University of Connecticut |
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Disability-Related Resources
Blind / Visually ImpairedCONNECTICUT
Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) BESB is responsible for the confidential registry of people who are blind in Connecticut and provides, within available resources, comprehensive low vision services, specialized education services, life skills training, case management, and vocational services to individuals of all ages who are legally blind and to children who are visually impaired. The agency assists them in acquiring the skills and support services necessary to be independent.
I was unable to find a website for this Association, only contact information as follows. Phone, 203-227-5243; mailing address: 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
Oak Hill helps people with disabilities experience rich, fulfilling lives in communities throughout Connecticut. Through education, assistive technology, programs and advocacy, we support them at every stage of life. We also provide a robust array of services to those people who work with, live with, and care for people challenged by disabilities. Oak Hill serves children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and phyiscal disabilities. Today it is the largest private nonprofit community provider of services for people with disabilities in Connecticut.
CRIS is Connecticut's talking newsstand for the blind and print-handicapped. CRIS is a private, non-profit organization that broadcasts, via FM radio sideband and cable TV, a program of extensive readings from newspapers and current magazines for people who, because of visual, physical, or learning disability, are unable to read the printed page for information and enjoyment. Disability Resources is a nonprofit organization estaglished to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities life, learn, love, work, and play independently. They serve thousands of individuals with disabilities through a multidisciplinary network of service providers and consumers. In order to reach as many people with disabilities as cost effectively as possible, they target their services and publications to libraries, disability organizations, independent living centers, rehabilitation facilities, educational institutions, and health and social service providers. Visit their site for Connecticut resources via the above link or visit their home page at www.disabilityresources.org.
The Library is a network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The Library provides free mail loan of recorded and Braille books and magazines and necessary playback equipment to eligible state residents unable to read conventional print because of a visual or physical disability. Fidelco is dedicated to promoting increased independence to men and women who are blind by providing them with the highest quality German shepherd guide dogs. The only guide dog school in New England, Fidelco has clients throughout North America.
The NFBC is a state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and works to improve the lives of blind people in Connecticut. By providing information and education to its members and the public, the NFBC is changing what it means to be blind.
The NEAT Center at Oak Hill enriches lives by enhancing independence and quality of life for people with disabilities including visual impairments. It sets the standard in providing innovative solutions, program excellence, services and advocacy for people with disabilities. The NEAT Center at Oak Hill is a place to learn about products, equipment, and services that assist people with day-to-day activities that they have trouble doing themselves, either because of a disability or the effects of aging. It is also a place to donate or buy durable medical equipment.
Founded in 1962, the American Council of the Blind is the nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people. The Council strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired peole by: serving as a representative national organization of blind people; elevating the social, economic, and cultural levels of blind people; improving educational and rehabilitation facilities and opportunities; cooperating with the public and private institutions and organizations concerned with blind services; encouraging and assisting in all blind persons to develop their abilities and conducting a public education program to promote greater understanding of blindness and the capabilities of blind people.
The American Foundation for the Blind is a national nonprofit organization that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; evaluating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.
In service since 1858, the APH's msision is to promote the independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materails, products, and services needed for education and life. APH is also the world's largest company devoted solely to creating products and services for poeple who are visually impaired.
ASB is located in historic Center City, Philadelphia, PA. Their many divisions serve the local Philadelphia and Delaware Valley areas and beyond. Their goal is to help the blind and visually impaired regain their independence, self-esteem, and confidence so that they may lead active, productive, and healthy lives.
The AER is the only international membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible suppoert and assistance to the professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired children and adults. Their membership is comprised of more than 5,000 professionals who provide services to people with visual impairments.
The Blindness Resource Center is maintained by The New York Institute for Special Education (NYISE). NYISE is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian educational facility which provides quality programs for children who are blind or visually disabled, emotionally and learning disabled and preschoolers who are developmentally delayed. Be sure to visit their page for Vendors Specializing in Technology for the Blind.
This site contains instructions on how to join over 200 blindness-related emailing lists and blindness-related newsgroups, along with hypertext links which allow you to subscribe to any of the lists. It also contains an extensive listing of accessibility and pan-disability lists as well as a list of emailing lists that are not blindness-related but which are frequented by blind members, and a selective list of emailing list-related resources. The Hadley School for the Blind is the largest worldwide distance educator of blind and visually impaired people, their families, and blindness service professionals. Founded in 1920, Hadley offers classes free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families and affordable tuition classes to blindness professionals. The Low Vision Gateway to the Internet is your starting point to the world's resources for vision loss, vision impairment, blindness, low vision aids, and low vision rehabilitation services.
NAPVI is a non-profit organization of, by, and for parents committed to providing support to the parents of children who have visual impairments. They are a national organization that enables parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. NAPVI provides leadership, support, and training to assist parents in helping children reach their potential. National Braille Press is a nonprofit Braille printer and publisher offering Braille books, magazines, textbooks, tests, and embossing services. The NEI was establshed by Congress in 1968 to protect and prolong th evision of the American people. As one of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health, the NEI conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision. This research leads to sight-saving treatments, reduces visual impairment and blindness, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages.
With more than 50,000 members, the NFB is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. In 2004, the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the Unitd States for the blind led by the blind. The NFB has a Resources for Learning Section where you can access the NFB-NEWSLINE, a free service to those who cannot read regular newsprint. NFB-NEWSLINE is now making it possible for blind individuals to gain access to the information in newspapers at the same time as their sighted colleagues, friends, and family members. This service brings the wealth of information primarily found in newspapers to blind people through the telephone, making access easy.
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of Braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail. Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year.
Provides educational and professional books in accessible media format to people with print disabilities. RFB&D has an extensive free library of books on audiocassette covering a wide range of subjects and academic levels. Services are available to persons with a verified visual, physical, or specific learning disability that substantially limits reading.
The USABA's enhances the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity.
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