Serves Deaf and Deaf Blind survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment. They provide advocacy on systems and policy issues, offer summer camps for kids, and provide information to individuals and families on their website. Also, visit the website for additional contact information.
8623 Roosevelt Way Northeast, Seattle, Washington 98115
(206) 922-7088
adwas.org
Dedicated to improving the quality and equality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired. They provide a resource list and a list of local chapters and their contact information.
3805 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 261-3561 or (800) 835-2226
acbohio.org
Their assistive technology fund provides funds to cover a percentage of the retail price of adaptive devices or software to help blind and legally blind individuals. Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States to qualify for this program.
PO Box 246, Holbrook, Massachusetts 02343
(781) 961-1023
blindcitizens.org/assistive-technology-fund
The world’s largest online digital library of accessible books for individuals with print disabilities. They operate under an exception to U.S. copyright law, allowing copyrighted digital books to be made available to people with qualifying disabilities. Individuals must register as members and provide proof of disability. Members can download books, textbooks and newspapers and then read the material using adaptive technology. This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education.
(650) 352-0198
bookshare.org
Fosters positive attitudes about Braille for children and their families and promotes a love of reading by encouraging parents to read daily with their blind or low vision child. Visit the website to find out more and to apply.
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives
Provides people with low vision and blindness with services and supports necessary to help them attain and keep jobs (beginning at age 14). Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services include: evaluation and treatment of an individual’s disability; information and referral services; vocational counseling and training; job assistance; educational guidance; transportation services; occupational tools and equipment; and personal attendant services (reader, interpreter, etc.). Visit the website to find the BSVI Office services available in your area.
Columbus Office: 4300 East Broad Street, Whitehall, Ohio 43213
(614) 466-4575 or (800) 430-6940 Toll-free
ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/individuals-with-disabilities/services/services-for-the-visually-impaired
BSVI Regional Offices: ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/individuals-with-disabilities/find-us
Former winner of National Library of the Year, CML is an amazing resource in the community. With 23 locations throughout Franklin County, they provide a lot more than just books, including a lot of free online resources, school help, specialized programs, community events and a lot more.
96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-2275
columbuslibrary.org
Provides legal advocacy and rights protection throughout Ohio to a wide range of people with disabilities. This includes assisting individuals with problems such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology devices, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting and rights protection issues within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
200 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181
disabilityrightsohio.org
The American Optometric Association provides free eye exams for infants between 6 and 12 months of age regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage. Visit the website or call to find a local participating optometrist.
(888) 396-3937 Toll-free
infantsee.org
Offers low-cost access to the nation’s largest audiobook library of textbooks and literature titles. They have human-narrated audiobooks with descriptions of images, tables and graphs, a helpful online catalog and 24/7 phone support.
20 Roszel Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
(800) 221-4792
learningally.org
Non-profit healthcare organization for visually impaired persons. Provides free tele-support groups, including groups for high school students with vision loss and for parents of those with vision loss. Groups meet weekly by phone to share experiences and discuss related topics. Lighthouse also has a Vision & Health Blog and podcast with helpful information, scholarships, and more.
(212) 769-6318
lighthouseguild.org
Provides a list of accessible dining, transportation, activities, hotels and other resources in and around Columbus that have been reviewed by disability inclusion experts. For specific questions about accessibility at a particular location, contact the location (or source of transportation) for the most up-to-date details.
experiencecolumbus.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility
This is a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give support, encouragement, resources and information.
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
(410) 659-9314
For free audio newspaper service (NFB-NEWSLINE): (866) 504-7300
nfb.org
NFB-NEWSLINE: nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline
A free library program for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. NLS circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, delivered by postage-free mail or instantly downloadable. Their Kids Catalog has fun books and magazines for kids.
1291 Taylor Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20542
(888) 657-7323
loc.gov/nls
Offers routine and advanced care for children with visual impairments. They accept all major insurances (including Medicaid, Caresource and Molina) and provide financial assistance for patients without insurance who qualify.
A monthly audio magazine, available on audiocassette tape, audio CD and in digital format, is produced by and for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Newsreel contains news, supportive articles, information and entertainment.
5 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 469-0700 or (888) 723-8737
newsreelmag.org
Allows library members to go online and download a wide variety of popular book titles in eBook format, digital audiobooks, digital magazines and video for free to Ohio citizens. Visit the website to see if your library participates.
State Library of Ohio
274 East First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 644-7061
ohdbks.overdrive.com
As the first public school for the blind in the U.S., they are dedicated to the education of students with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities. Visit their resources page to find useful information about the blind community and visual impairments and summer camps they offer, as well as additional contact information.
5220 North High Street, Columbus Ohio, 43214
(800) 310-3317
ossb.ohio.gov
They work to increase access and equity for students that are visually or hearing impaired through connections, resources, and supports.
470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus Ohio 43214
(614) 410-0648
deafandblindoutreach.org
Provides free professional eye exams, follow-up care, education and eyewear to medically needy children, youth, families and uninsured adults, and more.
The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness
1500 West Third Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 464-2020 or (800) 301-2020
ohio.preventblindness.org
Provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment to approximately 15,000 eligible blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, and reading disabled Ohio residents.
(800) 686-1531 or (614) 644-6895
library.ohio.gov/using-the-library/services-for-the-blind
Provides free eye gear (prescription goggles for sports and vocational school programs), baseball and softball batting helmets, and fielder masks to aid in prevention of eye injuries. These items are available to kids ages 3 to 18 years old and applications are available throughout the year.
Ohio Ophthalmological Society
5115 Parkcenter Avenue, Suite 200, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 527-6799
superspecs.org
Provides Social Security disability beneficiaries (i.e., individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits based on disability) the choices, opportunities and support they need to enter the workforce and maintain employment with the goal of becoming economically independent over time.
PO Box 1433, Alexandria, Virginia 22313
(866) 968-7842 or (866) 833-2967 TTY/TDD
yourtickettowork.ssa.gov
A 24 hours a day, 365 days a year radio station that serves people who cannot read the printed word. VOICEcorps features newspapers, magazines, various periodicals/journals and books. Some of their most popular offerings include grocery/retail ads, obituaries and live programs. Broadcasts may be heard within Columbus, central and southern Ohio.
2955 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 274-7650
voicecorps.org
This blog is dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments, as well as children with multiple disabilities. Visit the website to find helpful articles on various topics.
wonderbaby.org