents
Washington Assistive Technology Alliance's web site offers useful information about Assistive Technology, including an introduction to What is Assistive Technology?
WATA provides a listing of vendors who sell assistive and adaptive technology products for people with low vision and blindness. The vendors sell software, computer accessories, telephone technology, pill organizers, mobility aids, Braille products, magnifiers, lamps, watches, clocks, cooking gadgets, and many more items.
If you live in Washington state, there is also a hot line you can call for assistance in finding which assistive technology products could help you, and how to get training and perhaps funding for using these products.
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
P.O. Box 40933
Olympia, WA 98504-0933
800-552-7103 (Toll free)
206-721-4056 (TTY)
www.dsb.wa.gov
E-mail: information@dsb.wa.gov
The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) has offices in Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima.
Contact the DSB office nearest you.
DSB is a state rehabilitation agency that offers assistance to persons who are blind or visually impaired.
DSB also provides a range of services for employers interested in accommodating or hiring workers with vision loss.
Washington State School for the Blind
Lions Low Vision Clinic
Christi Closson, O.D.
Old Main Building
2214 East 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-696-6321, ext. 120 (Appointments)
360-737-2120 (Fax)
www.wssb.org/LowVision.asp
The Washington State School for the Blind Lions Low Vision Clinic provides low vision evaluations for individuals. These evaluations are provided at no cost to the patient. The clinic is a collaborative effort between the Washington State School for the Blind, the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing, and Pacific University College of Optometry.
© 2010 AWARE - Associates for World Action in Rehabilitation & Education





