This is a sampling of services which might be of
interest to VIP’s (visually impaired
people). Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement. This compilation is different from the State
Directory. You can request the latest
edition of the “Arizona Directory of Services for Persons Who are Blind and
Visually Impaired” at 1-800-563-1221 www.de.state.az.us/rsa/blind
If you find any errors or have additions to suggest, pleas contact
Gail Wilt, Comprehensive Adult Services, Foundation for Blind Children –
602-337-8190
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Animal
Rescue/Paramedics: 602-997-7585
A division of the
Humane Society, this service is primarily for strays, but may be able to help,
on a case-by-case basis, if you are unable to get your pet to emergency
services.
Emergency Animal
Hospital: 602-995-
3757. 2260 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
Crime Stop (Phoenix Police,
nonemergency): 602-262-6151
Crisis Line - Maricopa Crisis Response Line:
1-800-631-1314
Domestic Violence Resources
National Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE = 799-7233
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 602-279-2900 (business
hours)
www.AzCADV.org
Fire Department
(Phoenix,
nonemergency): 602-262-6595
Nurse – medical info:
602-230-2273
Poison Control:
1-800-222-1222
Urgent Care: Advanced
Care,
2423 W. Dunlap Ave., 602-216-6862
(The Yellow Pages list other
providers, under “Clinics.”; check insurance coverage)
ADA = AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - Passed July 26, 1990. Aims
to ensure “reasonable accommodation” for people with disabilities – as
consumers of products and services, job applicants, and employees.
ADA Information Line:
800-514-0301
Pacific Disability and
Business Technical
Assistance Center (PDTAC):
1-800-949-4232. www.pacdbtac.org
Can answer questions about the ADA
and send literature in alternate formats.
Arizona
Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL): 602-256-2245
5025 E. Washington, Ste. 200
"ABIL offers and
promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal
responsibility so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles in the
community." Serves people with any
kind of disability, throughout Maricopa County.
Information, peer support, social/recreational activities, advocacy
(e.g., working toward improved public transit), and workshops on issues such as
overcoming disability oppression. Free
monthly newsletter, “The Bridge,” available in alternate formats.
Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL):
602-274-6287, 5025 E. Washington.
www.acdl.com/
Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition
(AzDAC): www.azdisabilityadvocacy.org
Statewide Independent Living Council
(SILC): 602-262-2900 www.azsilc.org
5025 E. Washington, Ste. 214
------------
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB):
A wealth of information, including
AFB CareerConnect: 1-888-824-2184
www.afb.org/careerconnect
“a free resource for people who want to learn about the range and
diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired.”
------------
BIBLES
Audio Bible: 1-864-260-9977
PO Box 272 Anderson, SC
29622
offers the complete King James Bible, narrated by Alexander Scourby,
in downloadable RealAudio format. They also sell a portable Audio Bible with a
keyboard that uses Braille characters for easy access.
Aurora Ministries Bible Alliance:
1-941-748-3031
PO Box 621 Bradenton, FL 34206
Local libraries for the blind should have applications.
Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc.: 1-800-925-6092
www.lbwinc.org/orders/index.php
Free large print or Braille Bibles and other devotional materials, in
several languages.
Talking Bibles International: www.talkingbible.org
Sells digital NIV new Testament.
------------
Braille Bookstore: www.BrailleBookstore.com
Greeting cards and more.
Braille without Borders: www.braillewithoutborders.org
Promotes the use of
braille worldwide, especially in underprivileged countries.
Braille Calendars, free: calendars@actionfund.org
-----------
ACB Store: 1-877-848-3218
www.acb.org
American Printing House for the Blind
(APH): 1-800-223-1839
Offers a wide variety of products,including Braille greeting cards
with tactile art, and a large print calendar with art submitted by
blind/visually impaired people.
Blind Mice Mart:
www.blindmicemart.com
Blind Treasures: 1-804-266-3062
www.brailleiant.com
Braille Super Store:
California Canes:
1-866-332-4883.
www.californiacanes.com
Home Readers: 1-877-814-7323
Offers taped catalogs from several mainstream
companies, such as Blair, Land’s End, and Schwan’s.
Independent
Living Aids (ILA): 1-800-
537-2118 www.independentliving.com
LS&S:
1-800-468-4789.
www.lssproducts.com
MaxiAids:
1-800-522-6294.
Perkins school for the Blind: 1-617-924-
3434. www.perkins.org
Speak to Me: 1-800-248-9965.
------------
CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS
American Council of the Blind (ACB):
1-800-424-8666. www.acb.org
Arizona Council of the Blind (AzCB):
602-273-1510. www.azcb.org
Council of Families
with Visual
Impairment (CFVI): www.acb.org
Phoenix Chapter of the
Arizona
National Federation of
the Blind (NFB):
1-800-638-7518 www.nfb.org
National Federation of the Blind of
Arizona (NFBA):
------------
Counseling
The University of Phoenix Counseling Skills Center offers 8 free
individual sessions by Master of Counseling students, under the supervision of
a professional faculty member. (Sessions
are videotaped for training purposes.)
Contact: Nicole Korand – 602-557-2217 nicoleKorand@phoenix.edu
DIABETES
INFORMATION
American Diabetes
Association:
Living with
Blindness and Diabetes, a Frre book from
NFB
Independence Market (in large print and on CD).
------------
FINANCES
Financial
Education, basics: www.money.gov
Money Talks: a
computer software program for keeping your accounts; for sale by the American
Printing House for the Blind (www.aph.org). It is self-voicing (can work with
or without a screenreader).
----------
GOVERNMENT
Arizona Self-Help Information: www.arizonaselfhelp.org
Arizona State
Legislature, Capitol
Complex, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. www.azleg.gov
State Senate Information: 602-926-3559
State House of Representatives: 602-926-4221
Arizona State Switchboard: 602-542-4900
Governor’s Office: 602-542-4331. azgov@az.gov
Governor’s Council on blindness and Visual Impairment (GCBVI):
602-542-
3946 www.azdes.gov/rsa/gcbvi.asp
Glendale City Hall: 623-930-2000
Glendale Commission on
Persons with Disabilities: 623-930-2287
Health-e-Arizona: https://www.healthearizona.org
You can use this site to apply online for medical
assistance (AHCCCS), Food Stamps, or cash assistance.
Maricopa County Switchboard: 602-506-3011
Medicare:
1-800-633-4227
Medicare
Information line through Arizona’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program:
1-800-432-4040
www.benefitscheckup.org/link/AZ
http://www.phoenix.gov/mayorcouncil/index.html
Staff can assist with any City concerns – such as situations which
make a travel route hazardous (e.g., a low-hanging tree branch or broken
sidewalk).
Phoenix Street Repair Cards: 480-222-4132 www.phoenix.gov/streets
To request
installation of an accessible pedestrian signal (APS) at a particular
intersection, call your City Hall; in Phoenix, 602-262-7222
Service Arizona:
www.servicearizona.com
Social Security:
1-800-772-1213 www.socialsecurity.gov
Sampling of Local
Social Security Offices:
16241 N. Tatum Blvd., Phx. 602-569-8797
250 N. 7th Ave., Suite 100, Phx. 602-379-4709
Social
Security re alternate formats for notices sent to you: 1-877-708-1776
Washington Connection - For the latest in legislative and governmental
news
related to the blind/visually impaired:
1-800-424-8666, 5 PM-midnight EST. http://www.acb.org
Vote Smart: What's my
district? http://www.vote-smart.org
-----------
Hadley School for the
Blind: 1-800-526-
9909 or 1-847-446-8111
student_services@hadley-school.org
www.hadley.edu
Offers free correspondence courses via large
print, braille, audio, and online – on a wide variety of subjects, such as eye
conditions, adjustment to vision loss, health, braille, literature,
composition, spelling, math, some foreign languages, and hobbies.
Hands-On
Parenting: Resource Guide for Parents who are Blind or Partially Sighted, by
Debbie Bacon; published by Through the Looking Glass. 1-800-644-2666.
(available to FBC students in regular print, large print, or CD-ROM)
HOUSING for Low-Income People
Community Housing: 602-631-9780
Home Choice Program, Access Fine Homes: 623-322-4946
Identification Cards:
602-255-0072. www.servicearizona.com
You can get a
nondriver photo ID (“nonoperating identification license”) at any branch of
Arizona Department of Transportation/Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT/MVD); e.g.,
4005 N. 51st Ave.
20626 N. 26th Ave.
300 W. Washington, Courthouse
------------
INFORMATION
411
Fee Waiver: Contact your phone service carrier (home or cell) to request an
application to waive any fee for use of 411 Directory Assistance.
Qwest
customers can apply for a 411 fee exemption by calling the Qwest Office for
Customers with Disabilities - 1-800-223-3131 - to request an application; or
you can download the form as either a
PDF or an HTML file from www.qwest.com and click on
“Customers with Disabilities” at the very bottom of the page.
BING 4-1-1:
1-800-246-4411
A toll-free directory
assistance resource which offers a variety of other information as well -
nationwide.
FREE 4-1-1:
1-800-373-3411
Another toll-free
information number you can use from any phone, anywhere in the country.
Community Information
and Referral
Service: 602-263-8856
Free 24-hour contact information for nonprofit
services in Maricopa County -clubs, recreational organizations, support groups,
counseling, Government services, etc.
Credit Reports: 1-877-322-8228. www.annualcreditreport.com
By law you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each
of the 3 credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. You can request an alternate format.
DIRECTIONS
Directions for Me: www.directionsforme.org – “… over 300,000
products in food, health and beauty and general merchandise. … preparation, …
nutrition …, ingredients, allergy/drug interaction warnings and more.”
Product Access Project: www.productaccessproject.org
“Would you like directions for preparing a product bought at the
store? Would you like to add a product's directions to the Product Access
Project's database?”
National Do Not Call
List:
1-888-382-1222
To minimize the chance
of receiving solicitation calls, call to register the phone number from which
you are calling (home or cell).
Read This to Me:
1-877-333-8847. www.ReadThisToMe.org
Fax Number:
1-877-333-8848 (Include a cover letter with your name and callback number.)
A free reading service via fax and
telephone. You can fax any print
material (even handwritten), and someone will call to read it to you – usually
within an hour.
Repairs: TOFIXIT = 602-863-4948
Referrals for reputable home repair services available 24 hours a day.
TELL ME: 1-800-555-8355 (1-800-555-
TELL)
Business listings, taxi service, weather around the country, sports
scores, airline arrival times, stock quotes, driving directions, and
more.
Yellow Pages/Phone
Book: Www.dexonline.com
------------
JOB-RELATED Resources
Greater
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce: 602-254-5521
Maricopa WorkForce Connections: www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com
Comprehensive One-Stop Centers
with computers with assistive technology, fax machines, copiers, and
phones that can be used for job hunting.
Gilbert: 735 N.
Gilbert Rd., Ste. 134.
480-497-0350
Mesa:
163 North Dobson. 480-962-
7678
Peoria:
9770 W. Peoria. 623-934-
3231
Phoenix:
9801 N. 7th St.,
AFB Career Connect:
www.afb.org/careerconnect
Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC): www.eeoc.gov
Has a fact sheet addressing the reasonable accommodation obligation
under the ADA.
http://jobs.hiredisability.com
disability.com/Job_Seekers/job_seekers.asp
www.disabledperson.com/recruitability
.asp
------------
LIBRARIES AND OTHER SOURCES FOR
ACCESSIBLE MEDIA
Arizona Braille &
Talking Book Library:
602-255-5578 btbl@lib.az.us
You can request books, magazines, or DVS movies
by phone or online. Call to request a
user name and password for online services. Their web site is also your gateway
to BARD - = Braille and Audio Reading Downloads from NLS.
Arizona Instructional
Resource Center
(AIRC), Foundation for Blind Children
(FBC): 602-331-1470. 1235 E. Harmont Dr., Phoenix. www.seeitourway.org
Large braille library; large print collection;
production center for materials in Braille, large print, or electronic format –
for people of all ages.
BookShare: www.bookshare.org
Downloadable books in accessible formats.
National Braille Press
(NBP): 1-800-
548-7323. www.nbp.org
Sells selected books
in Braille or digital format – for the same price as the print editions.
Newspapers and
Magazines
NFB-Newsline®:
1-888-882-1629
You can read a wide
selection of newspapers and magazines by phone at no charge, any time, from any
touchtone phone in the country. You can
also access local TV listings. To request
an access code, contact the Talking Book Library - 602-255-5578.
Princeton Braillists:
1-215-357-7715 or
1-609-924-5207
76 Leabrook Lane,
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.Mysite.verizon.net/resvqbxe/princetonbraillists
Inexpensive tactile
maps of many states and countries; anatomy drawings.
Sun Dial: 480-774-8300
A service of Sun Sounds, this program enables you to access newspapers
by phone or Internet. You can also use
it to surf the Internet by phone.
Public
Library System: www.lib.az.us
Recording for the
Blind & Dyslexic
(RFB&D) -
National Headquarters:
1-866-RFBD-585
= 1-866-732-3585
www.rfbd.org
Phoenix Studio:
602-468-9144
If a student or
working person needs a book that is not already available, this volunteer
organization will record it in a specialized digital format. There is a
registration fee and an annual renewal fee, and you must supply at least one
print copy of the book. They also produce books for leisure reading.
Accessibility Center
(formerly “Special
Needs Center”): 602-261-8690
Located in the Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central
Ave., Phoenix
Has some assistive
technology available for use by appointment (e.g., CCTV, computer with speech,
Braille embosser). Large print books are available by mail. DVS videos,
commercially-made audio cassettes, and Braille books (including some tech
manuals) can be sent to your nearest branch library, for you to pick up in
person.
Sun Sounds of Arizona, a radio reading service: 480-774-8300
www.sunsounds.org
24-hour broadcasting on a special frequency, accessed via a receiver
supplied to you, on indefinite loan, at no charge. Features include reading of the entire
Arizona Republic (including ads), programs on disability issues, excerptsfrom
books and magazines, and how-to shows (e.g., “Blind Handy Man”).
------------
Lions Foundation of
Arizona: 602-244-
9757
Low Vision Plus, Mike Perry: www.lowvisionPlus.com
michael@lowvisionplus.com
Carries a wide variety of products for people
with little or no vision – from CCTV’s to talking thermometers.
Mobile Veterinarians
Several vets make
house calls, some at rates comparable to office visits. Here are 2 such options:
Encanto Mobile Vet -
Dr. Virginia Kenaway: 395-0161. C531-2504
Country Rover, Dr.
Roger Cahill: 867-7100
Mobility International
U.S.A. (MIUSA):
Information for people
with disabilities on opportunities for studying or volunteering in other
countries.
Parenting Tips:
"Hands-On Parenting: A Resource Guide for Parents who are Blind or
Partially Sighted" – available in large print or on CD ROM from Through
the Looking Glass: 1-800-644-2666
Prescription Discount: 1-888-227-8315
Every Arizonan is entitled to a free CoppeRX® Card.
It applies to all prescription drug purchases. Present it to any one of over
500 Arizona pharmacies for a discount on your prescription purchase. Generally,
CoppeRX® Card discounts range from 15 to 55 percent.
Sight Loss Solutions: www.SightLossSolutions.org
Sleep Research: 1-877-23-SLEEP (1-877-
237-5337)
e-mail blindhealth@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Dr. Steven Lockley, Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women's
Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
Some people who are totally blind have a sleep
disorder, which Dr. Lockley is studying.
Statement of Legal Blindness
It is a good idea to get a statement of legal blindness from your eye
doctor, and to make copies of it.
Various services for which you may wish to apply will require one (e.g.,
when applying for the 411 fee waiver, and when claiming a higher deduction on
Federal taxes on the basis of blindness).
------------
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION GROUPS
Healer Within, Amina Kruck – 602-443-
0722
Free semimonthly wellness group for women with disabilities. Held at the ABIL office at 5025 E.
Washington, Ste. 200.
Men’s Disability Issues Group, Don Price: 602-980-
3232, donp@abil.org
For men, 18 and over, with any disability.
5025 E. washington
third Thursday of each month,
5:30–7pm.
V.O.I.C.E.:
602-789-9129
Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.,
Glendale
Support and
Information group for individuals with disabilities, their families and
rehabilitation providers.
Youth Action Council
of Arizona (YAC-
Az), David Carey: 602-443-0723
Sponsored by Southwest Institute for Children and Families withSpecial
Needs (SWI), it fosters self advocacy and social activities for youth with
disabilities ages 15-30.
Legally blind people are allowed a higher deduction on Federal
taxes. (You will need to submit a
doctor’s statement that you qualify.) In
addition, people with disabilities can get Federal tax forms done for free, by
appointment, at the local IRS office.
The Arizona Department of Revenue assists with State tax preparation.
Free tax preparation can also be found at adult centers, and at ABIL.
------------
TECHNOLOGY
Assistive Technology Computer Help Desk: 1-888-825-0080
AzTAP = Arizona Technology Access
Program: 602-728-9534
2400 N. Central Ave., Ste. 300
Assistive Technology Resource Center offering programs such as
Short-term Equipment Loan, Equipment Demonstration,
Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center (MARC), The Arizona Assistive
Technology Exchange (ATEX - www.azatexchange.org),
Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology (AzLAT), and The Arizona
Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (AzTEDP).
Extreme Internet: 480-368-4638
A local Internet provider staffed by people familiar with assistive
technology.
Geeks on Call:
1-800-905-GEEK = 905-
4336, X2407 or
direct to local office: 480-632-8003
Provide expert
computer trouble-shooting, including issues with assistive technology, in your
own home or workplace . You can pay for
one visit at a time, or sign up for a 12-month service agreement.
OcuTrade: www.ocutrade.com
Auction site for
visually impaired products (buy & sell).
SightExchange: an e-mail group which allows subscribers to offer
unwanted items and search for items that serve the needs of people who are visually
impaired. The goal is to recycle these often expensive items by passing them on
once they are no longer needed. Subscribe to this list by sending an e-mail to
sightexchange-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Technology Loans
Low-interest loans for purchasing assistive
technology are available; below are 2 possible sources.
Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology (AzLAT),
AZTAP: 602-728-9534 www.azlat.org/
Supervised students do cleaning and X-rays, which are read by a
dentist. The process is time-consuming
but affordable.
Phoenix College Dental
Hygiene Clinic:
602-285-7323
1202 W. Thomas Rd., building R
Rio Salado College
Dental Hygiene Clinic:
480-517-8020
1150 E. Washington, Phoenix
Carrington College:
480-717-3510
1300 S. Country
Club Dr., Suite 2, Mesa, AZ.
------------
TRANSPORTATION
ADA Paratransit Eligibility: 602-534-3157
302 N. 1st Ave., Ste. 610, Phx. 85003
For Phoenix
DAR ticket books, Phoenix residents should call Phoenix Central Station
Customer Service at 602-495-5795.
Glendale Dial-a-Ride: 623-930-3500
Share the Ride - car pooling: www.valleymetro.sharetheride.com
Valley Metro Transit Information (bus/light rail):
602-253-5000. www.valleymetro.com
In addition to the usual bus routes, many cities
have “circulators,” that are free.
Airport Navigators: 602-273-3354
Volunteers to assist travelers at Sky Harbor
Airport.
Airport Chaplaincy
Services: 602-244-1346
The Chapel is in
Terminal 4, northeast area, by the Crurrency Exchange.
-----------
VOTING
Maricopa County has
accessible voting machines, which can provide either large print or audio. In addition, ballots and pre-election
information– are available in alternative formats. Call in advance to request your preference -
Accessibility Specialist Tammy Patrick (Federal Compliance Officer):
Just Vote Arizona Disability Coalition: jvadc.org
Maricopa County Elections
Department: 602-506-1511
Voter Registration
Hotline: 1-877-the-vote = 1-877-843-8683
www.servicearizona.com
Election information
by phone or online –
The Sun Sounds Voter
Information Project = VIP:
1-877-517-8711 (number may
change; can check with Sun Sounds – 480-774-8300)
------------
World Blind Union: www.worldblindunion.org
Works to improve the
lives of blind people all over the world.