Helpful Links

Our parents and staff are always looking for new resources and information. These organizations and groups have been quite useful.

National Organizations

American Council of the Blind
Consumer organization providing information and referral on all aspects of blindness, public education and awareness training.

American Foundation for the Blind
Organization providing consultation, education, and technical assistance to national, state, and local agencies and governments on all aspects of blindness. Current initiatives focus on such areas as aging, employment, literacy, and technology. AFB Press publishes a wide variety of professional, reference, and consumer videos as well as textbooks and journals.

American Printing House for the Blind
APH is the official supplier of educational materials for visually impaired students below college level in the U.S. and its territories. The Advisory Services Division is available to provide informational, consultative, and administrative services in support of the Federal Quota System. Personnel are available to conduct training sessions, presentations, and workshops. APH produces materials on demand in Braille, cassette tape, and large print.

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Professional membership organization whose mission is to develop and promote professional excellence through support of those who provide services to people with visual impairment. State, regional, and national chapters coordinate seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Council for Exceptional Children
National professional organization whose mission is to improve educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities.

Council of Schools for the Blind
Organization of schools for blind and visually impaired children in the United States and Canada. COSB serves as an information clearinghouse and advocate for areas of interest relating to specialized residential schools for the blind and visually impaired children.

Hadley School for the Blind
National organization that provides legally blind or blind persons with academic, personal enrichment, and compensatory education and technical education through free home study courses, including Braille reading and writing. Offers a program for professional and paraprofessionals in the blindness field.

Mississippi State University: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
Federally funded research and training center based at Mississippi State University. The Center conducts research, disseminates information including research monographs, and provides education and training.

National Federation of the Blind
National consumer organization provides a comprehensive range of consultation, technical assistance, and education. Publications include the Braille Monitor, Future Reflections (for parents of blind children), and Voice of the Diabetic. NFB has affiliates in all states.

National Industries for the Blind
The NIB mission to enhance opportunities for employment and independence for persons who are blind is implemented through the 85 associated agencies employing over 500 people. NIB works closely with the member agencies to secure and administer contracts.

Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
Recordings for the Blind maintains a lending educational library with over 80,000 taped textbooks, reference and professional materials. These materials are available to individuals who cannot effectively read standard print. Please contact Recordings for the Blind for information on registering and any fees.

United States Association for Blind Athletes
USABA offers training camps and competitions through the national office and representatives in each state. Established in 1976, the mission is to provide sports and recreation opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

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New York Organizations and Resources

Baruch College Computer Center for Visually Impaired People
The Computer Center based at Baruch College of the City University of New York provides computer training, technical assistance, and education for people with severe visual impairment.

Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service
Telephone 718-875-0710
Services for people who are visually impaired as well as people with other disabilities include counseling, social work, self-help, employment, health, and rehabilitation.

Catholic Charities: Office for Disabled Persons
Telephone 718-722-6000

Catholic Charities Service for Visually Impaired Persons
Telephone 631-789-5213
Services for visually impaired person living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island include counseling, social work, information and referral, outreach, recreation, and rehabilitation. Training is provided in the client’s home and community.

Catholic Guild for the Blind
212-371-1000
Established in 1953, the Catholic Guild provides low vision, health, and rehabilitation services. The Guild services focus on coping with the problems of everyday living with vision impairment and growing towards independence.

Dominican College
The graduate education Program for Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired (telephone 845-359-3577) offers a Master of Science degree. Students attend on a full-time and part-time basis with classes both on-campus and through distance learning. Please contact the college for admission requirements and applications. The college is located in Rockland County, New York.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind
HKSB operates offices and provides comprehensive rehabilitation services (including low vision) in Brooklyn and on Long Island in Hempstead and Huntington. The agency operates day centers for legally blind seniors in these locations. In addition, HKSB operates a day treatment center for developmentally disabled visually impaired adults in Hempstead and a summer camp for blind children on Long Island. The Braille library produces and distributes materials in Braille and large print for students on Long Island and in New York City. The children’s preschool and parent center are located in downtown Brooklyn.

Hunter College of the City University of New York
Hunter College offers a graduate program for teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired and teachers of students who have severe/multiple impairments; rehabilitation teachers; and orientation and mobility instructors. Please telephone 212-772-4740 for information on admissions, class schedules, grants, and applications.

Jewish Guild for the Blind
JGB is a comprehensive rehabilitation and education agency based in New York City with affiliated Guildcare (for medically fragile seniors) programs based in other agencies throughout New York State and in New England. The Guild School, Preschool, and Early Intervention programs are based in the 15 West 65th Street location. The Jewish Guild operates the Home for the Aged Blind in Yonkers and Joslow House/Residence for developmentally disabled/visually-impaired adults in New York City. Please visit the web site for more detailed information.

Lighthouse International
LHI provides a wide range of education, rehabilitation, research, and advocacy services. Vision rehabilitation services are available in the New York City Metropolitan area including Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. Services are provided on-site as well as in client’s homes and communities. LHI operates early intervention and preschool programs for children. Low vision services are available in several locations. The Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute conducts vision research. The Lighthouse Center for Education provides continuing education programs for professionals both nationally and internationally. Products for independent living can be found in the Lighthouse Consumer Catalog. Please visit the web site for more detailed information.

New York City Industries for the Blind
NYCIB is an affiliate of National Industries for the Blind. NYCIB, located in Brooklyn, provides employment and vocational training opportunities for legally blind men and women. Training is provided in manufacturing, office, and service positions.

New York City Public Schools, District 75: Educational Vision Services
(Telephone 917-256-4259)
Education Vision Services, provided in the New York City Public Schools, are designed for students who, because of vision impairment, learn with the use of assistive materials and adaptive approaches. Assessments, computer training, literacy services, counseling, after-school work programs, parent assistance, and professional training are available.

New York Institute for Special Education
Founded in 1831, the New York Institute provides quality education, training, rehabilitation, and other related services in a multi-school facility for children, ages birth to 21 years of age. Handicapping conditions include blindness or visual impairment, emotional disturbance or learning disabilities. The school offers both day and residential programs for visually impaired students ages 5-21. Please visit the school’s web page for more comprehensive information.

New York Public Library: Andrew Heiskell Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The library provides talking books, talking book machines, large-print books, audiocassettes, and Braille books for blind and physically handicapped persons. The library serves individuals in the New York City and on Long Island.

New York State Education Department: Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Telephone for VESID in Albany is 800-222-JOBS or 518-474-2714.
VESID promotes educational equity and excellence for students in New York State with disabilities, assures continuity between the child and adult services systems, and provides vocational rehabilitation and independent living services. VESID administers throughout New York State early intervention, special education (both private and public schools), employment, rehabilitation, and independent living centers. Publications are listed on the web site.

New York State Office of Children and Family Services: Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped
Telephone for New York City Office 212-825-5710
Telephone for Long Island Office 516-564-4311
Telephone for White Plains Office 914-993-5371
CBVH enhances employability, maximizes independence, and assists in the development of capacities and strengths of person who are legally blind in New York State. In addition to vocational rehabilitation counselors, children’s consultants and transition specialists are based in each office. These consultants and specialists work closely with children and their families to provide supplemental services (including specialized summer programs and community work experiences), transition planning, short-term rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility. Please call the local office to get more specific information on services.

New York State School for the Blind
NYSSB provides a learning environment that puts achievement and independence within the reach of each student. Students are legally blind with additional disabilities, school age, and New York residents. The school operates day programs and 5-day residential programs. NYSSB also operates a year-round 7-day residential per week program for students with intensive needs. NYSSB offers a comprehensive special education program for students on-campus as well as outreach programs for students from public schools and one-day specialized workshops. NYSSB provides materials in alternate formats to school districts through the New York State Resource Center located on the school campus. Please visit the web page for more information.

New York State Talking Book and Braille Library
The Library provides recorded and Braille books and playback equipment to all eligible upstate New Yorkers who are physically and visually handicapped.

State University of New York: College of Optometry, Low Vision Service
SUNY College of Optometry conducts complete optometric and ophthalmologic evaluations, low vision assessments, head trauma assessments, visual assessments for infants, and special needs assessments. Optical devices and low vision devices are for sale on site. The College of Optometry conducts clinical research and provides professional training.

VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
VISIONS provides a comprehensive range of vision rehabilitation services for people who are blind and visually impaired of all ages living in the New York City metropolitan area. Rehabilitation training in daily living skills and mobility are provided in the home. Specialized transition work programs after school and in the summer are offered for teenagers. VISIONS provides group programs and social services in 42 neighborhood senior center to promote integration of elders who are visually impaired. VISION operates the Vacation Camp for the Blind in Rockland County. This camp offers summer sessions and special winter weekends
with a full range of recreation and social activities. VISION also operates rehabilitation, social services, training, and recreation programs at Selis Manor on 23rd Street in New York City. Please contact the web site for more detailed information.

Xavier Society for the Blind
Telephone 212-473-7800
Founded in 1900, the Xavier Society maintains a free lending library of Braille, large-type, and books on tape of exclusively religious nature. The Society provides a variety of devotional materials in accessible forms. Please telephone for additional information.

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