Blindness and Disability Resources
The following links are provided as resources for information related to
blindness, visual impairment, or other physical disabilities that result
in an inability to read printed matter. Links on this page go to external web sites.
See also: Books and Other Materials in Alternative Formats
- Braille Plus, Inc.:
Braille Plus is a fee-based service that will convert print documents
to alternative formats, including braille, large print, audio
tape or electronic format.
- Braille Bug: The American Foundation for the Blind's kids' channel was created to teach sighted children about
braille and to encourage literacy among all children. Designed for children in grades three through six.
- The New York
State Commission for the Blind:
Part of the NYS Department of Family Services, CBVH provides
rehabilitation services to individuals who are legally blind
and reside in New York State.
- American Foundation
for the Blind (AFB): A national resource for
people who are blind or visually impaired, the AFB focuses on
nonmedical aspects of blindness and visual impairment, including
developing and disseminating information, identifying issues
that are critical to those who are blind or visually impaired,
and educating policy makers and the general public.
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind: A Canadian organization that helps blind, visually impaired, and deafblind Canadians survive and thrive in a sighted world.
- Lions Clubs International:
The Lions raise funds for charitable
giving with a major focus on sight conservation.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): This organization has two goals: to help blind people achieve self-confidence and self-respect, and to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression of people who are blind. NFB provides public education about blindness, information and referral services, scholarships, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances and other adaptive equipment for the blind, advocacy services and protection of civil rights, Job Opportunities for the Blind, development and evaluation of technology, and support for blind persons and their families.
- Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind : A source for blindness news and information, this newsletter is available as a weekly e-mail, a monthly audio edition, or via RSS feed.
- Guidedog Foundation for
the Blind: A not-for-profit organization that provides
guide dogs free of charge to blind people who seek enhanced mobility and independence.
- The Seeing Eye: Its mission is to help blind people achieve greater independence, dignity and self-confidence through the use of Seeing Eye dogs.
- Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR): Part of the NYS Education Department, ACCESS-VR (formerly VESID) oversees special education services for students in public and private schools, provides vocational rehabilitation services (e.g. vocational assessment, vocational counseling, and job training and placement), and administers 15 Early Childhood Direction Centers and 38 Independent Living Centers.
- NYS Justice Center - For the Protection of People with Special Needs: The Justice Center's vision is that "[p]eople with special needs shall be protected from abuse, neglect and mistreatment. This will be accomplished by assuring that the state maintains the nation's highest standards of health, safety and dignity; and by supporting the dedicated men and women who provide services."
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Home Page: The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, programs and services provided by state and local governments, goods and services provided by private companies, and in commercial facilities. This site is maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, which provides technical assistance and enforcement for ADA.
- Cornucopia of Disability
Information: Based at the University of Buffalo, this site serves as a community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. The site provides information on topics such as education, government documents, computer access, legal issues, aging, assistive technology, and universal design for local (Buffalo and western NY), state, national and international audiences.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: This site provides information on VA programs, veterans benefits, VA facilities worldwide, and VA medical automation software.
