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