This list is not necessarily a complete listing of all organizations, manufacturers or distributors, nor does listing imply ACB endorsement.
Organizations
American Academy of Ophthalmology
PO Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 561-8500
Fax: (415) 561-8533
Email: customer_service@aao.org
Web site: www.aao.org/
Distributes information on eye disorders and low vision.
American Council of the Blind
1703 N. Beauregard St.
Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311
(202) 467-5081
1-800-424-8666
Fax: (703) 465-5085
Email: info@acb.org
Website: www.acb.org
Provides services to blind and visually impaired individuals and publishes a magazine, “The ACB Braille Forum,” every other month, which is available at www.acb.org and in braille, large print, digital cartridge, podcast and e-mail. Also available is “The ACB E-Forum,” available on the web site, via podcast, and via email. The email version is free; to subscribe, send a request to info@acb.org. Available free of charge to members; a subscription fee is charged for non-members, organizations, and foreign subscribers.
American Foundation for the Blind
1401 S. Clark St., Suite 730
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (212) 502-7600
Email: info@afb.net
Web site: www.afb.org
Publishes “Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness,” a peer-reviewed magazine that includes information and original research; advocates for policies that promote accessibility and ensure equality and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired; advocates for older adults experiencing vision loss; speaks up for children who are blind or visually impaired to make sure they have the resources they need, including textbooks and classroom materials; and publishes “AccessWorld®” magazine monthly, which contains a wide variety of information, including commentary, news blasts, product reviews, and trends in information technology and visual impairment.
American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
1st floor
St. Louis, MO 63141
Toll-free: 1-800-365-2219
To send an e-mail, go to https://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/contact-aoa
Web site: www.aoa.org
Provides information on low vision and maintains a list by state of their members who specialize in low vision. Call to request the list for your area.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
4000 Legato Rd., Suite 700
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 591-2220
Fax: (703) 591-0614
To send an e-mail, go to https://ascrs.org/contact-us
Web site: www.ascrs.org/
ASCRS has data on intraocular implantation, does research and promotes continuing education of ophthalmologists. Has brochures available on cataract surgery and radial keratotomy.
BrightFocus Foundation
22512 Gateway Center Dr.
Clarksburg, MD 20871
Toll-free: 1-800-437-2423
Fax: (301) 258-9454
Email: info@brightfocus.org
Web site: www.brightfocus.org/
The BrightFocus Foundation funds research seeking cures for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, and provides the public with information about risk factors, preventative lifestyles, available treatments and coping strategies. The web site has information about macular degeneration, treatment, risk factors, prevention, symptoms, resources, questions and answers, publications, news, and research.
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI)
Toll-free: 1-844-460-0625
Web site: www.cclvi.org
CCLVI is an international advocacy organization which publishes the quarterly magazine, Vision Access. Vision Access has information on living with low vision and is available in large print, cassette, e-mail or computer disk to members. Their mentoring and peer counseling program, Project Insight, is for people who are newly visually impaired or losing more vision. Project Insight is available nationwide. CCLVI advocates for low-vision issues, provides information and referral, as well as scholarships for college students with visual acuity less than 20/70 or who are planning to provide low vision services. Further information about CCLVI is available on the web site.
Eye Bank Association of America
1101 17th St. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 775-4999
Fax: (202) 429-6036
Email: info@restoresight.org
Web site: www.restoresight.org
Gives research grants to promote transplantation, certifies eye banks, and sets medical standards for the procurement, screening and distribution of corneal tissue for transplant. Also provides public education brochures on the above subjects.
Foundation Fighting Blindness
7168 Columbia Gateway Dr., Suite 100
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 423-0600
Toll-free: 1-800-683-5555
Email: info@FightBlindness.org
Web site: www.blindness.org
Holds regional and national workshops for volunteers and professionals. Has a public education and a retina donor program. Provides information and referral and awards research grants in the field of retinitis pigmentosa and other genetic retinal conditions.
Glaucoma Research Foundation
251 Post St., Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 986-3162 or 1-800-826-6693
Fax: (415) 986-3763
Email: question@glaucoma.org
Web site: www.glaucoma.org
Provides financial support for research in the field of glaucoma as well as distributing free educational material on glaucoma. Publishes “Gleams” newsletter three times a year.
The Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
700 Elm St.
Winnetka, IL 60093
Toll-free: 1-800-323-4238
(847) 446-8111
Fax: (847) 446-9916
Email: info@hadley.edu
Web site: www.hadley.edu
Provides tuition-free distance education to people with visual impairments and their family members.
IFB Solutions Community Low Vision Centers
Asheville, NC Office:
(828) 761-2468
Fax: (828) 318-8672
Contact: Grant Weathers – gweathers@ifbsolutions.org
Winston Salem, NC Office:
(336) 245-5672
Fax: (336) 245-0640
Contact: Shonn Redmon – sredmon@ifbsolutions.org
Phone: (336) 759-0551, ext. 5782
Little Rock, AR Office:
(501) 492-7516
Fax: (501) 246-8079
Contact: Toni Fraser – tfraser@ifbsolutions.org
IFB Solutions Community Low Vision Centers (CLVCs) exist to help foster greater independence. We help people with low vision use adaptive aids, computers, smart devices, and more to make everyday tasks simpler.
People with low vision visit our centers or mobile low vision facility to receive exams from specialized low vision physicians. These specialists evaluate and recommend specific technology. Our clients then work with low vision associates who also have low vision, so they understand the needs and opportunities.
All of the centers provide the latest technology and free training on all products. Visits are free and walk-ins are welcome. We’re open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.
Lighthouse Guild
250 W. 64th St.
New York, NY 10023
Toll-free: 1-800-284-4422
To send an email, go to https://www.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.
Low Vision Center
4905 Del Ray Ave., Suite 504
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 951-4444
E-mail: LowVisionCtr@aol.com
Web site: www.lowvisioninfo.org/
The Low Vision Center aims to help people with low vision discover the aids and strategies that will help them lead a full, happy, and independent life. Appointments are needed to visit LVC. A typical appointment lasts about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and may include discussion of lighting and contrast, hands-on demonstration of handheld magnifiers and CCTVs, and a chance to explore daily life aids such as talking clocks, writing guides, and touch enhancements. Publishes a quarterly newsletter, “EyePower.”
The Low Vision Centers of Indiana
Indianapolis Office: (317) 844-0919
Fort Wayne Office: (260) 432-0575
Hartford City: (765) 348-2020
Lafayette: (765) 490-5164
Web site: www.eyeassociates.com/
The Low Vision Centers of Indiana is a nationally recognized practice devoted to low-vision rehabilitation. It is one of the most awarded optometric practices in the world. It contains extensive information on all aspects of professional low-vision care and information on vision rehabilitation of stroke and brain-injury patients.
MD Support
3600 Blue Ridge Blvd.
Grandview, MO 64030
(816) 761-7080
Toll-free: 1-888-866-6148
E-mail: director@mdsupport.org
Web site: www.mdsupport.org/
Provides information and support for people who are affected by macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases. Offers a public awareness program designed to reach people who are without Internet access. Has a bookstore, run in cooperation with Amazon Books, featuring books on macular degeneration and other books of interest. Also has information on current clinical trials.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
355 Lexington Ave., 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Toll-free: 1-800-541-5454
Fax: (212) 297-2159
Email: mgfa@myasthenia.org
Web site: www.myasthenia.org
Provides information on, promotes cure of myasthenia gravis and holds professional, educational, and scientific symposia.
National Eye Institute
Information Office
31 Center Drive MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
(301) 496-5248
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Web site: www.nei.nih.gov/
Has information on visual impairment, supports training of eye researchers, and conducts research on eye and vision disorders. If you have any questions, problems or concerns about placing an order or about an existing order, please send e-mail to neipub@westat.com.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
1291 Taylor St. NW
Washington, DC 20542
(202) 707-5100
Toll-free: 1-888-657-7323
Fax: (202) 707-0712
Email: NLS@loc.gov
Web site: www.loc.gov/nls/
Loans braille and recorded books/magazines, book players, catalogs, bibliographies, music scores and music instruction materials free by mail via a national network of libraries. Call them for the number for your region. NLS also provides reference services on blindness-related topics.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
55 Kenosia Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 744-0100
Toll-free: 1-800-999-6673
Fax: (203) 798-2291
To send e-mail, go to: https://rarediseases.org/contact-us/.
Web site: www.rarediseases.org/
NORD is a federation of voluntary health groups which help people and groups regarding rare "orphan" diseases. By educational, advocacy, research and service programs, NORD works on identification, treatment, and cure of these disorders.
Perkins Access
175 N. Beacon St.
Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-7308
E-mail: access@Perkins.org
Web site: www.perkins.org/access
Offerings include a full range of assistive technology products – from the classic Perkins Brailler® to the latest screen-reading software – as well as customized trainings to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.
Prevent Blindness America
211 W. Wacker Dr.
Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll-free: 1-800-331-2020
Email: info@preventblindness.org
Web site: http://www.preventblindness.org/
Has informational brochures on eye conditions and conducts public and professional education programs on prevention of blindness.
Research to Prevent Blindness
360 Lexington Ave., 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10017-6528
(212) 752-4333
Toll-free: 1-800-621-0026
Email: inforequest@rpbusa.org
Web site: www.rpbusa.org/
Has fact sheets and brochures on eye diseases, and visual acuity cards to test your eyes for symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. Also offers medical research grants, provides information on eye research and advocates for eye research.
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
2318 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 345-2000
TTY: (415) 345-2290
Fax: (415) 345-8455
Web site: www.ski.org/
The Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) develops new technology and methods for understanding, assessment and rehabilitation of blindness and visual impairment. Their target population consists of persons who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind.
ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center
Mesa office:
1830 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 131
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 924-8755
Fax: (480) 854-1864
Sun City office:
10001 W. Bell Rd. #115
Sun City, AZ 85351
(623) 583-2800
Fax: (623) 583-1556
Toll-free (both offices): 1-866-924-8755
E-mail: Info@ViewFinderLowVision.com
Web site: www.viewfinderlowvision.com
The ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Centers are a nationally recognized optometric practice that specializes in low vision rehabilitation. ViewFinder’s doctors help their patients enhance their remaining vision with low-vision eyeglasses and microscopic and telescopic low-vision aids. They also prescribe other low-vision aids and services.
VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
500 Greenwich St., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10013-1354
(212) 625-1616
Toll-free: 1-888-245-8333
Fax: (212) 219-4078
Email: info@visionsvcb.org
Web site: www.visionsvcb.org/
VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired assists people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to lead independent and active lives in their homes and communities, and educates the public to understand the capabilities and needs of people who are blind or visually impaired so that they may be integrated into all aspects of community life. It provides individualized rehabilitation training at home or in the community; social services; employment training and job development; group and community education and activities.
Aids and Devices
Beyond Sight
5650 S. Windemere St.
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-6455
Fax: (303) 795-6425
To send an e-mail, go to www.beyondsight.com
Web site: www.beyondsight.com
Sells a variety of handheld, portable, desktop and video magnifiers, Duxbury braille translation software, Kurzweil 1000 software, CCTVs, a wide variety of talking and large-digit products, including GPS units, talking calculators, talking money identifiers, large-print keyboards, braille displays, braille embossers, braille and large-print games, large-print phone key stickers, large-number large-button phones, household items, canes and cane tips, and more.
The Big Type Company
W136 N5265 Campbell Ct.
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
1-800-933-1711
Fax: (262) 783-6599
E-mail: bigtypeco@yahoo.com
Web site: www.bigtypeco.com/
Products include a large-print calendar, address book, check register and bold writing pens.
CAPTEK/Science Products for the Blind
1043 Lincoln Hwy.
Berwyn, PA 19312
(610) 296-2111
Toll-free: 1-800-888-7401
Email: info@captek.net
Web site: http://www.captek.net/
Carries talking cash registers, talking calculators, coin and currency sorters/counters, scales, professional bill identifiers, talking multimeter, and other items.
eSight Eyewear
Website: https://esighteyewear.com/
Email: help@esighteyewear.com
Phone: (855) 837-4448
eSight Eyewear offers electronic glasses that enhance the vision of many people living with low vision or legal blindness. They have completed clinical validation studies with six leading eye research institutes and now have thousands of eSight wearers who live with over 20 eye conditions including macular degeneration, Stargardt’s disease, diabetic retinopathy, and more.
Electronic Vision Access Solutions (EVAS)
39 Canal St.
Westerly, RI 02891
Toll-free: 1-800-872-3827
TTY: (401) 596-3500
Fax: (401) 596-3979
E-mail: contact@evas.com
Web site: www.evas.com
EVAS offers a wide range of access technology products for people with disabilities, including speech synthesizers, screen readers, refreshable braille displays, braille and tactile graphics printers, large print software, OCR reading systems, specialized keyboards, ability switches, CCTV systems, TTYs and voice recognition software.
Enhanced Vision
5882 Machine Dr.
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 374-1829
Toll-free: 1-888-811-3161
Fax: (714) 465-3401
To send an e-mail, go to https://www.enhancedvision.com/contact-us/contact-enhanced-vision.html.
Web site: www.enhancedvision.com
Sells a wide variety of products designed for use by individuals with low vision, including CCTVs, electronic magnifiers, portable magnifiers, electronic monoculars, portable scan-and-read systems, and more.
EZ2See Products
To send an email, go to https://ez2seeproducts.com/contact/
Web site: www.ez2seeproducts.com
Produces a large print-large writing space calendar-planner.
HumanWare
1 UPS Way
PO Box 800
Champlain, NY 12919
Toll-free: 1-800-722-3393
Toll-free fax: 1-888-871-4828
E-mail: info@humanware.com
Web site: www.humanware.com/en-usa/home
Hardware includes braille displays, braille notetakers, talking GPS units, Victor Reader Streams (new generation), and embossers, desktop and handheld magnifiers, and more. Talking products include scan and read systems, audio graphic calculators, and related software.
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.
Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI)
15344 Green Way Place
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 274-2090
Toll-free: 1-800-322-4784
Fax: (530) 274-2093
Email: Info@IRTI.net
Web site: https://store.irti.net/
Among a wide variety of products, they distribute talking computers, electronic magnifiers (desktop, portable, and handheld), scanners, scan-and-read systems, screen-reading and screen magnification software, speech synthesizers, wireless braille keyboards, screen magnifiers, digital recorders, CCTVs, braille displays and notetakers, talking clocks and watches, DAISY book players, locator dots, and a variety of home and recreational products.
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: LSSInfo@LSSproducts.com
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.
Magnifiers.com
Products for the Visually Impaired
6595 Roswell Rd. NE #224
Atlanta, GA 30328
1-800-541-7903
Fax: (770) 926-7883
E-mail: wmons@magnifiers.com
Web site: http://www.magnifiers.com/
Magnifiers.com sells a wide variety of magnifiers, scanning and reading devices, the Clearview, Optelec, and MagniSight CCTV systems, telescopes, binoculars and monoculars, sports glasses, sunglasses, large print and talking products, magnifying mirrors, marking aids, special lighting, ZoomText Magnifier, and much more.
Magnifying Aids, Inc.
4760 East Bay Dr. Suite E
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 526-2020
Fax: (727) 531-7224
Toll-free: 1-866-691-2450
E-mail: Sales@MagnifyingAids.com
Web site: www.MagnifyingAids.com
Sells a wide variety of magnifiers (dome, handheld, hands-free, lighted, pocket, stand, video, etc.), CCTVs, reading glasses, monoculars, microscopes, magnifier accessories, digital recorders and players, sunglasses, reading machines, kitchen and household items, large print calendars and daybooks, large print books and games (including Bingo cards), talking color identifiers, and much more.
The Magnifying Center/Magnifying America
2129 SW Hwy. 484
Ocala, FL 34473
Toll-free: 1-800-364-1610
Fax: (352) 307-6614
E-mail: orders@magnifyingcenter.com
Web site: www.magnifyingcenter.com/
Sells a variety of handheld, pocket, stand and video magnifiers, computer magnifiers, large print timers, talking watches, iZoom software, letter-writing guides, reading glasses, bold writing pens, bold-line paper, scanning-and-reading appliances, sunglasses, large print Bibles and dictionaries, check-writing guides, talking scales, and much more.
Maxi-Aids, Inc.
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 752-0521
Toll-free: 1-800-522-6294
Fax: (631) 752-0689
TTY: (631) 752-0738
Email: sales@maxiaids.com
Web site: https://www.maxiaids.com/
Maxi-Aids carries a large assortment of items for those with low vision, including talking alarm clocks, liquid level indicators, light detectors, bold-line paper, braille tape measures, tactile geometry tools; braille calendars, games and toys, watches, and notetakers; a variety of canes; color identifiers; labelers and label systems; large print address books and calendars; and much more.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Low Vision Center
601 SW 8th Ave.
Miami, FL 33130
(786) 362-7479
Vision Solutions Center: (305) 856-9100
Fax: (305) 285-6967
E-mail: info@miamilighthouse.org
Web site: https://www.miamilighthouse.org/Adult_Services_Classes.asp#LowVisionServices
The Vision Solutions Center sells a wide variety of items to assist with specific tasks, such as bold line markers, hand-held magnifiers, closed-circuit television systems, read/write systems and miniature spotting scopes. Instructors are available to provide assistance with selection and guidance on how to use one’s vision to its fullest potential.
Personal Data Systems, Inc.
638 Sobrato Ln.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 866-1126
To send an e-mail, go to www.personaldatasystems.com/contact.html.
Web site: www.personaldatasystems.com/default.asp
Is able to repair DECtalk Express synthesizers; sells the Audapter Speech System.
RehabMart
1353 Athens Hwy.
Elberton, GA 30635
1-800-827-8283
Email: assistance@rehabmart.com
Web site: http://www.rehabmart.com/category/low_vision_aids.htm
Rehabmart.com is an online discount medical equipment and supply company that is owned and operated by occupational and physical therapists. We serve seniors, caregivers, special needs children and those who are disabled, including those who are struggling (and overcoming) visual impairments. Products include talking thermometers, low-vision thermostats, syringe magnifiers, large print keytop stickers, talking tape measure, needle threaders, Prodigy Voice glucose monitoring system, bar code scanners, and more.
Resources for Rehabilitation
22 Bonad Rd.
Winchester, MA 01890
(781) 368-9080
Fax: (781) 368-9096
E-mail: info@rfr.org
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. New: a chapter dedicated to the needs of those who are both deaf and blind. Also has other resource lists for older blind individuals, resources for people with disabilities and chronic conditions, men’s and women’s guides to coping with disabilities, and more.
Southwestern Eye Center
(480) 616-0467
https://www.sweye.com/blog/education/low-vision-devices-for-macular-degeneration/
Has blog article that reviews low-vision aids, such as handheld magnifiers and electronic glasses, that can help those with macular degeneration maintain eye health and optimize their vision.
Universal Vision Technology, LLC
200 E. Campus View Blvd.
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43235
Phone: (614) 224-0055
Fax: (614) 701-9908
Email: admin@uvisiontech.com or julien@uvisiontech.com
Website: www.uvisiontech.com
Sells a wide variety of video magnifiers; handheld, transportable, desktop and wearable. Also sells Duxbury braille translation software, ZoomText Fusion, ZoomText Magnifier, and ZoomText Magnifier/Reader software; Kurzweil 1000 software; Dragon software, Read and Write software, Talking Typing Teacher; digital recorders and players; Livescribe Echo SmartPens; braille displays; talking GPS units; large-number big-key keyboards; talking bar code scanners; scanning-and-reading appliances; and much more, for blindness, low vision, and other disabilities. Training services available. We are a factory-authorized dealer for products and software from the following manufacturers: Enhanced Vision, Eschenbach, Humanware, Optelec, textHelp, Vispero (ZoomText and Fusion).
Vision Forward
912 N. Hawley Avenue.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
(414) 615-0103
To send an email, go to https://vision-forward.org/contact-us/
Website: https://vision-forward.org
Sells a variety of handheld, foldable and desktop video magnifiers, electronic wearable devices and OCR/TTS devices. Also carry a wide variety of talking and large print products, large print check registers and calendars, talking calculators, large-print keyboards, braille and large-print games, large-print phone key stickers, large-number large-button phones, optical magnifiers, talking blood pressure and glucose monitors, canes and cane tips, and more.
Vispero
17757 US Highway 19 N, Suite 560
Clearwater, FL 33764
1-800-444-4443
Email: contact@vispero.com
Web site: https://vispero.com
Vispero is the world’s leading assistive technology provider for the visually impaired. The company develops and provides innovative solutions for blind and low vision individuals that help them reach their full potential. Its family of brands includes ABiSee, Ai Squared, Freedom Scientific, Enhanced Vision, GW Micro, Optelec, and The Paciello Group.
Waymaker Life LLC
9808 N. 100th East Ave.
Owasso, OK 74055
Phone (918) 732-9287
Email: kenwone@kenwonefulsom.com
Web site: www.waymakerlife.solutions
Waymaker Life provides low vision products for people who are visually impaired. Offers wearable devices that have adjustable zoom magnification, diopters (prescription), focal length control, pupil distance control, contrast, brightness, saturation, color, image control, wide dynamic ranges, image video formats, and more.
Updated 4/2/2020