The following resources may benefit your agency or the individuals you serve. Please make use of the information, pamphlets, and contacts, and let us know if you would like to add to the list.
Online Resources
Commonly Used Terminology
A brief overview of commonly used acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon commonly used in the field of blindness and low vision.
Courtesy Rules for Assisting a Person Who is Visually Impaired or Blind
Basic information for working with a person who is visually impaired or blind.
General Information and Resources on Aging and Vision Loss from the NRTC
National organizations which deal with issues on aging and vision loss, as well as online resources.
Information on Specific Eye Diseases
Numerous links are provided for specific eye diseases ranging from Achromatopsia to Stargardts. Information regarding syndromes and refractive laser surgery is also available.
AccessWorld Magazine
A publication of the American Foundation for the Blind to keep individuals with vision loss and others up-to-date about available technologies.
American Council of the Blind
Information, referral, aids, and devices for older individuals who are blind or visually impaired (OIB) to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life.
American Foundation for the Blind
National nonprofit organization committed to creating a more equitable world for individuals who are blind or visually impaired
Assistive Technology Low Interest Financing Programs
List of low interest financing/loan programs available in each state for assistive technology that may not be covered by insurance, vocational rehabilitation, etc.
Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired
Professional association for service providers of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Blind Veterans Association
A not-for-profit corporation established to promote the welfare of all veterans who have become blind, either during or after active duty.
Deaf Seniors of America
An organization committed to enriching the lives of Deaf senior citizens.
EyeCare America
A public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that offers medical eye exams, often at no cost to the consumer.
Fall Prevention (VisionAware)
Fall prevention strategies and resources provided by VisionAware.
Getting Started Kits (AFB)
Tip sheets provided by VisionAware about resources, specialized services, and products available to help cope and assist with everyday life with vision loss.
Healthy Aging Month
Each September, the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) promotes awareness about eye health among older adults and how they can protect their vision.
Healthy Eyes Education Series (Prevent Blindness America)
Educational resources, provided by Prevent Blindness America, to help health educators better serve patients, customers, and constituents.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults
An institute that creates personalized distance learning opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including free courses for students and their families, and professionals.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults
Headquartered in Sands Point, NY, with 10 regional offices throughout the U.S., HKNC provides training and resources exclusively to individuals age 16 and over who have combined vision and hearing loss.
How to Use the International Classification of Functioning: A Practical Manual
International Classification of Functioning (World Health Organization)
Lessons for Living with Vision Loss
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
National Association of Elder law Attorneys
National Council on Aging
National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)
National Eye Health Education Program – Vision and Aging
National Eye Institute
National Falls Prevention Awareness Day
National Federation of the Blind
National Institute on Aging
Prevent Blindness America
Religious Materials in Accessible Formats
Examples of, and links to, religious materials in accessible formats.
Report: Exercise Program for a Visually Impaired Senior Population
Results: Exercise Program for a Visually Impaired Senior Population
Tips for Working with Seniors with Vision Loss
Vision 2020
A global initiative, launched in 1999 by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, that aims to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 through the provision of guidance and technical and resource support to countries that have formally adopted its agenda.
VisionAware
Provides information and resources to seniors with vision loss in promotion of independent living. (by American Printing House and Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation)
VisionAware for Seniors
Access information and resources to help seniors and their families understand and live independently with vision loss.
VisionServe Alliance
A consortium of non-profit leaders in the U.S. that provide unique and specialized services to older individuals who are blind or have severe vision loss.
Books
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Making Life More Livable: Simple Adaptations for Living at Home after Vision Loss. Duffy, M. (2015).
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O&M for Independent Living: Strategies for Teaching Orientation and Mobility to Older Adults. Griffin-Shirley, N & Bozman, L. (2016).
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Pathway to Independence: A guide for people with vision loss. Kersh, Rita (2015).
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Reclaiming Independence: Staying in the Driver's Seat When You No Longer Drive. APH (2005).
Publications
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Berry, P., Mascia, J., & Steinman, B. A. (2004). Vision and hearing loss in older adults: Double trouble. Journal of Long-Term Home Health Care, 5, 35-40.
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Binns, A., Bunce, C., Dickinson, C., Harper, R., Tudor-Edwards, R., Woodhouse, M., et al. (2012). How effective is low vision service provision? A systematic review. Survey of Ophthalmology, 57(1), 34-65.
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Capella-McDonnall, M. E. (2005). The effects of single and dual sensory loss on symptoms of depression in the elderly. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20, 855-861.
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Cavenaugh, B. S., & Rogers, P. (2002). Employment patterns of older workers with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 96(9), 655-658.
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Crudden, A. (1995). Service delivery to older persons who are blind: The Mississippi model. RE:view, 3, 123-129.
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Farrow, K., & Steverson, A. (2016). A summary of services provided by Chapter 2 Programs: A review of Older Individuals who are Blind performance report data from years 2008-2013. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 110(6), 461-467.
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Giesen, J. M., & Cavenaugh, B. S. (2006). Evaluation in the Older Blind Independent Living Program: Advantages of a structural equation modeling approach. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 100(8), 482-487.
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Farrow, K., Holden, C., Lecher, E., & Larges, L. (2018). Increasing access to vision rehabilitation services for seniors through collaboration with occupational therapists. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 112(3), 301-306.
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LeJeune, B. J. (2010). Aging with dual sensory loss: Thoughts from consumer focus groups. AER Journal: Research and Practice in Visual Impairment and Blindness, 3(4), 146-152
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LeJeune, B. J. (2011). In their own words: Aging with hearing and vision loss. AER Report, 27(4), 15-16, 20.
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LeJeune, B. J., Steinman, B. A., & Mascia, J. (2003). Enhancing socialization of older persons experiencing loss of both vision and hearing. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 27, 95-97.
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McDonnall, M. C. (2009). Risk factors for depression among older adults with dual sensory loss. Aging and Mental Health, 13(4), 569-576.
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McDonnall, M. C. (2009). The effects of developing a dual sensory loss on depression in older adults: A longitudinal study. Journal of Aging and Health, 21(8), 1179-1199.
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McDonnall, M. C., & LeJeune, B. J. (2008). Employment among older adults with combined hearing and vision loss. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 39(3), 3-9.
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McDonnall, M. C., Crudden, A., LeJeune, B. J., Steverson, A., & O'Donnell, N. (2016). Needs and challenges of seniors with combined hearing and vision loss. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 110(6), 399-411.
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Moore, J. E. (2003). Using program evaluation to improve service delivery for older individuals who are blind. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 97, 42-45.
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Moore, J. E., Giesen, J. M., Weber, J. M., & Crews, J. E. (2001). Functional outcomes reported by consumers of the independent living program for older individuals who are blind. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 95, 403-417.
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Moore, J. E., Steinman, B. A., Giesen, J. M., & Frank, J. J. (2006). Functional outcomes and consumer satisfaction in the Older Blind Independent Living Program. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 100(5), 285-294.
