Resources
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Pennsylvania Resources
Allegheny Intermediate Unit: Special Education Division
We maximize educational opportunities for all learners by responding to the needs of our community with leading-edge, high-quality, cost-effective programs and services.
Beaver County Association for the Blind
Beaver County Association for the Blind (BCAB) has offered a wide range of services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Specialized services designed to open up new vistas for a person with abrupt or slowly degenerating vision loss.
Blair/Clearfield County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and other human service needs have the opportunity to exercise choice and control in their lives and the responsibility to use their strengths and abilities to contribute to their family and community.
Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh
For more than 100 years, Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh has empowered people who are blind, deaf blind or vision impaired to become independent. Our mission is to change the lives of persons with vision loss and other disabilities by fostering independence and individual choice. Our Comprehensive Vision Rehabilitation Center is nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision Services (NAC) and offers custom and individualized programs that are designed to accomplish each client’s goals. Experienced and talented instructors, many of whom are blind or vision impaired themselves, provide instruction in essential areas such as Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training, and Computer Access Technology. We offer Vocational and Employment Services, a Low Vision Rehabilitation Program, and employment through our manufacturing division PBA Industries that contracts with businesses and U.S. governmental departments for signage, manufacturing, textile, and contract work.
Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia
The Blind Relief Fund of Philadelphia tops the contact lists of many providers of services to the blind because, when a blind person is in distress, The Blind Relief Fund is often the only organization in the Philadelphia region able to provide immediate assistance. We’re able to provide these vital services because of the vision of our founders more than 100 years ago and the generosity of our donors, people who give their time, their services and their financial support to help us fulfill our mission.
Bucks County Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired
The Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BCABVI) is a private, non-profit agency located in Newtown, PA. Our Mission is to provide resources, answers and support for people with blindness or other visual impairment that maximize their ability to meet life’s daily challenges and realize their continued self-worth and value to our community.
Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped
The Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped (CCABH) offers vision, rehabilitation, and employment services to persons with disabilities living in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. At the same time, we manufacture a wide variety of high-quality products, which are sold worldwide. The sale of our CAB Products helps support our services to more than 500 persons with disabilities. CAB Products are described in detail on this web site, and may be purchased through a network of distributors. Our manufacturing / employment facilities are located in Johnstown and Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. We are very proud of the excellent products that we manufacture and of the important role we play in helping our employees to enjoy happy and productive lives.
Capital Area Intermediate Unit
Our Mission: The Capital Area Intermediate Unit will achieve educational excellence with families, schools and communities through leadership, partnership and innovation. Our Vision: Educational Excellence through Leadership, Partnership and Innovation.
Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
In September of 1941, the Lions Club of Chester organized the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a two-employee workshop for blind individuals in a small garage at 3rd and Concord Streets in Chester. By 1943 the Center was registered as the Delaware County Branch of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (DCBPAB) with Arthur Copeland as the first director. Throughout the years, CBVI grew, expanded and developed as a multi-service agency to meet the ever-changing needs of people with blindness and visual impairment in Delaware County and beyond.
Central Susquehanna Sight Services
CSSS provides central Pennsylvania residents who are blind or visually impaired with the supportive programs and services needed to live fulfilling and self-sufficient lives in their own homes. Our vision screening and educational programs proactively target approximately 50% of blindness that is preventable through early detection of vision problems and education on good eye health and good eye safety.
Chester County Association for the Blind
We are a nonprofit association, with members of the Board of Directors serving without pay. We are audited by Public Accountants. The objective of the agency and its staff is to promote the adjustment, self-reliance, independence, and dignity of every visually impaired person in Chester County.
Community Services for Sight
Provides devices, appliances at cost, and eyeglasses at low cost.
https://communityservicesforsight.org
Dancing Dots
Dancing Dots offers technology, educational resources and training to assist blind and low vision individuals to read, write, and record their music. Our products and services foster inclusion, literacy and independence for visually impaired musicians and audio producers engaged in educational, leisure, and professional pursuits. With our Lime Lighter, low vision performers can read magnified print music up to 10 times standard size hands-free. Sighted people who can read print music can scan and edit scores and convert them to the equivalent Braille notation with our GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator. These sighted copyists need not necessarily know Braille. We offer remote and on-site training for accessible music technology to both sighted and blind users on the PC and on the Mac. We can teach you or your student to read Braille music. Consult our reference guide that describes a situation and suggests specific products and resources to find the solutions that will work best for you.
Edith R Rudolphy Residence for the Blind
The Edith R. Rudolphy Residence for the Blind is a program for low-income individuals with blindness and other disabilities. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging coordinates a broad range of services that help older Philadelphians live as independently as possible.
https://mercydouglas.org/property/rmdhftb2g/
Fayette County Association for the Blind
At the Fayette County Community Action Agency, our mission is to strengthen individuals and families to become more self-sufficient, achieving their potential by taking advantage of opportunities, improving the conditions in which they live and taking ownership of their community. We want you to realize that our successes are attributable to you, the members of our community and support network. You have stood by us as we have worked to turn our dreams into daily realities for not only our agency but the more than 30,000 residents we serve annually. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind
The mission of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind is to help people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve the best possible quality of life through compassionate, superior services and to prevent vision loss with education and early detection.
Indiana County Blind Association
To provide support to its statewide network of member agencies, empowering them to help Pennsylvanians prevent, prepare for and manage vision loss. PAB’s member agencies bring innovative programs and resources to local communities across Pennsylvania. Our services are designed to meet the individual needs of Pennsylvanians with vision impairment. PAB is the nation’s only statewide private non-profit organization providing services for people who are blind or visually impaired, as well as prevention of blindness programs to the general population.
Keystone Blind Association
We change people’s lives for the better. Our mission is to empower, educate, and employ individuals with vision loss or other disabilities.
Kutztown University: Department of Special Education
Comprising four colleges, Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences and Visual and Performing Arts, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania offers a wide range of outstanding academic programs to prepare individuals for successful careers.
https://kutztown.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/education/departments/special-education.html
Lackawanna County Association for the Blind
The mission of the Lackawanna Blind Association is to support and promote the interests of the blind and visually impaired, and the prevention of avoidable blindness.
Lehigh Valley Braille Guild
Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP)
Through Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the people of our region will develop the literacies and connections that support individual achievement and strengthen the power of community.
+1 (412) 687-2440 📱️ or +1 (800) 242-0586 📱️
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Free Library of Philadelphia
The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning.
https://libwww.freelibrary.org
Montgomery County Association for the Blind
Welcome to Montgomery County Association for the Blind! Montgomery County Association for the Blind’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and independence of people coping with blindness and vision impairment through rehabilitation, education, support and advocacy. Founded in 1945, MCAB is supported by contributions from donors, private foundations and corporate grants, special events, bequests, and other gifts. MCAB is not part of county government.
Moore Eye Institute
At Moore, we provide state-of-the-art retina and anterior segment eye care along with expert low vision rehabilitation. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists help patients preserve their vision and get the clarity they deserve for active, healthy lifestyles. We have six convenient locations near you in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Call us at +1 (800) 890-0000 📱️ to schedule an appointment with one of our eye specialists.
North Central Sight Services, Inc.
North Central Sight Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. We are proud to provide blindness prevention education, vision screenings, services and employment to individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the communities of Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties. North Central Sight Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization as designated by the IRS and is registered with the Bureau of Charities in the state of Pennsylvania. You can be an integral part of improving the quality of life for people in your community.
Northland Public Library
Northland Public Library is a public library serving Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Located in McCandless Township about eight miles north of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it is operated as a municipal authority supported by the residents of McCandless, Ross Township, the Borough of Franklin Park, Marshall Township, and the Borough of Bradford Woods. It is one of the largest suburban public libraries in Pennsylvania with over 38,000 cardholders and well over 1.1 million items circulated in 2012. The library is a member of the Allegheny County Library Association.
NuVisions Center
employment opportunities and community education.
Overbrook School for the Blind
Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) prepares our students, all of whom are blind, visually impaired or living with other challenges, to have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. Ours is a school where compassion, dedication, expertise, and instructional excellence are immediately evident. At OSB, teams of highly-qualified teachers and specialists work seamlessly to create a caring, can-do environment. Each and every day, our historic 26-acre campus in the Overbrook Farms section of West Philadelphia, is bustling with activity as our students work, play, and in some cases, live in an extraordinary set of integrated buildings that have been adapted to meet the multiple needs of our students.
Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology
The purpose of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology is to act as the voice of Ophthalmologic medicine in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Association for the Blind
To provide support to its statewide network of member agencies, empowering them to help Pennsylvanians prevent, prepare for and manage vision loss. PAB’s member agencies bring innovative programs and resources to local communities across Pennsylvania. Our services are designed to meet the individual needs of Pennsylvanians with vision impairment. PAB is the nation’s only statewide private non-profit organization providing services for people who are blind or visually impaired, as well as prevention of blindness programs to the general population.
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Responsible for the administration of all aging programs and services for the commonwealth Promotes prevention and protection for older Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) employs more than 5,000 workers in 200 offices statewide. Established in 1913, the department originally inspected the working conditions in factories around the state. Over time, the department’s responsibilities expanded. L&I also promotes economic development and an improved business climate through a variety of initiatives and programs to help Pennsylvania’s workforce remain world-class and globally competitive.
https://pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/Persona/PersonaPage/IndividualDisabilities
OVR Central Office +1 (717) 787-5244 📱️
Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp
The Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp is a beautiful five hundred- and eighty-three-acre summer camp for children and adults with special needs including blindness, deafness, and many other physical and mental challenges. It is nestled in the natural woodlands along the Juniata River of Central Pennsylvania just two miles west of Newton Hamilton, near Mount Union. Beacon Lodge was established in 1948 as a summer camp for blind residents of Pennsylvania. It has grown into a favorite retreat for many people with disabilities as well as a conference center for special groups, an educational facility for families, a rental camp for group retreats, and more. The goals of the camp were and are to present a well-rounded program adaptable to all campers and others, regardless of age, race, creed or color.
Pennsylvania Optometric Association
The Pennsylvania Optometric Association is the professional organization for Doctors of Optometry in Pennsylvania. An affiliate of the American Optometric Association, the POA promotes the highest quality eye and vision care by optometrists, represents optometry to state government, provides its members with post-graduate education and membership benefits, and conducts activities in the interest of the visual welfare of the public.
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
Working with the Bureau of Special Education (BSE), Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), PaTTAN provides a full array of professional development and technical assistance targeted to improving student results. This professional development and technical assistance takes many forms in order to meet the varied needs of PaTTAN’s constituents. Week-long summer institutes, ongoing professional development series, webinars, on-site assistance, and individual student or teacher supports are some of the means by which PaTTAN provides support to schools.
Harrisburg Office +1 (717) 541-4960 📱️
King of Prussia Office +1 (610) 265-7321 📱️
Pittsburgh Office +1 (412) 826-2336 📱️
Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is one of the sixty-seven University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A society where all people are valued and respected, and where all people have the knowledge, opportunity, and power to improve their lives and the lives of others.
https://disabilities.temple.edu
Royer-Greaves School for Blind
Realizing that many blind children were being denied the education they needed and deserved, Dr. Jessie Royer-Greaves founded Royer-Greaves School for the Blind in 1921. Other schools that accepted students with visual impairments then only accepted those who could demonstrate a minimum IQ score. Dr. Royer-Greaves realized that this left the vast potential of many young people unmet, and founded Royer-Greaves for them. This was a pioneering concept; ours was the first school of its kind in the country.
Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments
We invite you walk with us and learn about a place where students reach their fullest potential, a place where “what if” becomes “I can.”
Saint Lucy Day School for Children with Visual Impairments and Archbishop Ryan Academy for the Deaf are two of the four Special Education Schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. We are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and School Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools.
Scheie Eye Institute: Penn Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation
Penn Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, is dedicated to excellence in clinical care, research, and teaching. We offer complete diagnostic and treatment services in comprehensive ophthalmology, as well as all subspecialty areas. Services range from routine eye examinations to the most advanced ocular surgery. The Penn Ophthalmology Department offers individualized care across 17 ophthalmic sub-specialties and has one of the largest teams of eye care specialists in the United States. Ophthalmology faculty and staff are committed to translating the latest research into the most up-to-date treatment approaches, collaborating across the university and hospital system, mentoring and teaching the next generation of clinician scientists, and partnering with the community to address unmet eye care needs in Philadelphia.
https://pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/ophthalmology
South Central Blind Association
The Agencies listed above serve and assist the blind and visually impaired in Bedford County, PA which includes the areas of Bedford Township, Juniata Township, Schellsburg, Everett, New Baltimore, and other surrounding areas. Contact them for information, assistance, services, upcoming events, events, and news benefiting blind individuals, friends, and relatives in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
https://pablind.org/tag/bedford-county/
The Blind Association of Butler and Armstrong
Our mission is to raise awareness about blindness and empower and educate individuals who have visual impairments to lead independent and enriched lives. A new breed of nonprofit.
https://theblindassociation.org/
The Eye Institute at Salus University
The Eye Institute (TEI) has been a valuable vision care resource for Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley since opening its doors in 1978. As the clinical practice of the Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), TEI employs a multidisciplinary approach- with optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, optometric technicians, optometric interns (trainees) and other health care professionals working together in order to provide comprehensive vision care for nearly 50,000 patients annually.
The Sight Center of Northwest PA
Vision and Blindness Resources, Erie Center was founded in 1939 as an independent member agency of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, the largest intrastate network of agencies for people who are visually impaired in the country. To be the region’s primary resource for prevention of blindness, blindness skills training, and vision rehabilitation.
VisionCorps
VisionCorps serves 2,000 individuals who are blind or vision impaired through rehabilitation services and/or employment opportunities. We see a world where vision loss is not a barrier to personal and economic independence.
VisionLink
If you’ve been affected by blindness or visual impairment, know someone who has, or if you’re just seeking information, you’ve come to the right place. ASB is a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring self-esteem, independence and self-determination among people who are blind or visually impaired.
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children
The Mission of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is to be a leading educational facility and Outreach provider. The School offers a full range of exceptional individualized special education services fostering maximum independence for students with visual impairment, including blindness and other challenges, and provides support and resources to families and the community.
Westmoreland County Blind Association
Since 1948, WCBA’s mission has been to improve the quality of life for the sight impaired and intellectually challenged individuals as well as to assist in the prevention of blindness. To fulfill this mission, WCBA provides services and programs to individuals that enhance productivity and independence; and educates the community about eye disease, damage prevention and detection. WCBA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors and a talented staff. WCBA is dedicated to improving productivity, independence and quality of life for sight impaired, intellectually, and physically challenged individuals.
ACB Resources
National and International Resources
Organizations
American Association of the Deaf Blind (AADB) +1 (301) 588-6545 📱️
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) +1 (800) 840-8844 📱️
American Council of the Blind (ACB) +1 (202) 467-5081 📱️ or +1 (800) 424-8666 📱️
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) +1 (800) 232-5463 📱️
Association for Certification for Vision Rehabilitation and Education Programs (ACVREP) +1 (520) 887-6816 📱️
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) +1 (202) 371-8880 📱️ or +1 (800) 669-7079 📱️
Hadley School for the Blind +1 (847) 446-8111 📱️ or +1 (800) 323-4238 📱️
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairment (NAPVI) +1 (617) 972-7441 📱️ or +1 (800) 562-6265 📱️
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) +1 (410) 659-9314 📱️
National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision (NRTCBLV)
Advocacy and the ADA
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Home Page
Become An Effective Self-Advocate
Contacting The Congress: A Citizens’ Congressional Directory
National Disability Advocacy & Law Organizations
National Disability Rights Network +1 (202) 408-9514 📱️
National Organization on Disability +1 (646) 505-1191 📱️
U.S. Department of Justice and the ADA +1 (800) 514-0301 📱️ or +1 (800) 514-0383 📱️ (TTY)
Employment
Dept. of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy +1 (866) 633-7365 📱️ or +1 (877) 889-5627 📱️ (TTY)
Job Accommodation Network +1 (800) 526-7234 📱️ (Voice) or +1 (877) 781-9403 📱️ (TTY)
National Industries for the Blind +1 (703) 310-0500 📱️
Accessible Materials
Bookshare +1 (650) 352-0198 📱️
Learning Ally +1 (800) 221-4792 📱️
Adaptive Software and Technical Support
Apple Accessibility +1 (877) 204-3930 📱️
Freedom Scientific Customer Service: +1 (800) 444-4443 📱️; Tech Support: +1 (727) 803-8600 📱️
Human Ware +1 (800) 722-3393 📱️
Microsoft Accessibility +1 (800) 936-5900 📱️
Guide Dogs
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind +1 (800) 548-4337 📱️
National Association of Guide Dog Users +1 (813) 658-5749 📱️ or Hotline: +1 (888) 624-3841 📱️
Resource List, Guide Dog Schools [NFB]
Braille
Blindness Resource Center: Braille Links on the Internet
Braille Bookstore +1 (800) 987-1231 📱️
Braille Forum +1 (202) 467-5081 📱️ or +1 (800) 424-8666 📱️
Braille Institute of America +1 (323) 663-1111 📱️
National Braille Association +1 (585) 427-8260 📱️
National Braille Press +1 (617) 266-6160 📱️ or +1 (888) 965-8965 📱️
Shopping
Accessible Amazon Page Customer Service +1 (866) 216-1072 📱️
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) +1 (502) 895-2405 📱️ or +1 (800) 223-1839 📱️ (U.S. and Canada)
Future Aids: A Store for the Blind | Braille Superstore +1 (800) 987-1231 📱️
Independent Living Aids ILA +1 (800) 537-2118 📱️
Maxi Aids +1 (800) 522-6294 📱️
Audio Description
Sports
American Blind Bowlers’ Association
Audio Dart Master +1 (763) 383-0077 📱️
International Braille Chess Association
International Blind Golf Association
International Blind Sports Federation
National Beep Baseball Association
United States Association of Blind Athletes
Extras
Art Beyond Sight +1 (212) 334-8720 📱️