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.
Organizations
Books, Publications, and Other Products
Toys, Games, Books and Software for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
Organizations
ACB Families
c/o American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
(202) 467-5081
fax: (703) 465-5085
[email protected]
www.acb.org
Provides support and information for parents of blind and visually impaired children, holds an annual conference and publishes a newsletter.
Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education
29 Kinderhook Street
Chatham, NY 12037
[email protected]
www.allpie.org (under construction)
The Alliance for Parental Involvement in Education assists and encourages parental involvement in education whether in school, private school, or at home.
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
502-895-2405
Fax: (502) 899-2284
[email protected]
www.aph.org
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 Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (AER)
1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 440
Alexandria, VA 22311
Toll Free: 877-492-2708
703-671-4500
Fax: 703-671-6391
[email protected]
www.aerbvi.org/
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
1814 Franklin Street, Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94612
510-446-2229
Fax: 510-446-2262
[email protected]
https://www.wayfinderfamily.org/program/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.
Council for Exceptional Children
2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 1000
Arlington, VA 22202-3557
Toll Free: 888-232-7773
[email protected],
www.cec.sped.org
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.
Easter Seals Inc.
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll Free: 800-221-6827
312-726-6200
Fax (312) 726-1494
To send an e-mail, go to www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_contactus
www.easterseals.com/
https://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer
Services 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.
The Hadley School for the Blind
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093-2554
Toll Free: 800-323-4238
847-446-8111
Fax: 847-446-0855
[email protected]
www.hadley.edu/
The Hadley School for the Blind offers over tuition-free distance education courses to blind and visually impaired students.
Junior Blind of America
5300 Angeles Vista Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
Toll Free: 800-352-2290
323-295-4555
Fax: 323-296-0424
[email protected]
www.juniorblind.org/
Offers a children's special education school, residential living center, infant-family program and day camping in the Los Angeles area.
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
P.O. Box 317
Watertown, MA 02471
Toll Free: 800-562-6265
617-972-7441
Fax: 617-972-7444
[email protected]
www.spedex.com/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.
National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC)
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 900 - South Building
Washington, DC 20004
202-434-8225
Fax: 202.434.8224
[email protected]
www.napsec.org/
Publishes a NAPSEC Member Programs list containing links to private special education schools throughout the United States and a free referral service.
National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
Anne Henderson, Interim Chair
1201 16th Street NW, Suite 317
Washington DC 20036
202-822-7312
www.ncpie.org/Resources/ParentsFamilies.cfm
NCPIE's mission is to advocate the involvement of parents and families in their children's education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation's young people. One of its collaborative projects is the Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) project, which is a partnership that aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The project is designed to address the information needs of the 6 million families throughout the Country whose children with disabilities receive special education services. To learn more about the FAPE project, visit www.fape.org/.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
Toll Free: 800-695-0285
202-884-8200
Fax: 202-884-8441
[email protected]
www.nichcy.org/
Clearinghouse for information about disabled children and youth to age 22. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
141 Middle Neck Rd.
Sands Point, NY 11050
Toll Free: 800-255-0411
[email protected]
www.NFADB.org
NFADB, a national organization, exists to empower the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and advocate for their unique needs.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
202-707-5100
Fax: 202-707-0712
[email protected]
www.loc.gov/nls/
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.
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
PO Box 959
East Hampstead, NH 03826-0959
Toll Free: 800-473-2310 (U.S. and Canada)
603-887-2310
Fax: 800-648-2310
[email protected]
www.albinism.org/
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
Toll Free: 888.248.0822
Toll-free: (800) 537-2237 (* in Minnesota only)
952-838-9000
Fax: 952.838.0199
To send an e-mail, go to www.pacer.org/forms/
www.pacer.org/
Offers individual help by telephone, e-mail or by postal mail. They free written materials, and workshops for parents of children and young adults with disabilities.
ROPARD (Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases)
P.O. Box 250425
Franklin, MI 48025
800-788-2020
[email protected]
www.ropard.org/
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.
WonderBaby
Website: www.wonderbaby.org
WonderBaby provides tips on helping blind babies grow and develop, braille resources, ideas for multi-sensory activities, tips on how to advocate and manage the IEP process, lists of accessible toys, and so much more!
Books, Publications, and Other Products
ACB Students
c/o American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
Toll Free: 800-424-8666
202-467-5081
Fax: 703-465-5085
[email protected]
https://acbstudents.org/
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.
American Foundation for the Blind
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
212-502-7600
Toll Free Fax: 888-545-8331
[email protected]
www.afb.org
Searches can be made at https://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/HomePage.aspx
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
502-895-2405
Fax: (502) 899-2284
[email protected]
www.aph.org
Sells books in braille, large print, disk and cassette.
Blindskills, Inc.
P.O. Box 5181
Salem, OR 97304-0181
Toll Free: 800-860-4224
503-581-4224
Fax: 503-581-0178
[email protected]
www.blindskills.com/
Blindskills publishes DIALOGUE, a quarterly magazine primarily written by and for visually impaired people. DIALOGUE is available in several accessible formats: large print, cassette, braille, e-mail, and new NLS-compatible digital cartridge. Every issue includes tips on adapting to life with low vision, techniques for easier daily living, career interviews, recreation and sports, technology reviews, and descriptions of new products and services designed for people with visual impairments.
Brookline Books
8 Trumbull Rd, Suite B-001
Northampton, MA 01060
Toll Free: 800-666-2665
603-669-7032
[email protected]
www.brooklinebooks.com/ (Website being revised at this time)
Carries books useful to parents of disabled children.
Brookes Publishing
P.O. Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
Toll Free: 800-638-3775
Fax: 410-337-8539
To send an e-mail, go to https://brookespublishing.com/customer-service/contact-us/product-inquiries/
www.brookespublishing.com/
Publishes books helpful to families with children with disabilities.
Creative Adaptations for Learning
8 Trumbull Rd, Suite B-001
Northampton, MA 01060
Toll Free: 800 666 2665
603 669 7032
[email protected]
www.cal-s.org
The company develops products that feature tactile illustrations for people who are blind or visually impaired, as well as for those with autism, dyslexia or cognitive disabilities. Every product provides a wide variety of uses, adapting to the learner's needs, and can be used for crafts and imaginative exercises. Products include shape flashcards, illustrated alphabet flashcards with raised print and braille letters, counting cards with raised shapes, language development skills flashcards, all-occasion notecards, and many other items. Call for a catalog.
Exceptional Teaching Inc.
3994 Oleander Way
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Toll Free: 800-549-6999
510-889-7282
Fax: 510-889-7382
[email protected]
https://exceptionalteaching.com/
Offers a wide assortment of educational games and toys for teaching exceptional children. Our selection includes motivational reading games, teaching aids for those with special needs and learning disabilities, living aids products for blind individuals, and much more! You will find an assortment of braille products and braille curriculum, too, including the Mangold Combined Reading and Math Program, and the SAL2 Mangold Braille Reading Program for those who wish to learn braille.
Lighthouse International
Publications
111 E 59th St,
New York NY 10022-1202
Toll Free: 800.829.0500
212-821-9200
Fax: 212-821-9707
[email protected]
www.lighthouse.org/
Has pamphlets and publications helpful to parents of blind and visually impaired children.
Love Publishing Company
9101 E. Kenyon Ave., Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80237
303-221-7333
Fax: 303-221-7444
[email protected]
www.lovepublishing.com/
They publish a wide variety of books including Special Education Policy and Practice, Challenging Orthodoxy in Special Education: Dissenting Voices, and many more titles.
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
[email protected]
www.blind.msstate.edu/
MSU-RRTC has published "The Transition to College for Students with Visual Impairments" and other books.
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
617-266-6160
Toll Free: 888-965-8965
Bookstore: Toll Free: 800-548-7323 ext. 520
Fax 617-437-0456
[email protected]
www.nbp.org
Offers braille publications with helpful parenting information.
PRO-ED, Inc.
8700 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78757-6897
Toll Free: 800-897-3202
512-451-3246
Toll Free Fax: 800-397-7633
Fax: 512-451-8542
To send an e-mail, go to www.proedinc.com/customer/contactUs.aspx
www.proedinc.com/
Their focus is primarily special education. One title is: "Visual Impairments and Learning." It costs $47 plus shipping and handling.
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
Toll Free: 800-843-7323
301-897-3570
[email protected]
www.woodbinehouse.com/
Publishes "Children with Visual Impairments: A Parent's Guide," among other titles.
ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20037
202-638-1144
Fax: 202-638-0851
Toll Free Customer Service; 800-899-4301
[email protected]
www.zerotothree.org/
This group works to spread information on successful programs and new approaches in child development to professionals and parents. Publishes the “Zero to Three” journal
Toys, Games, Books and Software for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
A Gentle Wind
Box 3103
Albany, NY 12203
Toll Free: 888-386-7664
518-482-9023
[email protected]
www.gentlewind.com/
They have award-winning books on tape for children
American Foundation for the Blind
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121
212-502-7600
Toll Free Fax: 888-545-8331
[email protected]
Guide to Toys 2008
https://familyconnect.org/education/
AFB 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 www.afb.org/braillebug.
American Foundation for the Blind
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments Toy Guide
https://familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp?SectionID=83
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
502-895-2405
Fax: (502) 899-2284
[email protected]
www.aph.org
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
75 Pescadero Rd
La Honda, CA 94020
800-333-7858
[email protected]
www.boomkids.com/
Buy BOOMERANG Now! http://boomkids.squarespace.com/boomerang-now.html
In one BOOMERANG! audio adventure kids can sit in on an "interview" with Henri Matisse... scowl at the grown-up plot to shorten summer... help solve the neighborhood detective's latest case, hear two young brothers grapple with the concept of gravity.
CAPTEK/Science Products for the Blind
PO Box 144
Southeastern, PA 19399
Toll Free: 800-888-7400
610-296-2111
[email protected]
https://www.captek.net/Captek/Welcome.html
Talking currency counters/identifiers, talking coin counters/sorters, light sensor/talking calculator/shop tools, magnifiers, telescopes.
Enabling Devices
Toys for Special Children
50 Broadway
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Toll Free: 800-832-8697
914-747-3070
Fax: 914-747-3480
[email protected]
https://enablingdevices.com/
This company offers a catalog of specially adapted toys, sensory devices, books, useful devices, and many other items.
Jason & Nordic Publishers
PO Box 441
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814-696-2929
Fax 814-696-4250
[email protected]
www.jasonandnordic.com/
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. They also have audio versions of some of their books.
Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)
20 Roszel Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-750-1830
To send an e-mail, go to https://learningally.org/Contact-Us
https://learningally.org/
Provides recorded textbooks for students with print disabilities.
Lighthouse International
110 E. 60th St.
New York, NY 10022
The Lighthouse Store
212-821-9384
[email protected]
www.lighthouse.org/
Items include giant dominos, large print cards and large checkers, among other items.
LS&S, LLC
PO Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
Toll Free: 800-468-4789
716-348-3500
Toll Free Fax: 877-498-1482
716-873-3848
To send an e-mail, go to https://lssproducts.com/contact-us/
www.lssproducts.com/
Products include bell soccer balls, bell football, soft, fabric-covered foam balls, large magnetic letters, alphabet braille blocks, number braille blocks, tactile alphabet book, wikki sticks, braille animal kisses board book, braille snuggle puppy board book, braille cloudy with a chance of meatballs. raised line coloring book, and more.
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
Toll Free: 800-548-7323 ext. 520
617-266-6160
Fax 617-437-0456
[email protected]
www.nbp.org
They have a children's braille-print book club (https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/FLYERS.html) and braille books for children, including the Harry Potter books.
Perkins School for the Blind
175 N. Beacon St.
Watertown, MA 02472
617-924-3434
Fax 617-926-2027
[email protected]
www.perkins.org/
Perkins produces a number of publications, workbooks and instructional tools for relatives and other caregivers of people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind or with multiple disabilities. 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, is now available. It is also very appropriate for parents and grandparents with visual impairments for use with sighted (grand)children.
School Specialty
P.O. Box 1579
Appleton, WI 54912-1579
Toll Free: 800-283-5700
Fax: 1-888-388-6344
[email protected]
Hawaii and Alaska [email protected]
www.sportime.com/
They sell a variety of sports supplies for people with disabilities and a teacher's guide to inclusion of students with disabilities in regular physical education classes.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
P.O. Box 51924
Livonia, MI 48151-5924
Toll Free: 800-777-8552
734-427-8552
[email protected]
http://www.seedlings.org/
In addition to all braille chapter books, Seedlings offers print and braille books, as well as print and braille picture books, shirts and other novelty items.
Spoken Arts
195 South White Rock Road
Holmes, NY 12531
Toll Free: 800-326-4090
Fax: 845-878-9009
General Information and Sales: [email protected]
http://www.spokenartsinc.com//home.htm
Publishers of award-winning book/cassette and book/CD combinations.
TFH (USA) LTD (formerly Toys for the Handicapped)
4537 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Toll Free: 800-467-6222
Fax 724-444-6411
To send an e-mail, go to https://secure.specialneedstoys.com/usa/contact-form.php
www.specialneedstoys.com/usa/
Products include toys and games, music CDs, wind chimes, fans, arts and crafts items, and many more things.
Toy Industry Association
1115 Broadway
Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
212-675-1141
[email protected]
www.toyassociation.org/
Publishes “Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs”. Search for the title on the web, click on ”[PDF] Let's Play - ToyInfo.org” to open a PDF copy of the guide.
VTech Electronics North America, LLC
1156 W Shure Drive, Suite 200,
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Toll Free: 800-521-2010
Fax: 847-400-3601
[email protected]
Order Support: [email protected]
www.vtechkids.com/
Carries a variety of talking products, including stuffed toys and electronic educational/fun products.
ZBS Foundation
174 North River Road
Fort Edward, NY 12828
Toll Free: 800-662-3345
Alaskan, Hawaiian and foreign customers, call 518-695-6406)
Fax 518-695-4041
Customer Service: [email protected]
To send an e-mail, go to https://www.zbs.org/catalog/contact_us.php?osCsid=d28d8cf734b974f8f66a1ca4ded27e16
www.zbs.org/catalog/
Has audio cassettes of science fiction and adventure for the whole family. Sign up for their newsletter.