The following organizations provide information, products and/or services to parents or teachers of blind and visually impaired children. In addition to these organizations, contact your state education department for early intervention and childhood learning enhancement information. This is not intended as a complete list or an endorsement.
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(800) 223-1839
(502) 895-2405
fax (502) 899-2274
e-mail:
info@aph.org
website:
American Printing House for the Blind
Manufactures educational aids for blind and visually impaired persons, has an educational
research program and sells books in braille, large print, disk and cassette. Has database for
locating textbooks and other materials in accessible media.
Association for the Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (AER)
4600 Duke Street, Suite 430
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 823-9690
e-mail:
aer@aerbvi.org
website:
AER Online
An organization which renders support and assistance to professionals in all phases of
education and rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired children and adults.
Blind Babies Foundation
5016 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 586-6140
fax (415) 586-6279
e-mail:
bbfinfo@blindbabies.org
website:
Blind Babies Foundation
Central/northern California no-cost home-based early intervention, giving support and
advocacy to families, and in-service training and consultation for professionals.
Canadian Foundation for Aniridia Research
3780 Verdun Ave. Ste 2
Montreal, Quebec H4G 1K6 Canada
phone/fax (514) 761-5998 please call before faxing
e-mail:
cfar@generation.net
website:
Aniridia Network International
They raise awareness of and have support for parents and persons with Aniridia.
Council for Exceptional Children
1110 N. Glebe Road, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-5704
(703) 620-3660
(888) 232-7773
TTY (text only) (703) 264-9446
fax (703) 264-9494
e-mail:
service@cec.sped.org
website:
Council for Exceptional Children
Works to improve the educational outcome of students with disabilities, has information on
educational opportunities, and hosts ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center)
clearinghouse on disabilities and gifted education information.
Council of Families with Visual Impairment
c/o American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 467-5081
fax (202) 467-5085
e-mail:
info@acb.org
website:
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
Provides support and information for parents of blind and visually impaired children, holds an
annual conference and publishes a newsletter.
FamilyConnect
For parents of children with visual impairments
Foundation for the Junior Blind
5300 Angeles Vista Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 295-4555
fax (323) 296-0424
e-mail:
info@fjb.org
website:
Foundation for the Junior Blind of America
Offers a children's special education school, residential living center, infant-family program
and day camping in the Los Angeles area.
Hadley School for the Blind
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-8111
(800) 323-4238
fax (847) 446-0855
e-mail:
info@hadley.edu
website:
The Hadley School for the Blind
The Hadley School for the Blind offers over 100 distance education courses to blind and visually impaired students, their families and professionals in
the blindness field. Courses are available in braille, large print, on audio cassette and online.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20542
(202) 707-5100
(800) 424-8567
fax (202) 707-0712
TDD (202) 707-0744
e-mail:
NLS@loc.gov
website:
Home Page of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
NLS offers a number of helpful resources for parents in accessible format available through
your regional NLS library.
NLS also provides reference services on blindness-related topics.
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
Box 317
Watertown, MA 02272-0317
(617) 972-7441
(800) 562-6265
fax (617) 972-7444
website:
NAPVI
Operates a national clearinghouse and support network for information, education, and
referral. Has workshops and conferences for parents and helps parents get local groups started.
Services available for members include: a parent matching service for parents whose children
have similar eye conditions, a quarterly newsletter Awareness available in print and cassette, as
well as legislative updates. Membership dues start at $25.00 per year.
National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC)
1522 K Street NW, Suite 1032
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 408-3338
fax (202) 408-3340
e-mail:
napsec@aol.com
website:
National Association of Private Special Education Centers
Publishes a membership directory containing lists and descriptions of private special
education schools throughout the United States and a free referral service.
Easter Seals, Inc.
230 W. Monroe St., Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 726-6200
(800) 221-6827
fax (312) 726-1494
e-mail:
info@easter-seals.org
website:
Easter Seals: Helping people with disabilities gain greater independence
Services at 450 locations for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Major
services include medical rehabilitation, job training and employment, inclusive, child care,
camping, recreation and adult day services.
National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
111 Middle Neck Rd.
Sands Point, NY 11050
(516) 944-8900
(800) 255-0411
fax (516) 944-7302
e-mail: NFADB@aol.com
website: http://www.NFADB.org
A national organization which advocates for persons who are deaf-blind, and encourages
founding and strengthening of family organizations in each state dedicated to assisting families
of persons who are deaf-blind. NFADB regional representatives can be contacted to share
information and provide resources and referrals.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
(202) 884-8200 Voice/TDD
(800) 695-0285 Voice/TDD
(202) 884-8441 Fax
e-mail:
nichcy@aed.org
website:
NICHCY Home
Clearinghouse for information about disabled children and youth to age 22. Materials are
available in English and Spanish.
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
PO Box 959
East Hampstead, NH 03826-0959
(603) 887-2310
(800) 473-2310
(603) 887-6049 Phone/Fax
e-mail:
info@albinism.org
website:
NOAH - The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
A volunteer group for persons with Albinism and their families. It works on self-help and
promotes research and education, not diagnosis, treatment or genetic counseling.
PACER, Inc.
8161 Normandale Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
(952) 838-9000
(952) 838-0190 TTY
(800) 537-2237 Toll-Free
e-mail:
pacer@pacer.org
website:
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
Offers individual help by telephone, free written materials, and workshops for parents of
children and young adults with disabilities.
ROPARD
P.O. Box 250425
Franklin, Michigan 48025
(800) 788-2020
e-mail:
ropard@yahoo.com
website:
ROPARD: Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Retinal Diseases
They fund clinically relevant basic science and clinical research to eliminate retinopathy
of prematurity, and innovative work leading directly to the development of new low vision
devices and teaching techniques for children. The include on their website a very thorough list of
household items that can be stimulative toys.
Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education
Box 59
East Chatham, NY 12060
(518) 392-6900
e-mail:
allpie@taconic.net
website:
The Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education
The Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education assists and encourages parental
involvement in education whether in school, private school, or at home. Distributes books,
including How to Write an IEP by John Arena; public law information related to children with
disabilities.
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
(212) 502-7600
(800) 232-5463
fax (212) 502-7777
e-mail:
afbinfo@afb.org
website:
American Foundation for the Blind - Home Page
Books include: Promoting Acceptance of Children with Disabilities From Tolerance to
Inclusion; Early Focus: Working with Young Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Their
Families; Children with Visual Impairments: A Parent's Guide; Parenting Preschoolers:
Suggestions for Raising Young Blind and Visually Impaired Children, and many more.
American Printing House for the Blind
(see Organizations for contact information)
Blindskills, Inc.
Box 5181
Salem, OR 97304-0181
(503) 581-4224
(800) 860-4224
fax (503) 581-0178
e-mail:
blindskl@teleport.com
website:
Blindskills, Inc. - Publisher of Dialogue
Publishes Dialogue, a quarterly magazine, containing resources, including student issues
in braille, large print and cassette.
Brookline Books
Box 1047
Cambridge, MA 02238
(617) 868-0360
(800) 666-2665
fax (617) 868-1772
e-mail:
brooklinebks@delphi.com
website:
Brookline Books/Lumen Editions
Carries books useful to parents of disabled children.
Exceptional Teaching Aids, Inc.
20102 Woodbine Ave.
Castro Valley, CA 94546
(800) 549-6999
fax (510) 582-5911
e-mail:
ExTeaching@aol.com
website:
Exceptional Teaching Home Page
They carry the Mangold Developmental Programs for learning braille and math, raised line
coloring books, braille blocks, world maps, and other items.
Lighthouse Enterprises Publications Order Dept.
111 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
(800) 829-0500
e-mail:
info@Lighthouse.Org
website:
Lighthouse International
Has pamphlets and publications helpful to parents of blind and visually impaired children and
En-vision, a website periodical for parents and educators.
Love Publishing Company
9101 East Kenyon Avenue, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80237
(303) 221-7333
fax: 303-221-7444
e-mail:
lovepublishing@compuserve.com
website:
Love Publishing
They publish a wide variety of books including Introduction to Special Education, Special
Education, Special Education Law, Teaching Special Children in Regular Classrooms.
Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness/Low
Vision
PO Drawer 6189
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(602) 325-2001
fax (602) 325-8989
e-mail:
Schaefer@ra.msstate.edu
website:
RRTC on Blindness and Low Vision
The Transition to College for Students with Visual Impairments and other books.
National Alliance of Blind Students
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 467-5081
(800) 424-8666
fax (202) 467-5085
website:
The National Alliance of Blind Students
A membership organization of blind and visually impaired college students with support and
information available through their newsletter The Student Advocate, their state chapters and
their annual meeting.
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6160
(888) 965-8965
fax (617) 437-0456
e-mail for orders:
orders@nbp.org
website:
National Braille Press - NBP
Offers braille publications with helpful parenting information.
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
(800) 638-3775
fax (410) 337-8539
e-mail:
custserv@brookespublishing.com
website:
Brookes Publishing | Books on Education, Disabilities, Early Intervention, Mental Health, and Literacy
Publishes books helpful to families with disabled children.
Pro-ed
8700 Shoal Creek Blvd.
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 451-3246
(800) 897-3202
fax (800) 397-7633
e-mail:
info@proedinc.com
website:
proedinc.com home
Their focus is primarily special education. One title is: Can't Your Child See?: A Guide
for Parents of Visually Impaired Children. The cost iis $28.00 plus shipping/handling.
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 897-3570
(800) 843-7323
fax (301) 897-5838
e-mail:
info@woodbinehouse.com
website:
Special-Needs Collection Books, ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome
Publishes: Negotiating the Special Education Maze which has information on state special
education programs and Children with Visual Impairments: A Parent's Guide.
Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
2000 M Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 638-1144
fax (202) 638-0851
Publications:
800) 899-4301
email:
orders@zerotothree.org
website:
ZERO TO THREE's Web Site
This group works to spread information on successful programs and new approaches in
child development to professionals and parents.
American Foundation for the Blind
(See Books and Publications section of this list for contact information.)
AFB recently launched Braille Bug, an interactive channel on AFB's website created to teach
sighted children about braille and to encourage literacy among all children, sighted and visually
impaired. You may reach Braille Bug at http://www.afb.org/braillebug.
American Printing House for the Blind
Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(800) 223-1839
(502) 895-2405
fax (502) 895-1509
e-mail:
info@aph.org
website:
American Printing House for the Blind
Items include early childhood development items, large type and tactile maps and globes,
puzzles and toys, wooden construction sets, children's books and more.
BOOMERANG
Box 261
Lahonda, CA 94020
(800) 333-7858
e-mail:
Boomkids@aol.com
website:
Welcome to BOOMERANG!
Publishers of a monthly children's magazine on cassette for ages 6-12. Covers a range of
topics including: general interest, humor, current events, history and money matters.
Introductory subscription rate is $43.95 per year.
The audio-magazine is now offered on both cassette and CD.
Enabling Devices, Inc.
Toys for Special Children
385 Warburton Avenue
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(800) 832-8697
fax (914) 478-7030
e-mail:
info@enablingdevices.com
website:
Enabling Devices
This company offers sensory development toys.
A Gentle Wind
Box 3103
Albany, NY 12203
(888) 386-7664 (toll free)
Questions:
(518) 482-9023
e-mail:
hello@gentlewind.com
website:
A Gentle Wind Online
They have award-winning books on tape for children.
Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon St.
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7336
(800) 972-7671
fax (617) 972-7334
info@Perkins.org
Perkins School for the Blind
Perkins produces a number of publications, workbooks and instructional tools for relatives and other caregivers of people who are blind, visually impaired,
deafblind or with multiple disabilities. Expected to be available in May 2004 is the Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program, a compilation of materials
designed to teach early literacy skills to children with visual impairments and to help parents be more involved in their child's literacy development.
It is also very appropriate for parents and grandparents with visual impairments for use with sighted (grand)children.
Jason & Nordic Publishers
Box 441
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
(814) 696-2920
fax (814) 696-4250
e-mail:
turtlbks@nb.net
website:
Jason and Nordic Publishing
Publishers of the Turtle Books series of children's books which have main characters with
disabilities. This series has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. One book,
The Night Search, is about a young blind girl, learning about the value of her cane abilities. The
book is available in print or braille/print. Overbrook School for the Blind participated in the
creation of the book. They also have audio versions of some of their books.
The Lighthouse, Inc. Product Center
Lighthouse International
111 East 59th Street
New York, N.Y. 10022
(212) 821-9200
(800) 829-0500
e-mail:
retailstore@lighthouse.org
website:
Lighthouse International
Items include giant dominos, large print cards and large checkers/tic-tac-toe.
LS&S, LLC
Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
(847) 919-7728
(800) 468-4789, ext.218
fax (847) 498-2648
e-mail:
info@LSSonline.net
website:
LS&S, LLC - Products for the Visually Impaired & Hard of Hearing
Toys and games including: braille and large print: playing cards, board games, foam bell balls,
beeping sports balls, audible flying disk, talking chess computer, talking and braille dice and
more.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
(see Organizations section for contact information)
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6160
(888) 965-8965
fax (617) 437-0456
e-mail for orders:
orders@nbp.org
website:
National Braille Press - NBP
They have a children's braille-print book club and braille books for children, including the
Harry Potter books.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
20 Roszel Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
(800) 221-4792
e-mail:
custserv@rfbd.org
website:
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic National Headquarters
Provides recorded textbooks for students with print disabilities.
Science Products for the Blind
Box 888
Southeastern, PA 19399
(800) 888-7400 or (800) 222-2148
Sensory books (to age 10).
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
Box 51924
Livonia, MI 48151-5924
(800) 777-8552
fax (734) 427-8552
e-mail:
info@seedlings.org
website:
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
They have over 50 titles for children ages 1-14. In addition to all braille chapter books,
Seedlings offers print and braille books, as well as print and braille picture books.
Spoken Arts
195 South White Rock Rd.
Holmes, NY 12531
(800) 326-4090
fax (914) 633-4620
e-mail:
sales@spokenartsmedia.com
website:
Spoken Arts
Publishers of award-winning book/cassette combinations.
Sportime
One Sportime Way
Atlanta, GA 30340
(800) 444-5700
fax (800) 845-1535
e-mail:
customer.service@sportime.com
website:
Sportime
They sell a variety of sports supplies for persons with
Disabilities and a teachers guide to help with inclusion.
Toy Industry Association
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
(212) 675-1141
fax (212) 633-1429
e-mail:
info@toy-tia
website:
Toy Industry Association
Publisher of Guide to Toys for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. Toys listed are
commonly available. The guide can be read on the website and you can order a print copy via
the website or in print or cassette by sending them your address.
Toys for the Handicapped
4537 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044
(800) 467-6222
fax (724) 444-6411
e-mail:
info@tfhusa.com
website:
TFH
Products include construction blocks, touch and feel books, activity quilt, geometric shape
activities, giant floor activity boards, tactile puzzles and sorting boards, Velcro dolls,
multi-sensory toys, electrical organ and vibrating toys.
VTech-Video Technology Industries, Inc.
2350 Ravine Way, Suite 100Ravine Way, Suite 100
Glenview, IL 60025
(800) 521-2010
fax (847) 400-3605
e-mail:
vtech@vtechkids.com
website:
VTech-Video Technology Industries, Inc.
Carries a variety of talking: stuffed toys and electronic educational/fun products.
ZBS Foundation
174 North River Rd
Fort Edward, NY 12828
(800) 662-3345 (Alaskan, Hawaiian and foreign customers, (518) 695-6406)
fax (518) 695-4041
e-mail:
info@zbs.org
website:
ZBS Foundation
Has audio cassettes of science fiction and adventure for the whole family.
Page last modified 4/6/2009
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