Information and Referral
Aids and Devices
Information and Referral
American Association of Retired Persons
601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049
(202) 434-3525
Toll-free: 1-888-687-2277
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.aarp.org/
Offers educational programs, and information on products and services; publishes a wide range of education and consumer materials.
American Council of the Blind
225 Reinekers Lane
Suite 660
Alexandria, VA 22314
(202) 467-5081
Toll-free: 1-800-424-8666
Fax: (703) 465-5085
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.acb.org
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national membership organization whose purpose is to work toward independence, security, equality of opportunity, and improved quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. Founded in 1961, ACB's members work through more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people. Provides information and referral, legislative and disability related advocacy, and publishes magazine, “The ACB Braille Forum,” in braille, large print, on digital cartridge, via podcast and electronically. This magazine is free to members. Also available is “The ACB E-Forum,” published electronically (email, podcast and online) in the even months of the year.
American Foundation for the Blind
1401 S. Clark St., Suite 730
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (212) 502-7600
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.afb.org
Offers books on aging and blindness. Check www.afb.org/store for titles of books available, their formats and how to order.
Association of Area Agencies on Aging
1100 New Jersey Ave. SE, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 872-0888
Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Fax: (202) 872-0057
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.n4a.org/
Eldercare Locator web site: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging's primary mission is to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. It represents America’s national network of agencies on aging and provides a voice in the nation’s capital for the Title VI Native American aging programs. Offers a variety of informational brochures helpful to aging folks, their families, friends and caregivers.
EyeCare America
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
Toll-free: 1-877-887-6327
Fax: (415) 561-8567
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.eyecareamerica.org/
EyeCare America provides referrals for disadvantaged individuals over 65 who do not have access to an ophthalmologist they have seen in the past. Eyeglasses, prescriptions, hospital services and fees of other medical professionals are not covered. Contact them to determine if you are eligible for their services. Also has a glossary of eye-related terms online, along with photos of vision simulations with various eye conditions and animations of various eye conditions.
Health in Aging
40 Fulton St., 18th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: (212) 308-1414
Fax: (212) 832-8646
Email: [email protected]
Web site: https://www.healthinaging.org/
Offers educational materials for older adults and caregivers, as well as information on finding a geriatrics healthcare professional in your area.
Lighthouse Guild
250 W. 64th St.
New York, NY 10023
Toll-free: 1-800-284-4422
To send an email, go to https://lighthouseguild.org/contact/
Web site: www.lighthouse.org
Has information on a variety of eye conditions and provides local referrals through a database of resources for people with low vision.
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
1577 Spring Hill Rd., Suite 310
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 942-5711
Fax: (703) 563-9504
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.naela.org/
Has brochures on topics of interest to people concerned with elder law issues, such as age discrimination, elder abuse, estate planning, durable powers of attorney, Medicare and Medicaid. Call or write them for more information.
National Council on Aging
251 18th St. S., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
(571) 527-3900
Toll-free: 1-800-677-1116
To send email, go to https://www.ncoa.org/get-involved/contact-us/email/
Web site: www.ncoa.org/
Provides information and referral, advocacy and brochures of interest to older Americans. Also publishes bimonthly newsletters.
National Eye Institute
Information Office
31 Center Dr., MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
(301) 496-5248
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.nei.nih.gov/
Eye health information: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/
NEI publications catalog: http://catalog.nei.nih.gov/default.aspx
The National Eye Institute is a division of the National Institutes of Health. It collects and distributes information on prevention, detection, and treatment of eye disorders. Also has children’s eye health information.
National Institute on Aging
NIA Information Center
Building 31, Room 5C27
31 Center Dr., MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892
Toll-free: 1-800-222-2225
TTY: 1-800-222-4225
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.nia.nih.gov/
Publications: http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication
Provides several brochures on conditions often associated with aging, including Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, legal and financial planning, memory and cognitive health, men’s and women’s health, and end of life.
Prevent Blindness America
225 W. Wacker Dr., Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll-free: 1-800-331-2020
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.preventblindness.org
Has informational brochures on eye conditions and conducts public and professional education programs on prevention of blindness.
Resources for Rehabilitation
22 Bonad Rd.
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 368-9080
Fax: (781) 368-9096
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.rfr.org/
Publishes “Living with Low Vision: A Resource Guide for People with Sight Loss,” a directory of services and products for people with low vision of all ages, including self-help groups, the ADA, high-tech equipment, Internet resources and more. 18-point bold type.
Social Security Administration
Toll-free: 1-800-772-1213
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Web site: www.ssa.gov/
Administers Supplemental Security Income for the blind, aged and disabled. Has local and regional offices nationwide.
State Government Resources
Every state government provides rehabilitation and aging services. Contact your state rehabilitation agency for independent living services. For all other services, contact your area agency on aging.
Time to Be Bold
Website: timetobebold.org
Time To Be Bold is a national public awareness campaign affiliated with The Independent Living Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC) is a part of the National Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University. Their mission is to educate, engage and empower people who are 55+ with low vision to maintain/regain their independence by utilizing the free or low-cost services provided by their respective states. Services are available to individuals who are 55 and older. Requirements vary by state and might include a medical eye report verifying conditions and the status of employment.
APH ConnectCenter, VisionAware
Website: APH ConnectCenter.org
Email: [email protected]
Are you or a family member having difficulty seeing? Or perhaps been diagnosed with an eye condition such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone: vision problems affect 25 million Americans, and they are on the rise.
VisionAware is a free, easy-to-use informational service for adults who are blind or have low vision, their families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and social service professionals. Visitors will find tips and resources on living with blindness or low vision; information on eye diseases and disorders; a searchable, free Directory of Services; and resources for professionals in the field.
Aids and Devices
Also see ACB’s list of catalogs of useful products and resource list for people with low vision.
EZ2See Products
To send an email, go to https://ez2seeproducts.com/contact/
Web site: www.ez2seeproducts.com
Produces a unique, large print-large writing space weekly planner.
Independent Living Aids
137 Rano St.
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 332-2970
Toll-free: 1-800-537-2118
Toll-free fax: 1-855-937-3906
To send an e-mail, go to www.independentliving.com/contact.asp.
Web site: www.independentliving.com/
Has watches, clocks, canes, kitchen items, slates and styluses, household, personal and recreation items, voice activated TV remote, magnifiers, large button cordless phone, talking pagers, sewing aids, tools, medical devices including diabetic aids, and more.
LS&S LLC
145 River Rock Dr.
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 348-3500
Toll-free: 1-800-468-4789
Toll-free fax: 1-877-498-1482
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.lssproducts.com/
Sells a variety of CCTVs and accessories; iZOOM, Window-Eyes and ZoomText software; braille translation software; large-print and big-key keyboards; scanners; reading machines; Victor Reader Streams; bar code readers; magnifiers; lamps and lighting products; and more.
Maxi-Aids, Inc.
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
To order, call 1-800-522-6294.
For information, call (631) 752-0521.
Fax: (631) 752-0689
TTY: (631) 752-0738
To send an e-mail, go to http://www.maxiaids.com/contactus
Web site: www.maxiaids.com
Maxi-Aids sells a variety of braille displays, cell phones and accessories, headsets and adaptive computer accessories, large print and braille keyboards, keyboard overlays, computer systems, magnifiers, DAISY players, scanning and reading appliances, screen magnification software, braille translation software, and text-to-speech software, among other products.
S&S Worldwide
75 Mill St.
Colchester, CT 06415
(860) 537-3451
Toll-free: 1-800-288-9941
Fax: 1-800-566-6678
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.ssww.com
Sells a wide variety of items, from large print easy-to-read bingo cards to games, puzzles, craft kits, adapted sports equipment, therapeutic items, daily living aids, easels, magnifying lights, exercise bands, weights, mats, and machines, and a variety of furniture items (portable and stand-alone).
Universal Low Vision Aids, Inc.
200 E. Campus View Blvd.
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43235
(614) 224-6465
Toll-free: 1-855-462-8582
Fax: (614) 701-9908
To send e-mail, go to http://dp1.ultracartstore.com/contact/
Web site: www.ulva.com/
Sells a wide variety of video magnifiers. Also sells Duxbury braille translation software, ZoomText Fusion, ZoomText Magnifier, and ZoomText Magnifier/Reader software; Kurzweil 1000 software; Talking Typing Teacher; digital recorders and players; braille displays; talking GPS units; large-number big-key keyboards; talking bar code scanners; scanning-and-reading appliances; and much more.
Updated 1/22/2024