Researching Resources: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
Mary Beth Caruso, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
January 1, 2010
The start of each new year usually finds us making resolutions that will lead to better health and happiness. Research of resources that can help in these pursuits is the first step towards attainment of personal goals. 2010 is no different nor is the fact that one might be experiencing changes in vision. Below please find a list to “kick start” the research of resources. The following is not an endorsed or exhaustive list of resources for individuals with vision loss, their families, and other caregivers.
Companies specializing in adapted products:
- American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. 800-223-1839 www.aph.org
- Independent Living Aids 800-537-2118 www.independentliving.com
- LS&S 800-468-4789 www.LSSproducts.com
- Perkins Products 617-972-7308 www.perkinsproducts.org
- Shop Low Vision 800-826-4200 www.shoplowvision.com
- MaxiAids 800-522-6294 www.maxiaids.com
National Organizations:
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) 212-502-7600
- Directory of Services www.afb.org/services.asp
- AFB Senior Site www.afb.org/seniorsitehome.asp
- American Optometric Association (AOA) 314-991-4100 www.aoanet.org
- American Printing House for the Blind 502-895-2405 www.aph.org
- Association for Macular Diseases 212-605-3719 www.macula.org
- Hadley School for the Blind Correspondence Courses 847-446-8111 www.hadley.edu
- Helen Keller Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC) 516-944-8900 www.hkncinfo.org
- Lighthouse International 212-821-9200 www.Lighthouseinternational.org
- Perkins Scout: Information Clearinghouse on Blindness & Visual Impairment www.perkins.org/resources/scout/
- Strategies for Life: Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older 617-972-7643 www.perkins.org/community-programs/services-over-55/
- VisionAWARE www.visionaware.org
Local Agencies & Service Providers:
- Braille & Talking Book Library at Perkins (call for other states’ contact information – 800-852-3133) www.perkinslibrary.org
- Carroll Center for the Blind – Rehabilitation Services www.carroll.org
- Deafblind Contact Center (email)DBCC_MA@yahoo.com
- Descriptive Video Service (DVS) at WGBH Educational Foundation www.access.wgbh.org
- Lowell Association for the Blind (LAB) www.lowellassociationfortheblind.org
- MAB Community Services www.mabcommunity.org
- Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired 207-624-5950 www.state.me.us/rehab/
- Maine Iris Network 207-774-6273 www.theiris.org
- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) www.mass.gov/mcb
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission www.state.ma.us/mrc
- National Braille Press www.nbp.org
- New Hampshire Association for the Blind 603-224-4039 www.sightcenter.com
- New Hampshire Services for Blind and Visually Impaired 603-271-3537 www.ed.state.nh.us/VR/Prog&Svcs/Blind/blind1.html
- Perkins Strategies for Life: Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older
(Email) Outreach@Perkins.org - Sight Loss Services, Inc. Cape Cod and the Islands www.sightloss.org
- Talking Information Center (TIC) www.ticnetwork.com
- Vision Coalition Massachusetts
- Veterans Administration: Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) (call for other states’ contact information) – 617-232-9500 x2847)
Consumer Groups: National contact information provided - (call for other states’ contact information)
- American Council of the Blind 202-467-5081 www.acb.org
- Blinded Veterans Association 202-371-8880 www.bva.org
- National Federation of the Blind 410-659-9314 www.nfb.org
Perkins Strategies for Life will be the host agency during the month of February on the American Foundation for the Blind Senior Site. Perkins Outreach staff will have an article, share information and answer questions submitted to this website during the month. Access to resources is critical for good health and happiness. So in addition to contacting resources listed above, we encourage monthly visits for new tips and information at www.afb.org/seniorsitehome.asp Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643.


