Welcome to Time to Be Bold: Finding Services for Vision Loss

You have completed the first bold step by visiting this website. Now we encourage you to take the next bold step by finding and connecting with a local program that can help you find your bold bright future.

If you have difficulty locating services in your area or are not currently eligible for services listed here, please visit the Connect Center or Vision Serve Alliance to learn about additional similar services, not currently funded through  federal older blind funds.

• Connect Center Website
• Vision Serve Alliance Website

If you would like to share our video, please find the instructions here.

Services often include training to help individuals with vision impairments to do the following:

• Maximize the use of limited vision
• Learn to use devices such as magnifiers or other technology that help with reading printed materials
• Use computers and smartphones using accessibility features or assistive software
• Learn techniques to stay safe and organized in the home
• Travel safely and confidently in the community
• Connect with others experiencing vision loss
• Learn about other programs specific to vision loss

Find information on resources and national services that are available. If you have any difficulty using this site or would prefer to talk to someone in person, call the American Printing House Connect Center toll-free helpline at 1-800-232-5463.

Who is eligible for services?

Services are available to individuals who are 55 and older. Requirements vary by state and might include a medical eye report verifying conditions and the status of employment. We encourage all to seek out services.

Because we are the Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC), the links on this page are specific to individuals who are age 55 or older. In addition to the links found on this page, we encourage individuals with vision loss to inquire about potential services when they visit the eye doctor, including veterans affairs (VA) services.

Resources

Each state and territory receives funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide independent living services to individuals age 55 and older with vision loss. These same programs provide services for individuals who are younger and/or would like to maintain or return to work. When contacting the below services be sure to indicate if you would like to work as this will determine which program you are referred to.

Our new Lessons for Living series gives helpful tips on navigating our world with blindness and low vision.

What are the costs of services?

While most services are provided free of charges, some do require a small cost. For example, when eye doctors provide services, charges will be submitted to medical insurance.

Who pays for adaptive devices? (adaptive services: services that provide reasonable accomodations)

While some states may assist or pay for adaptive devices, this is not guaranteed. If a device is not covered, you can search for other options to cover the cost of adaptive devices.

If the cost of devices are not covered, individuals might inquire as to other options for covering the cost of adaptive devices.

Other national services

Available to help you connect with local resources, learn adaptive skills, connect with others facing vision loss, and help you remain independent, despite your vision loss.

1. Hadley offers practical help, connection, and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. Providing online, large print, braille, and audio media, Hadley serves nearly 150,000 individuals each year, reaching all 50 states and 100 countries.
2. Well Connected, Covia is a community made up of participants, staff, facilitators, presenters, and other volunteers who care about each other and who value being connected. All groups are accessible by phone from wherever you are at no cost to you.
3. Veterans Affairs (VA) services can connect veterans with vision rehabilitation services through a Vision Impairment Services Team (VIST) coordinator. Services can be provided in your home, at a 10-day in patient program, or through the 6-week inpatient program. For participants of services, all assistive devices are provided free of charge. (va.gov)

National Consumer Groups

1. National Federation of the Blind (nfb.org) coordinates many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provides information and support to blind children and adults, and builds a community that creates a future full of opportunities.
2. American Council of the Blind (acb.org) strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.
3. National Organization on Albinism and Hypopigmentation(albinism.org) acts as a conduit for accurate and authoritative information about all aspects of living with albinism and to provide a place where people with albinism and their families in the U.S. and Canada can find acceptance, support, and fellowship.
4. Blinded Veterans Association: aims to preserve and strengthen a spirit of fellowship among blinded veterans so that they may give mutual aid and assistance to one another. 

Information and Referral

1. Vision Serve Alliance: nonprofits throughout the United States that provide unique and specialized services to people who are blind or with severe vision loss.
2. American Printing House (APH) Connect Center: Reliable, free information for all ages on virtually every aspect of vision loss. Free APH Connect Center helpline:
   • 1-800-232-5463 or email connectcenter@aph.org.

Service by State or Territory

ALABAMA

OASIS Fact Sheet

OASIS Program Coordinator
Matthew Haynes
P.O. Box 19888
236 Goodwin Crest Drive,
Homewood, AL  35209
Tel. 205-290-4400
1-800-671-6837
FAX 205-290-1029
Matthew.haynes@rehab.alabama.gov

ALASKA

Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
OIB Grantees:

AMERICAN SAMOA

ARIZONA

602-266-9286

ARKANSAS

https://arcareereducation.org/services/division-of-services-for-the-blin...All referrals are welcome to use 501-682-5463 or 1-800-960-9270 to reach our receptionist as that number is manned 8-4:30 every day. 

CALIFORNIA

COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

COLORADO

CONNECTICUT

Call 860-602-4160
or
Email Lisa.tanguay@ct.gov

DELAWARE

Main phone: 302-255-9800

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Please note our agency has a centralized intake/outreach department. Since multiple programs receive a referral through the below contact phone numbers and website, individuals should request to be directed to our IL Specialist within the Sensory Unit for the older blind program.

RSA Online Intake Application:
RSA Intake Form
Referrals can also be placed by calling 202-442-8485 or 202-202-442-8579 (En Espanol).

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

Georgia Project Independence Flyer 

State Website

website: www.gvs.ga.gov

GUAM

Phone
671-475-4200
FAX
671-475-4661
TTY
671-477-8642

HAWAII

State of Hawaii: Hoopono Services for the Blind / OIB Program
Phone number to make referrals: (808) 586-5269
Hoopono Website: http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/vr/hoopono/about/
Services provided statewide

IDAHO

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/rehabilitation-employment/blind-and-visuall...

IOWA

KANSAS

KENTUCKY 

LOUISIANA

For general information contact Kevin Monk at 225-219-2943 or at kmonk@lwc.la.gov

MAINE

MARYLAND

"Changing Maryland for the Better"

MASSACHUSETTS

www.mass.gov/mcb

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

Statewide toll free number: 800-592-6004
If you call this number, you are given further instructions to find the office you need.
https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/rsb/

MONTANA

NEBRASKA 

NEVADA

Sally Davis, Rehabilitation Technician II
DETR
Bureau of Services to the Blind & Visually Impaired
3016 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 200
Las Vegas, NV  89102
Phone: (702) 486-0277
Fax: (702) 486-8823
saadamaitis@detr.nv.gov

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Sight Services For Independent Living
Services for the Blind and Vision Impairedunder the New Hampshire Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Education.

Our general phone is: 603-271-3537 or 1-800-581-6881 (toll free)

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/
CBVI Information
The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired was established in 1910 by order of the NJ State Legislature. This agency’s mission is to promote and provide services in the areas of education, employment, independence and eye health through informed choice and partnership with persons who are blind or visually impaired, their families and the community.
www.state.nj.us

General Number: 973-648-3333
Toll Free: 877-685-8878
Email: AskCBVI@dhs.nj.gov

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico Commission for the Blind

www.cfb.state.nm.us

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind
1-866-222-1546

Agency brochure: https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/Programs-and-Services-for-Consumers.pdf

NORTH DAKOTA 

Aimee Volk 

1-800-755-2745

OHIO

OKLAHOMA 

SBVI Older Blind Independent Living

https://oklahoma.gov/okdrs/independence/blind/older-blind.html

OREGON 

PENNSYLVANIA 

BBVS CENTRAL OFFICE

1521 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Karen Walsh-Emma

570-704-9835

717-787-4885 TTY

866-830-7327 TTY*

PUERTO RICO

RHODE ISLAND

RI Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired
40 Fountain Street, Providence, RI 02903
Providing Independent Living and Vocational Rehabilitation services statewide
Website:  http://www.ors.ri.gov/SBVI.html
Referrals /inquiries accepted at Intake 401-462-7908

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina
Rhonda Thompson
Department Director
SC Commission for the Blind
Older Blind and Prevention of Blindness Programs
Children’s Services and Low Vision Clinics
(864) 241-1111 – Greenville

www.sccb.state.sc.us

or Ms. Toni Davis, at (864) 282-4331

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota Brochure

TENNESSEE 

TEXAS

Help line: 512-936-3388

Informational Flyer

UTAH

VERMONT

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Phone Number: 1-800-639-5861 ext. 214

You can also make a referral from our main page at : www.vabvi.org  - Referral sends your info to the Intake Specialist’s email address.  Checked by office manager when specialist is off.

VIRGINIA

Judy Jackson
804-371-3112 or 800-622-2155

VIRGIN ISLANDS

St. Croix Phone: 340-643-8145

St. Thomas/St. John Office Phone: 340-774-0930

Ask for Office of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services

WASHINGTON

Washington Sevices for the Blind

https://dsb.wa.gov/

info@dsb.wa.gov , Phone: 800-552-710

Alice Kleine
Office: 206.543.3616 (currently being forward to cell during Covid19)

WEST VIRGINIA

Agency:  West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
Contact:  Tammy Murdock, Program Specialist, 304-760-7180
Phone number: 1-800-642-3021
Website: wvdrs.org

WISCONSIN

Name of Agency: State of Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Contact Information: Ann Sievert, Director
Phone Number: 888-879-0017
Website: dhsobvi@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Counties/Areas served: All counties in Wisconsin

WYOMING

Wyoming OIB Regional Contacts

Funding statement:

This website is funded by  The Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center which is a development of the National Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University, focused on agencies serving older individuals who are blind (OIB). This grant (#H177Z150003) is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the U.S. Department of Education.