Services for Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired

Provides services to and acts as an information clearinghouse for people who are blind or visually impaired and their families, professionals, organizations, schools, and corporations. Mounts program initiatives to improve services to visually impaired persons, including the National Initiative on Literacy; advocates for services and legislation; maintains the M.C. Migel Library and Information Center and the Helen Keller Archives; provides information and referral services; operates the National Technology Center and the Career and Technology Information Bank; produces videos; and publishes books, pamphlets, the Directory of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Persons in the United States and Canada, the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, and Access World.

Produces materials in Braille and large print and on audiocassette; manufactures computer-access equipment, software, and special education devices for persons who are visually impaired; and maintains an educational research and development program and reference-catalog service. Provides educational materials and tools for young people and adults with visual impairments.

The mission of AER is to support professionals who provide education and rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments, offering professional development opportunities, publications, and public advocacy.

Provides family support services, parent support groups, advocacy training, and other services. Publishes numerous publications for families and professionals.

Provides home-based services that enable families, professionals, and the broader community to meet the unique needs of infants and preschool children who are blind or visually impaired, including early intervention, functional vision and developmental assessment, information, referral, and consultation. Also provides counseling information to medical professionals and others regarding individual children, referrals, and in-service training for professionals.

Acts as a professional organization for individuals serving children with disabilities and children who are gifted. Primary activities include advocating for appropriate government policies; setting professional standards; providing continuing professional development; and helping professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. Publishes numerous related materials, journals and newsletters.

The urgent mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Provides tuition-free home studies in academic subjects as well as vocational and technical areas, personal enrichment, parent-child issues, and compensatory rehabilitation education. Also offers courses for parents and family members of blind individuals.

Provides diagnostic evaluations, comprehensive vocational and personal adjustment training, and job preparation and placement for people from every state and territory who are deaf-blind through its national center and 10 regional offices. Provides technical assistance and training to those who work with deaf-blind people. Publishes Nat-Cent News.

Provides consultation and therapy for parents, siblings, and extended family members of children who are blind or visually impaired; refers parents and physicians to organizations specializing in meeting the needs of children with visual problems; writes and publishes journal articles, booklets, and newsletters; and produces videotapes. Publishes Parent to Parent.

Founded in New York City in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed vision and rehabilitation services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through clinical services, education, research, and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives.

As a national technical assistance center funded by the federal Department of Education, NCDB works to improve the quality of life for children who are deaf-blind and their families by creating visibility and direction for identified priorities through a range of practices, activities, supports and partnerships. Identifying and encouraging new innovations in local, state, and national practice and policy. Promoting opportunity for reflection, debate, and constructive dialogue around ideas and developing practice. Maintaining a rich repository of content, history, and knowledge, easily available and shared by all who are part of the community of deaf-blindness.

Provides a support network for families of children, youths, and adults who are deaf-blind. Encourages and supports parent leadership, interagency partnerships, training, advocacy, and representation in national and state projects serving individuals who are deaf-blind. Publishes NFADB Newsletter.

Strives to improve social and economic conditions of blind persons, evaluates and assists in establishing programs, and provides public education and scholarships. Affiliated groups include the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. Offers a parent support group as well chapters throughout the country that are open to any blind or visually impaired youths, adults and their family members. Publishes The Braille Monitor and Future Reflections.

So that all may read, through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of Braille and audio materials. These services are circulated to blind, low vision or physically handicapped borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.