Additional Resources
Advocacy and Support
- American Foundation for the Blind –National nonprofit that seeks to provide resources and advocacy among other services.
- AFB Senior Site –AFB’s page dedicated to solutions and resources for senior adults with vision loss.
- American Council of the Blind –A national organization offering advocacy and support among other services. Find state affiliates.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Blind Rehabilitation Services –Locate support and services for blind or visually impaired veterans.
- Disability.Gov –Connecting the Disability Community to Information & Opportunities. Links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations.
- Fix the Web –Web users can report accessibility problems found on websites, and volunteers will alert site owners.
- National Federation of the Blind –A national network of blind people offering advocacy and education among other things. Find state and local chapters/resources.
Daily Living Products
American Printing House for the Blind –“The world's largest provider of accessible educational and daily living products."
Independent Living Aids–(800) 537-2118.
LS&S Products –(800) 468-4789.
Quintex of Asheville –(NC dealer for Optelec.com) 828-299-9151.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children–(800) 777-8552.
Shop Low Vision –(800) 826-42400.
Deaf and Blind Addiction Resources
Treatment for Individuals with Disablities: Rehab Centers for the Deaf and Blind:
http://www.rehabcenter.net/rehab-for-deaf-and-blin...
http://www.rehabcenter.net/resources
Visual presentations regarding addiction and treatment: http://www.rehabcenter.net/infographics/
Expert Article section that provides white papers written by doctors and other mental health professionals: http://www.rehabcenter.net/experts/
Educational Resources
Affordable Colleges for the Visually Impaired
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired –Offering professional development opportunities for employees in the field of vision rehabilitation.
Consumer Frauds and Scams –Tips on how to protect yourself against consumer frauds and scams.
Emerald Education Systems –Online continuing education courses focusing on low vision rehabilitation.
The Hadley School for the Blind –Distance education courses for adults with vision loss.
Out of Sight Chat Site –Offers over forty different chat rooms with topics ranging from games, old time radio, adaptive cooking, book clubs, product demonstrations, to real time computer technical assistance.
Local Resources
- Braille Writer Repair –Antonio Garcia. (980) 322-8960. agt000@gmail.com.
- Charlotte Senior Centers–Providing services and activities for older adults.
- Disability Rights and Resources –(704) 537-0550. Providing advocacy, community integration, independent living skills, information and referral, and peer mentoring.
- NC Division of Services for the Blind –(704) 563-4168. Providing vocational rehabilitation services.
- NC Department of Social Services
- NC State Library for the Blind –Lending library for NC residents with vision loss. Formats include Braille, audio, digital audio, DVS, and more.
- Marion Diehl Center –(704) 432-0237 Recreation center that houses the Therapeutic Recreation department offering social and educational programing for children and adults with disabilities
- NC Lions Foundation –(828) 478-2135
- Special Transportation Services –(704) 336-2637
- Sunshine Club –A support and social meeting for adults with vision loss. Meets weekly at Bethlehem Center of Charlotte. (704) 371-7416
- United Way of the Central Carolinas –(704) 372-7170
- Understand Your Taxes –CPA Ken Schwartz (704) 819-2959. CPA@understandyourtaxes.com.
- Accessible Pedestrian Signals of the Charlotte Department of Transportation
News and Information
- Foundation Fighting Blindness –An organization dedicated to furthering research in the areas of eye disease.
- Lighthouse International –The “Help” page offering information on vision care, eye diseases and independence training.
- Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind –The source for blindness news and information since 1907
- National Eye Institute –A subcategory of the federal government’s National Institutes of Health; conducts and supports research related to vision
- National Institute of Health: Vision and Hearing Page –In depth information related to major eye and hearing diseases.
- Vision Aware –“The Self-Help Resource Center for Vision Loss”.
- Visually Impaired Information Center –Based out of Michigan; a listing of resources available to people with vision loss.
Recreation & Leisure
- American Blind Skiing Foundation –Non-profit based in Illinois providing skiing experiences for visually impaired children and adults.
- Blind Sailing International –Recreational and competitive sailing for persons who are blind or visually impaired. BSI has a bid to participate in the 2016 Olympics.
- Camp Dogwood –Headquarters for the NC Lions Incorporated and vacation resort for NC residents with vision loss. View an 8 minute video clip about Camp Dogwood: Camp Dogwood Video Clip (800) 662-7401.
- Challenge Aspen –Providing life-changing outdoor adventures for children and adults with cognitive or physical challenges.
- Cooking In The Dark –“Where you don’t need sight to cook dinner tonight!” A podcast of a cooking show recorded live for blind cooks with any level of experience. Listen to a two-minute promo here: Cooking In The Dark audio clip
- Courage Center Handiham System –Providing learning and licensure opportunities for people with disabilities interested in Amateur Radio.
- Disabled Sports USA –Non-profit seeking to provide opportunities for participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs. Find the chapter in your region.
- Handicapped Scuba Association –Providing dive experiences and vacation opportunities for adults with disability. Search for a certified trainer in your state.
- International Blind Sport Federation –Non-profit based in Spain, IBSA represents sports for the blind in the International Paralympic Committee. See USABA.
- Judo for Blind Athletes –Martial Arts training for the visually impaired.
- Media Access Group at WBGH –An organization dedicated to providing accessible media. Offers information on captioning and descriptive video for several media formats, as well as a full list of DVD titles with DVS.
- Music for the Blind –Audio courses for learning to play various instruments for beginners. Pay per course.
- National Beep Ball Association –The adaptive version of America’s favorite pastime. Find state teams. Email the Charlotte team, Carolina Warriors.
- National Camps for Blind Children and Adults –A project of Christian Record Services which offers camp opportunities free of charge across the U.S.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International –Service that seeks to change and enrich lives by promoting excellence in equine-assisted activities and therapies. For persons of all ages with disability or challenges.
- Skating Athletes Bold At Heart –Therapeutic ice-skating for persons with special needs. Based in New York.
- Ski for Light –Non-profit based in Minnesota providing cross-country skiing experiences for visually and mobility impaired adults.
- Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students –An annual camp for students grades 4-12 held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
