Blind / Visually Impaired

Self Help Clearinghouse

Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.

National. Founded 1978. Support for persons suffering from macular diseases and their families. Distributes information on vision equipment. supports national eye bank donor projects devoted solely to macular disease research. Quarterly newsletter, phone support network, participates in seminars and group development guidelines. Dues $20/year.
Write:
Association for Macular Diseases
210 E. 64th St.
New York, NY 10021
Voice: 212-605-3719
Fax: 212-605-3795
Website: http://www.macula.org
Verified: 1/28/2011

American Council of the Blind

National. 70 affiliates. Founded 1961. Aims to improve the well-being of all blind or visually impaired people and their families through education, support and advocacy. National conference, information and referrals, phone support, state and special interest affiliates e.g. guide dog users, blind lawyers, teachers and students. Magazine published ten times per year (available in Braille, half speed cassette, large print, CD-ROM, online or via e-mail). College scholarships. Online job bank. Chapter development guidelines.
Write:
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
Voice: 1-800-424-8666
Fax: 703-465-5085
Website: http://www.acb.org
E-mail: info@acb.org
Verified: 3/28/2011

Massachusetts Assoc. for the Blind and Visually Impaired

National. 34 groups. Founded 1903. Support network for persons coping with sight loss. Sponsors support groups for elders and mixed ages. Outreach services and community volunteers.
Write:
MAB Community Services
200 Ivy St.
Brookline, MA 02446
Voice: 617-926-42321 or 1-800-852-3029 (MA only) (Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm EST)
Fax: 617-738-1247
Website: http://www.mabcommunity.org
E-mail: fweisse@mabcommunity.org
Verified: 3/28/2011

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc.

National. Founded 1971. Offers information and referral services for affected individuals and their families, as well as doctors and eye care professionals. Provides comprehensive information kits on retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration and Usher syndrome. Newsletter presents articles on coping, research updates and Foundation news. Membership $25/yr. Supports research into the causes, treatments, preventive methods and cures for the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Newsletter 'InFocus' published 3 times/yr. E-newsletter 'InSight' published 5 times/yr. National conference held every year.
Write:
Foundation Fighting Blindness
7168 Columbia Gateway Dr., Ste 100
Columbia, MD 21046
Voice: 1-800-683-5555 (Mon.-Fri., 9am-4pm EST)
TDD: 1-800-683-5551 (TDD)
Website: http://www.fightblindness.org
E-mail: info@fightblindness.org
Verified: 1/21/2011

Blinded Veterans Association

National. 53 regional groups. Founded 1945. Support, information and outreach to blinded veterans including those who were blinded in combat and those suffering from age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Help in obtaining prosthetic devices and accessing the latest technological advances to assist the blind. Information on benefits and rehabilitation programs. Quarterly newsletter. Regional meetings.
Write:
Blinded Veterans Association
477 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Voice: 1-800-669-7079 or 202-371-8880
Fax: 202-371-8258
Website: http://www.bva.org
E-mail: bva@bva.org
Verified: 1/26/2011

National Federation of the Blind

National. 52 affiliates. Founded 1940. Serves as both an advocacy and a public information vehicle. Contacts newly blind persons to help with adjustment. Provides information on services and applicable laws. Student scholarships. Assists blind persons who are victims of discrimination. Literature, monthly meetings and magazine. Assistance in starting new groups.
Write:
National Federation of Blind
200 E. Wells St.
Baltimore, MD 21230-4998
Voice: 410-659-9314
Fax: 410-685-5653
Website: http://www.nfb.org
E-mail: nfb@nfb.org
Verified: 3/28/2011

Council of Citizens with Low Vision International

International. Founded 1979. Encourages low vision people to make full use of vision through use of equipment, technology and services. Education, advocacy, quarterly magazine, group development guidelines, scholarships, conferences, information and referrals.
Write:
CCLVI
2200 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
Voice: 1-800-733-2258 (Mon.-Fri, 9am-4pm EST)
Website: http://www.cclvi.org
E-mail: webmaster@cclvi.org
Verified: 1/26/2011

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

National. 25 chapters. Founded 1983. Serves as both an advocacy and public information vehicle. Provides information on services available. Offers positive philosophy and insights into blindness and practical guidance in raising a blind child. 'Future Reflections' magazine, parent seminars, free parents' information packet, meetings and conventions. Dues $8.
Write:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Well St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
Voice: 410-659-9314 ext. 2360
Fax: 410-685-5653
Website: http://www.nopbc.org
E-mail: parentoutreach@nfb.org
Verified: 4/1/2011

Lighthouse International

Resource. Mission is to overcome vision impairment for people of all ages through rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy. Free literature on eye diseases (macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes and more) and various resource lists (reading options, adaptive computer technology, financial aid, etc.) Provides contact information for support groups, low vision services, rehabilitation agencies, state agencies and advocacy groups.
Write:
Lighthouse International
111 E. 59th St.
New York, NY 10022
Voice: 1-800-829-0500 or 212-821-9200 (Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm EST)
Fax: 212-821-9707
TDD: 212-821-9713
Website: http://www.lighthouse.org
E-mail: info@lighthouse.org
Verified: 1/13/2011

Leber's Congenital Amaurosis eGroup

Online. 750 members. Founded 1999. Provides a listserv for persons who are interested in sharing, support and information relating to the genetic disorder.
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lca
Verified: 3/28/2011

National Keratoconus Foundation

National network. Founded 1986. Provides information and support to persons with keratoconus, an eye condition where the cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge. Newsletter, phone support, information and referrals. Online support group. Encourages research into cause and treatment.
Write:
National Keratoconus Foundation
6222 Wilkshire Blvd., Suite 260
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Voice: 1-800-521-2524
Fax: 310-623-1837
Website: http://www.nkcf.org
E-mail: info@nkcf.org
Verified: 1/28/2011

Aniridia Foundation International

International. Founded 2002. Offers support, data studies, research and education to the public, medical community and members with aniridia (absence of iris). Provides information, referrals, literature, newsletter, phone support, pen pals and conferences. Online e-mail support and chatrooms. Also supports those with low vision or blindness who experience the same associated conditions such as glaucoma, corneal disease and cataracts. OPTIC program helps those with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, chemical and thermal burns to the eyes and other corneal dystrophy patients.
Write:
Aniridia Foundation International
c/o Univ. of Virginia, School of Medicine
P.O. Box 800717
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0715
Voice: 901-409-1600
Website: http://www.aniridia.net
E-mail: info@aniridia.net
Verified: 1/14/2011

Duane's Retraction Syndrome

Online. 1150 members. Founded 1999. A place for those affected by Duane's retraction syndrome (an eye mobility disorder) to share experiences and information with others.
Website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/duanes
Verified: 3/30/2011

EyesApart

Online. 581 members. Founded 2006. Support forum for adults, teens and parents of children with strabismus (also known as: squint, crossed eyes, lazy eye, wall eyes, double vision, turned, floating, wandering, wayward, drifting eyes) to discuss knowledge, experiences, problems and ideas related to strabismus.
Website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/eyesapart
E-mail: EyesApart-owner@yahoo.com
Verified: 1/7/2011

Jewish Guild for the Blind, The

National. Founded 1914. Support for persons of all ages who are visually impaired, blind and those with additional disabilities. Telephone support network brings together parents from around the country whose children have the same condition (retinopathy of prematurity, retinitis pigmentosa, cortical visual impairment, Leber's congenital amaurosis and Stargardt disease) to speak with parents in the same situation. Newsletter, literature and how-to materials for starting a support group available on the website or in hard copy.
Write:
The Jewish Guild for the Blind
15 West 65th Street
New York, NY 10023
Voice: 1-800-284-4422 or 212-769-6200
Website: http://www.jgb.org
E-mail: info@jgb.org
Verified: 1/14/2011

VitreousFloaters

Online. 2703 members. Founded 2000. Support for those with eye floaters or vitreous detachment. Opportunity to share experiences, ideas for treatment and strategies for living with floaters.
Website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/vitreousfloaters
E-mail: vitreousfloaters-owner@yahoogroups.org
Verified: 1/7/2011

MD Support: The Eyes of the Macular Degeneration Community

International. Founded 1995. Provides information and support for people who are affected by macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases. Large informational website, monthly webcasts, email discussion group, message board, telephone and live support groups, telephone help line.
Write:
MD Support
3600 Blue Ridge Blvd.
Grandview, MO 64030
Voice: 816-731-7080
Website: http://www.mdsupport.org
E-mail: irector@mdsupport.org
Verified: 3/28/2011

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.