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Home  >  Reference  >  Circulars  >  Blindness   and Visual Impairments: Information and Advocacy Organizations

# NLS Reference Circulars

## Blindness and Visual Impairments: Information and Advocacy Organizations

2007

### Introduction 

 The consumer organizations listed in this reference circular provide a  variety of direct services to persons who are blind and visually impaired,  including advocacy and advisory services, information and referral, counseling  and employment programs, assistive devices, and publications in special format.  Many of the organizations also offer guidance and support to families of persons  with visual impairments. Professional organizations serve the interests of  eye care providers and those who provide educational and rehabilitation services  to blind and visually impaired individuals. They offer consumer information,  conduct public awareness campaigns, and advocate for specialized services.  Organizations that maintain lists of state administrators or state agencies  that provide services to blind and visually impaired individuals are also listed. 

### Contents 

National Consumer OrganizationsNational Professional OrganizationsOrganizations that Provide Reading ServicesOrganizations that Focus on ChildrenOrganizations that Focus on Eye Diseases and InjuriesOrganizations that Provide Financial and Other AssistanceGlobal OrganizationsSelected Bibliography

### National Consumer Organizations

**American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults (AAF)**  1800 Johnson Street, Suite 100  Baltimore, MD 21230  (410) 659-9315  (410) 659-5129 fax  actionfund@actionfund.orgwww.actionfund.org

Principal publications: *Hot Line to Deaf-Blind, weekly;    Oh! Say Can You See...*,  online; *Questions Kids Ask About Braille*, online; *Vision  Loss and Senior Citizens: Rights, Resources, and Responsibilities*, online 

Produces and distributes Twin Vision® (print/braille) books free of charge  throughout the United States and free braille calendars. Lends Twin Vision® and  braille books through the Kenneth Jernigan Library for Blind Children, Tarzana,  California, office. An application for library services is available on the  AAF web site.

**American Council of the Blind (ACB)**  1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004  Washington, DC 20005  (202) 467-5081   800-424-8666  (202) 467-5085 fax  info@acb.org  www.acb.org

Principal publications: *Braille Forum*, monthly; *Washington    Connection*, periodic,  online

National membership organization of blind or visually impaired persons in  the United States that advocates on their behalf on issues related to civil  rights, educational opportunities, vocational training, Social Security benefits,  health, and social services. Serves as an informational clearinghouse on blindness  and provides advisory service on federal legislation. Hosts various discussion  and information lists on its server. Special-interest affiliated organizations  include Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, ACB Diabetics in Action, Blind Information  Technology Specialists, Braille Revival League, Council of Citizens with Low  Vision International, Council of Families with Visual Impairment, Guide Dog  Users, Library Users of America, National Alliance of Blind Students, and National  Association of Blind Teachers.

**American Foundation for the Blind**  11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300  New York, NY 10001  (212) 502-7600  800-232-5463 (800-AFB-LINE)  (212) 502-7777 fax  afbinfo@afb.net   www.afb.org

Principal publications: *AccessWorld*, six issues per year, online; *AFB    eNews*,  monthly, online; *Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness*, monthly; *Words  from Washington*, biweekly, e-mail

Develops and provides programs and services for blind or visually impaired  people on issues related to education, assistive technology, literacy, and  independent living. Offers resources for job seekers and employers. Advocates  to improve government policies and programs. Sells publications in braille  and in print and on cassette, diskette, and video. Maintains digital  recording studios and the online resource AFB Senior Site. Operates a governmental  relations office in Washington, D.C., a Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, a  National Employment Center in San Francisco, a National Literacy Center in  Atlanta, and a Technology and Employment Center in Huntington, W.Va. Hosts  an electronic finding aid for the Helen Keller Archives and the online Helen  Keller Kids Museum.

**Association of Blind Citizens**P.O. Box 246   Holbrook, MA 02343   (781) 961-1023 (781) 654-2000 news and activities line  (781) 961-0004 fax  president@blindcitizens.orgwww.blindcitizens.org

Principal publication: **20/20 Access**, biannual, online

Works to enhance the social, political, and economic well being of blind or  visually impaired individuals. Serves to increase opportunities in education,  employment, culture and recreation, and other life activities. Operates the  *In   Focus* monthly radio program in Real Audio format. Offers publications, referrals,  and college scholarships for legally blind individuals.

**Blinded American Veterans Foundation**  P.O. Box 65900  Washington, DC 20035-5900  (202) 462-4430  800-284-2283  email@bavf.org  www.bavf.org

Principal publication: *Raising Cane*, irregular

Maintains a nationwide volunteer corps to offer employment networking   and rehabilitation counseling for blind veterans. Supports medical research    on sensory disabilities.

**Blinded Veterans Association**  477 H Street NW  Washington, DC 20001-2694  (202) 371-8880  800-669-7079  (202) 371-8258 fax  bva@bva.org  www.bva.org

Principal publication: *BVA Bulletin*, quarterly  National membership organization of veterans who become blind or visually impaired    during or after their military service. Assists veterans in obtaining benefits,    rehabilitation training, and finding jobs. Advocates on their behalf. Offers    scholarships to their spouses and dependents. Provides services at no charge    and membership is not a prerequisite.

**Enrichment Audio Resource Services, Inc. (E.A.R.S.)**  1202 Lexington Avenue, Suite 316  New York, NY 10028  800-843-6816  info@earsforeyes.org  www.earsforeyes.org

Provides free audiocassette tapes that teach adaptive daily living skills  to visually impaired individuals and their caregivers. Maintains an online  national directory of low-vision support groups arranged by state and county.  Offers continuing education courses for occupational and physical therapists  and related health-care professionals.

**Hadley School for the Blind**  700 Elm Street  Winnetka, IL 60093-2554  (847) 446-8111   800-323-4238  (847) 446-0855 fax  info@hadley.edu and student_services@hadley.edu  www.hadley-school.org

Principal publications: *Connection*, online; *Generations*, online 

Offers free distance education courses to blind adults, relatives of blind  individuals, and professionals in the blindness field. Courses include adjusting  to blindness and braille reading and writing. Materials are sent by  mail or e-mail. Students in the United States and Canada may contact instructors  by a toll-free telephone number.

**Lighthouse International Headquarters**  The Sol and Lillian Goldman Building  111 East 59th Street  New York, NY 10022-1202  (212) 821-9200  800-829-0500  (212) 821-9713 TT  (212) 821-9707 fax  info@lighthouse.org  www.lighthouse.org  www.lighthouse.org/medical (Vision Health)

Principal publications: *EnVision*, two issues per year; *Sharing    Solutions*,  two issues per year (for support networks)

Offers a range of vision rehabilitation services for children, working-age  adults, and older adults and a continuing education program for professionals.  Provides evaluations and instruction to prepare children who are visually impaired  to transition into mainstream public education and  offers youth and career services to prepare youth ages fourteen to twenty-one  years old to succeed in school and in work. Operates the Filomen M. D’Agostino  Greenberg Music School and a Music Technology Center. Maintains Vision Health,  an online resource on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Sells brochures,  books, and videos on vision and vision impairment.

**Lions Clubs International**  300 West 22nd Street  Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842  (630) 571-5466  (630) 571-8890 fax  Lions@lionsclubs.org  www.lionsclubs.org

Principal publication: *e-Newsletter*, monthly, online; *TheLion*, monthly

Initiates service projects such as sight conservation and diabetes education  through more than forty-five thousand clubs in two hundred countries. Provides  free professional glaucoma screenings and devices such as braille writers and  white canes, collects used eyeglasses to distribute in developing   countries, and sponsors guide dogs. Supports eye research centers worldwide  and Lions Club camps for blind and visually impaired individuals.

**Mississippi State University  Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on   Blindness and Low Vision**P.O. Box 6189  Mississippi State, MS 39762  (662) 325-2694  800-675-7782  (662) 325-8693 TT  (662) 325-8989 fax  rrtc@ra.MsState.Edu   www.blind.msstate.edu 

Improves employment and independent living outcomes for individuals who are  blind or visually impaired through research, training, and education.   Provides an accessible database of resources on blindness and low vision to  consumers and professionals through the Information and Resource Referral Project.  The project also maintains a database directed at the Business Enterprise Program,  which is a program for blind small-business owners. Sells research publications.

**National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)**  22 West 21st Street, Sixth Floor  New York, NY 10010  (212) 889-3141 **and** (212) 255-2804  (212) 727-2931 fax  navh@navh.org   www.navh.org

507 Polk Street, Suite 420  San Francisco, CA 94102  (415) 775-6284 (415-775-NAVH)  (415) 346-9593 fax  staffca@navh.org   www.navh.org

Principal publication: *Update*, quarterly 

Offers information, referral, and emotional support to individuals with low  vision, their families, and the professionals who work with them. Maintains  a large-print loan library. Sells magnifiers and other low vision aids.

**National Federation of the Blind (NFB)**  1800 Johnson Street  Baltimore, MD 21230  (410) 659-9314  (410) 685-5653 fax  nfb@nfb.org   www.nfb.org   www.nfbnet.org (FTP service)

Principal publications: *Braille Monitor*, monthly; *Future    Reflections*, quarterly;  *Voice of the Diabetic*, quarterly

National membership organization of blind people in the United States that   seeks their complete societal integration. Monitors state and federal laws    and regulations affecting people with visual impairments. Informs members    of services available to them and of their rights under the law. Maintains    the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind. Offers NFB-NEWSLINE,    a telephone service that provides audio versions of print newspapers and    magazines free to legally blind subscribers. Sells assistive devices and    publications. Divisions include Deaf-Blind, Diabetes Action Network, National    Association of Blind Students, National Organization of Blind Educators,    National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, Senior Blind, Travel    and Tourism, and Writers.

**National Industries for the Blind (NIB)**  1310 Braddock Place  Alexandria, VA 22314-1691  (703) 310-0500  877-884-5835 government sales contacts  customer_service@nib.org  www.nib.org

Increases opportunities for economic and personal independence of blind persons  by creating, sustaining, and improving employment. Develops business opportunities  in the federal, state, and commercial marketplaces for not-for-profit agencies  and organizations associated with NIB. Allocates federal government contracts  for SKILCRAFT products or services through AbilityOne (formerly Javits-Wagner-O’Day),  a mandatory procurement program.

**National Resource Center for Blind Musicians**  Music and Arts Center for Humanity  510 Barnum Avenue  Bridgeport, CT 06608  (203) 366-3300  (203) 368-2847 fax  info@blindmusicstudent.org  www.blindmusicstudent.org

Provides information and referral services for visually impaired students  of all ages, their parents, and teachers. Maintains a network of visually impaired  musicians willing to share their expertise in braille music, technology, and  coping strategies. Administers the Summer Institute for Blind College-bound  Musicians, a residential program for students who are studying music at the  college level. Works on a contract basis with schools and state agencies in  Connecticut to provide technical support for students in high school music  classes.

**Prevent Blindness America**  211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700  Chicago, IL 60606  800-331-2020  info@preventblindness.org  www.preventblindness.org

Principal publication: *Prevent Blindness America News    Online*, three issues  per year, e-mail

Offers programs and services to help fight blindness and save sight, including  adult and children’s vision screenings; a toll-free information hotline;  patient, public, and professional education; workplace programs; and research  grants. Sells brochures on vision health and eye safety, some in Spanish, and  the *Play It Safe with Your Eyes* video for children in preschool through second  grade.

**TelecomPioneers** (formerly Telephone Pioneers of America)  P.O. Box 13888   Denver, CO 80201-3888   (303) 571-1200  800-872-5995  (303) 572-0520 fax  info@telecompioneers.org  www.telecompioneers.org

Principal publication: *Fully Charged*, quarterly, e-mail

Engages current and retired employees of the telecommunications industry in  various volunteer projects. Partners with the National Library Service for  the Blind and Physically Handicapped and its network of cooperating libraries  to repair playback machines of the talking-book program. May visit homes of  new readers to demonstrate use of the equipment and may help library staffs  inspect returned talking books for damage before the books are loaned to other  readers.

**Vision Council of America**  1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 500  Alexandria, VA 22314  (703) 548-4560  (703) 548-4580 fax  vca@visionsite.org  www.visionsite.org/s_vision/

Works to raise awareness of low vision rehabilitation among eye care providers,  visually impaired consumers, and their caregivers through its Low Vision Division.  Conducts a nationwide public-awareness campaign, Check Yearly, See Clearly  (www.checkyearly.com), to educate Americans on the importance of regular vision  care. Partnered with Reading Is Fundamental to distribute vision-health kits  to librarians and with Scholastic Publishing to publish a teaching guide entitled  Our Amazing Eyes.

**Vision World Wide, Inc.**  5707 Brockton Drive, Suite 302  Indianapolis, IN 46220-5481  (317) 254-1332  800-431-1739  (317) 251-6588 fax  info@visionww.org   www.visionww.org/index.html

Principal publication: *Vision Enhancement*, quarterly; *Vision    E-News*, monthly,  e-mail

Provides information, support, and a referral helpline to persons with low  vision and their families. Maintains a web site with links that include associations  and organizations, information on specific eye diseases and disorders, and  sources for electronic books and assistive devices. Offers live chat with a  staff member during office hours.

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### National Professional Organizations

**American Academy of Ophthalmology**  P.O. Box 7424  San Francisco, CA 94120-7424  800-628-6733 Children’s EyeCare Program  800-272-3937 (800-272-EYES) Diabetes EyeCare Program  800-391-3937 (800-391-EYES) Glaucoma EyeCare Program  866-324-3937 (866-324-EYES) Macular Degeneration EyeCare Program  800-222-3937 (800-222-EYES) Seniors EyeCare Program  (415) 561-8533 fax  customer_service@aao.orgwww.aao.org **and** www.eyecareamerica.org

Principal publications: *EyeNet Magazine*, ten issues per year; *Ophthalmology*,  monthly

National membership association for ophthalmologists that advances their professional  interests to ensure quality eye care to the public. Provides free eye health  educational materials and access to medical eye care through EyeCare America  programs for children, diabetics, seniors, and others. Conducts the EyeSmart  public awareness campaign. Assists patients with low vision through the SmartSight  initiative. Helps improve eye care in developing countries through education.  Uses the Museum of Vision to educate people about the eye and the history of  eye care. Offers "Find an Eye M.D.," an online listing of member  ophthalmologists who practice in the United States and abroad.

**American Optometric Association (AOA)**  243 North Lindbergh Boulevard, First Floor  St. Louis, MO 63141  (314) 991-4100  800-365-2219  (314) 991-4101 fax  www.aoa.org

Principal publications: *AOA News Online*, 18 issues per year, online; *E-newsletter*,  monthly, e-mail; *Optometry*: *Journal of the AOA*, monthly

National membership organization for optometrists, students of optometry,  and paraoptometrics who are dedicated to improving the quality and availability  of eye care in the United States. Sponsors Vision USA to provide free vision  care services to children and adults who have no other means of obtaining care.  Offers "InfantSEE" as a free one-time eye assessment to infants  in their first year of life. Lobbies the federal government and organizations  on behalf of the optometric profession. Offers consumer information and an  online tool to locate optometrists.

**Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired  (AER)**  1703 North Beauregard Street, Suite 440  Alexandria, VA 22311  (703) 671-4500  877-492-2708  (703) 671-6391 fax  www.aerbvi.org

Principal publications: *AER Report*, quarterly; *Job    Exchange*, monthly; *RE:view*,  quarterly

National membership organization for professionals who work in all phases  of education and rehabilitation of children and adults who are blind or visually  impaired. Provides opportunities to members for professional development through  publications, certification programs, meetings and conferences, timely news  and research information, and job exchange services. Advocates the importance  of maintaining specialized services for blind consumers of all ages.

**Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation**  4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 330  Bethesda, MD 20814  (301) 654-8414(301) 654-5542 fax  www.rehabnetwork.org  www.rehabnetwork.org/directors_contact.htm (State Directors)

Works to maintain and enhance a national program of public vocational rehabilitation  services that empowers individuals with physical and mental disabilities to  achieve employment, economic self-sufficiency, and societal inclusion. These  agencies constitute the state partners in the state-federal program of rehabilitation  services provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Maintains  an online listing of the chief administrators of these agencies with contact  information arranged alphabetically by state and territories.

**National Accreditation Council (NAC) for Agencies Serving the   Blind and Visually Impaired**  21475 Lorain Road, Suite 300  Fairview Park, OH 44126  (440) 409-0340  (440) 409-0173 fax  shegedeos@nacasb.org  www.nacasb.org

Develops standards and administers a voluntary system of accreditation for  agencies and schools providing direct services and programs to persons who  are blind and visually impaired. Sells the NAC standards manual.

**National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals**  Carlos Serván, President  3800 C Street  Lincoln, NE 68510  (402) 327-0414 home  (402) 471-8104 work  cservan@inebraska.com  www.nfb.org/nfb/Professionals_Rehab.asp?SnID=2730115

Division of the National Federation of the Blind that focuses on blindness  rehabilitation policy and the interests of blind individuals who work in the  rehabilitation community. Offers a forum for blind and sighted rehabilitation  professionals to share ideas and innovative approaches about providing rehabilitation  services to blind and visually impaired consumers.

**National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB)**  101 South Trenton Street  Ruston, LA 71270  (318) 257-4554  (318) 257-2259 fax  aholladay@nbpcb.org  www.nbpcb.org

Certifies qualified specialists to work with individuals who are blind through  the National Orientation and Mobility Certification and the Recertification  Program. Created by the National Federation of the Blind and its affiliate  the Louisiana Center for the Blind.

**National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, Inc. (NCSAB)**  4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 330  Bethesda, MD 20814  (301) 654-4885  (301) 654-5542 fax  www.ncsab.org  www.ncsab.org/ncsab_directory.htm (NCSAB directory)  www.ncsab.org/randolphSheppard/bepdirectors.htm (BEP Directors)

Advocates for, and promotes the delivery of, specialized services that enable  individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve personal and vocational  independence. Serves as an advisory body to federal agencies. Has an online  directory of state agencies that provide services for blind people, Business  Enterprise Program state directors, and information on the Randolph-Sheppard  Act.

**Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute  Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC)**2318 Fillmore Street  San Francisco, CA 94115  (415) 345-2110 and (415) 345-2114  (415) 345-8455 fax  RERC@ski.org   www.ski.org/rerc 

Principal publication: *Smith-Kettlewell Technical File*, 1980 through 1998,  available online at www.ski.org/Rehab/sktf/index.html

Undertakes projects designed to produce new technology and methods for assessment  and rehabilitation of blindness, visual impairment, and deaf-blindness. Projects  fall into six main areas: infant vision screening and rehabilitation, educational  technology and graphics access, vocational and daily living technology, orientation  and mobility, low vision tests and technology, and dual sensory loss.

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### Organizations that Provide Reading Services

**American Printing House for the Blind (APH)**  1839 Frankfort Avenue  P.O. Box 6085  Louisville, KY 40206-0085  (502) 895-2405  800-223-1839  (502) 899-2274 fax  info@aph.orgwww.aph.org

Principal publications: *APH News*, monthly, online

Funded by an 1879 Act of Congress designating APH as the official source of  educational texts (primary through secondary level) for students who are visually  impaired in the United States and its territories. Maintains the Louis Database  of Accessible Materials and APH File Repository, a database of textbooks, recreational  reading, and music materials available in braille, large print, electronic  files, and on audiocassette, produced by APH, volunteers, and commercial companies.  Offers Assessment, Bookstore, Daily Living, Family Life, and Products catalogs  online in downloadable HTML, PDF, or text files.

**International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS)**  Heather Lusignan, President  VoicePrint Canada  1090 Don Mills Road, Suite 303  Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 3R6   800-280-5325 national office  800-567-6755, ext. 224, president’s officehlusignan@nbrscanada.com  http://iaais.org  Principal publications: *IAAIS Directory*, annual; *IAAIS  Report*, quarterly

Maintains an online listing of radio reading services in the United States;  Toronto; and Levin, New Zealand. Represents radio and information services,  dial-in newspapers, and Internet broadcasters that deliver audio broadcasts  of daily newspapers and other printed materials to individuals with a visual,  physical, or learning disability.

**Library of Congress  National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped**1291 Taylor Street NW  Washington, DC 20542  (202) 707-5100  (202) 707-0712 fax  (202) 707-0744 TT  nls@loc.gov  www.loc.gov/nls

Principal publications: *Library Resources for the Blind    and Physically Handicapped*,  annual; *Facts: Books for Blind and Physically Handicapped  Individuals*, annual;  *Facts: Music for Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals*, annual; *News*,  quarterly

Administers a free national library program of braille and recorded books  and magazines for blind or physically handicapped individuals. Distributes  reading materials and playback machines through cooperating regional (state)  and subregional (local) libraries to eligible borrowers. Lends music materials  from the Music Section in Washington, D.C., including scores in braille and  large print; magazines and books about music and musicians in braille, large  print, and recorded format; and instruction for voice and for instruments in  braille and recorded format. Maintains the International Union Catalog for  Alternate Format Materials, a database of records for the braille, recorded,  and electronic collections of the National Library Service and the special  media collections, including large print, of other national and international  agencies that serve blind or visually impaired individuals.

**National Braille Association (NBA)**  Three Townline Circle  Rochester, NY 14623-2513  (585) 427-8260  (585) 427-0263 fax  nbaoffice@nationalbraille.org   www.nationalbraille.org

Principal publication: *NBA Bulletin*, quarterly; available in print, braille,  audiocassette, and diskette 

Provides courses to groups and individuals on braille transcribing, audio-tape  recording techniques, and tactile graphics. Publishes manuals and guidelines  for the production of braille. Maintains "Ask an Expert," an Internet  forum, and the online "Transcribers’ Connections" for certified  transcribers and proofreaders to connect with agencies and individuals who  are looking for specific expertise.

**National Braille Press (NBP)**  88 Saint Stephen Street  Boston, MA 02115  (617) 266-6160  888-965-8965  (617) 437-0456 fax  orders@nbp.org   www.nbp.org 

Promotes literacy for individuals who are blind and deaf-blind by producing  and selling materials in braille, electronic braille (PortaBooks), print/braille,   and large-print formats. Also produces tactile graphics. Offers the Children’s  Braille Book Club that features a new print/braille book each month. Distributes,  with Seedlings Braille Books for Children, braille book bags to families of  blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven. Offers subscriptions  to *Syndicated Columnists Weekly*, a weekly newspaper,    and *Our Special*, a monthly women’s magazine. Provides access to standardized  assessments for blind students through the National Braille Test Center.

**Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)**  20 Roszel Road  Princeton, NJ 08540  (609) 452-0606  866-732-3585 (866-RFBD-585)  800-221-4792 (Member Services Department)  (609) 987-8116 fax  custserv@rfbd.org  www.rfbd.org

Principal publication: *Recording for the Blind News*, three issues per year

Lends digitally recorded textbooks on CDs at all academic levels from kindergarten  through graduate school to persons with a documented visual, physical, or learning  disability that substantially limits reading. Requires a one-time registration  fee and annual membership fee for individuals and for institutions. Maintains  an online book catalog and ordering system. Sells digital playback devices,  software, and accessories.

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### Organizations that Focus on Children

**ADVISOR Coordinating Center (Assisting the Development of Visually Impaired  Students through Online Resources)**  Children’s Hospital Boston  Department of Ophthalmology  Fegan Building, Fourth Floor  300 Longwood Avenue  Boston, MA 02115  (617) 735-5746  (617) 730-0392 fax  advisor@childrens.harvard.eduwww.e-advisor.us/index.php?fontsize=normal&hicontrast=

Offers online information about eye conditions and eye resources for parents,  teachers, and physicians. Maintains the Parent-to-Parent Forum on the Advisor  discussion board as a virtual support group for parents raising visually impaired  children.

**American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus**  P.O. Box 193832  San Francisco, CA 94119-3832  (415) 561-8505  (415) 561-8531 fax  aapos@aao.org  www.aapos.org

Principal publication: *Journal of AAPOS*, bimonthly

Dedicated to ensuring quality medical and surgical eye care for children and  adults with strabismus. Offers information on common pediatric eye problems  including strabismus, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity, and conjunctivitis.  Provides an online database of pediatric ophthalmologists.

**Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases (ROPARD)**  P.O. Box 250425  Franklin, MI 48025  (248) 549-2671  800-788-2020  ropard@yahoo.com  www.ropard.org

Principal publication: *Newsletter*, two issues per year, online

Dedicated to eliminating low vision and blindness in children caused by premature  birth and retinal diseases and to funding research to treat and prevent such  diseases. Maintains a national telephone support group for parents. Sells the  brochure *A Parents’ Guide to Their Premature Baby’s Eyes* in English  and in Spanish and the videos *Management of Retinopathy  of Prematurity and Retinopathy of Prematurity*.

**Blind Babies Foundation**  1814 Franklin Street, 11th Floor  Oakland, CA 94612  (510) 446-2229 (510-446-BABY)  (510) 446-2262 fax  bbfinfo@blindbabies.org  http://blindbabies.typepad.com

Principal publication: *Off to a Good Start*, two issues per year, online

Provides services and programs that enable families and professionals to meet  the unique needs of infants and preschool children who are blind or visually  impaired or have multiple handicaps and visual impairment. Conducts the early  intervention program called Off to a Good Start. Helps collect data on visually  impaired children, birth to three years of age, for the Babies Count National  Registry. Offers online factsheets.

**Blind Children’s Center**  4120 Marathon Street  Los Angeles, CA 90029-3584  (323) 664-2153  800-222-3566  (323) 665-3828 fax  www.blindchildrenscenter.org

Principal publication: *Light the Way*, one or two issues per year, online

Serves children with visual impairment from birth to school age by providing  information about adaptive devices, educational materials, toys, and other  resources. Makes referrals to early intervention programs, social service agencies,  advocacy groups, and self-help organizations. Sells booklets, some in Spanish;  training manuals; and videos.

**Blind Children’s Fund**  201 South University Street  Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858  (989) 779-9966  (989) 779-0015 fax  bcf@blindchildrensfund.org  www.blindchildrensfund.org

Principal publication: *VIP Newsletter*, quarterly, sample issue online

Provides information, materials, and resources to parents and professionals  to help them teach and nurture infants and young children who are blind or  visually impaired or have multiple disabilities. Sells toys, videos, jewelry,  braille Christmas cards, and books for children, parents, and professionals.

**Children’s Glaucoma Foundation**  Two Longfellow Place, Suite 201  Boston, MA 02114  (617) 227-3011  (617) 227-9538 fax  info@childrensglaucoma.com  www.childrensglaucoma.com

Increases the awareness of the symptoms of glaucoma and encourages parents  and doctors to screen infants and children for glaucoma. Provides online resources  about childhood glaucoma.

**Foundation for Blind Children (FBC)**  1235 East Harmont Drive  Phoenix, AZ 85020  (602) 331-1470  800-322-4870 (800-FBC-4870)  (602) 678-5803 fax  info@seeitourway.org  www.seeitourway.org **and** www.the-fbc.org

Provides a variety of programs for infants, children, youth, and adults who  are blind or visually impaired. Offers vision rehabilitation services, training  in using assistive technologies, and services for making the transition into  the work force. Maintains the Arizona Instructional Resource Center to make  print materials available in braille or large print. Publishes research and  practice materials written by staff members on a variety of topics, including  *COBRA: Braille Access to Computers with a Print Compatible  Code, Emergent Literacy for Young Blind Children, Independent Life Skills Trays*, and *A  New Approach to the Transition Process*. Each title is $10.

**Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education**  1201 11th Avenue South, Suite 300   Birmingham, AL 35205   (860) 306-2496   (386) 424-1809 fax  www.helenkellerfoundation.org/home.asp

Provides a slide presentation for school programs on the life and legacy of  Helen Keller and materials that depict the serious nature of eye injuries and  their prevention. Awards the Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research to promote  public awareness of research efforts to end blindness. Focuses on three vision  research areas: the child’s eye, including retinopathy of prematurity  and strabismus; prevention and treatment of the injured eye; and the aging  eye, including cataract and glaucoma.

**Institute for Families**  4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mail Stop 111  Los Angeles, CA 90027  (323) 669-4649  (323) 665-7869 fax  info@instituteforfamilies.org  www.instituteforfamilies.org

Principal publications: *Retinoblastoma Support News*, quarterly, and *Parent  to Parent*, quarterly

Offers information, support, and counseling to families of children with visual  impairment. Offers a nationwide telephone counseling service. Publishes the  books *My Fake Eye: The Story of My Prosthesis* and *My  New Eye Patch* in English  and in Spanish and *My New Glasses* in English. Produces four videos that deal  with issues affecting the families of visually impaired children and the health-care  workers who assist them.

**Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) International**  120 Wall Street  New York, NY 10005-4001   800-533-2873 (800-533-CURE)  (212) 785-9595 fax  info@jdrf.org  www.jdrf.org

Principal publications: *Countdown*, quarterly; *Countdown    for Kids*, quarterly;    *Emerging Technologies*, monthly, e-mail; *Life    with Diabetes*, monthly, e-mail;  *Research Frontline*, every six to eight weeks, e-mail

Works for the prevention, treatment, and cure of juvenile diabetes. Offers  JDRF Kids Online that features pen pals and stories; Online Diabetes Support  Team to provide one-on-one support to families; and information about type  1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), daily care and treatment, coping with emotional  demands, and helping delay the onset of complications.

**National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments**  P.O. Box 317  Watertown, MA 02471-0317  (617) 972-7441  800-562-6265  (617) 972-7444 fax  napvi@perkins.org  www.spedex.com/napvi  www.spedex.com/napvi/index_sp.htm (in Spanish)

Principal publication: *Awareness*, quarterly

Maintains a national support and information network and a referral service  for parents and families of children who have a visual impairment. Has state  and local chapters and links to online information. Advocates for the educational  needs and welfare of blind or visually impaired children. Sells publications;  one on grandparenting is available in English and in Spanish.

**National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)**  1800 Johnson Street  Baltimore, MD 21230-4998  (410) 659-9314  bcheadle@nfb.org  www.nfb.org/nfb/Parents_and_Teachers.asp?SnID=1329886853

Principal publication: *Future Reflections*, quarterly; in print, audiocassette,  four-track audiocassette, by e-mail, and on the NFB web site

Division of the National Federation of the Blind that provides information  and support to parents and friends of children who are blind, advocates on  their behalf, and facilitates the sharing of experience and concerns among  parents. Offers a listserv for parents.

**One Small Voice Foundation**  P.O. Box 644  Elmhurst, IL 60126  onesmallvoice@earthlink.netwww.onesmallvoicefoundation.org

Principal publication: *One Small Voice Foundation Newsletter*, annual, online

Provides information about optic nerve hypoplasia, a leading cause of blindness  and visual impairment in children, and hydrocephalus. Funds research for these  disorders.

**The Vision of Children Foundation**  12671 High Bluff Drive, Suite 300  San Diego, CA 92130  (858) 799-0810  (858) 794-2348 fax  jleonard@visionofchildren.org  www.visionofchildren.org

Principal publication: *The Vision of Children Newsletter*, biannual

 Dedicated to curing hereditary childhood blindness and other vision disorders.      Sponsors scientific research to develop therapies and cures for these conditions.      Provides information and support to families of blind and visually impaired      children and to service providers. Works to develop the first patient database      registry for research and studies involving ocular albinism and other genetic      vision disorders. 

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### Organizations that Focus on Eye Diseases and Injuries

**American Behcet’s Disease Association**  P.O. Box 19952  Amarillo, TX 79114  800-723-4238 (800-7BEHCETS)  (480) 247-5377 faxwww.behcets.com

Promotes awareness and understanding of Behcet’s disease, which may  cause inflammation in the front or the back of the eye. Provides support and  information to individuals with the disease and their families and educates  the medical community about the disease. Offers online resources and physician  referrals. Maintains a chat room and message boards.

**American Diabetes Association (ADA)**  National Call Center  1701 North Beauregard Street  Alexandria, VA 22311  800-342-2383 (800-DIABETES)  AskADA@diabetes.org  www.diabetes.org/home.jsp (in English and Spanish)

Principal publications: *Diabetes Forecast*, monthly, for persons with diabetes  and their families; several e-newsletters available, frequency varies, e-mail;  journals for the health care practitioner: *Clinical Diabetes*, quarterly; *Diabetes*,  monthly; *Diabetes Care*, monthly; *Diabetes Spectrum*, quarterly

Seeks to prevent and cure diabetes and help people live with and manage its  complications, such as diabetes-related eye diseases. Provides information  to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals, and the public.  Develops materials to help people understand their risk for diabetes and the  need for diabetic retinopathy screening. Maintains a national call center.  Advocates for the rights of people with diabetes. Funds research and publishes  scientific findings in journals for physicians who specialize in diabetes and  for general practitioners. Sells publications, CDs, and videos for the public  and health professionals.

**American Macular Degeneration Foundation**  P.O. Box 515  Northampton, MA 01061-0515  (413) 268-7660  888-622-8527 (888-MACULAR)   amdf@macular.org  www.macular.org

Principal publication: *In the Spotlight*, quarterly

Works for the prevention, treatment, and cure of macular degeneration by educating  the public, supporting scientific research, and raising funds. Provides the  DVD Hope and Cope: Living with Macular Degeneration to health care and social  service providers, to libraries, and individuals who subscribe to the newsletter.

**Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.**  210 East 64th Street, Eighth Floor  New York, NY 10021  (212) 605-3719  (212) 605-3795 fax  association@retinal-research.org  www.macula.org 

Principal publication: *Eyes Only*, quarterly

Acts as a national support group for individuals who are adjusting to the  problems related to macular diseases and their families.

**The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)**  11435 Cronhill Drive  Owings Mills, MD 21117-2220  (410) 568-0150  800-683-5555  (410) 363-7139 and 800-683-5551 TT  info@blindness.org  www.blindness.org 

Principal publications: *Fighting Blindness News*, six issues per year (three  full issues and three Update supplements); *FFB InSight*, e-mail

Funds research to find treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases,  including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and Usher syndrome. Provides  information and referral services. Maintains online low vision coping resources,  live chat sessions, and message boards. Has a national network of volunteer  groups that raises funds, increases public awareness, and provides community  support. Has incorporated Macular Degeneration International, www.maculardegeneration.org,  as a support organization to help people with macular degeneration lead independent  lives.

**The Glaucoma Foundation**  80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1206  New York, NY 10038  (212) 285-0080   800-452-8266 (800-GLAUCOMA)  (212) 651-1888 fax  info@glaucomafoundation.org  www.glaucomafoundation.org

Principal publication: *Eye to Eye*, two issues per year

Provides online resources and online support groups. Funds research to determine  the causes of glaucoma, to improve methods of treatment, and to develop cures  for the disease.

**Glaucoma Research Foundation**  251 Post Street, Suite 600  San Francisco, CA 94108  (415) 986-3162  800-826-6693  (415) 986-3763 fax  question@glaucoma.org   www.glaucoma.org 

Principal publication: *Gleams*, three issues per year, in print and by e-mail

Dedicated to protecting the sight and independence of people with glaucoma  through research and education. Provides online resources and free publications  on glaucoma in English and in Spanish.

**Glaucoma Service Foundation to Prevent Blindness**  Wills Eye Hospital  840 Walnut Street, Suite 1130  Philadelphia, PA 19107-5598  (215) 928-3190   (215) 928-3194 fax  www.wills-glaucoma.org  www.wills-glaucoma.org/spanish/home.htm (in Spanish)  www.wills-glaucoma.org/portuguese/home.htm (in Portuguese)

Principal publication: *Searchlight on Glaucoma*, three issues per year, in  print and online

Provides a model of medical care by supporting the educational and research  efforts of the physicians on the Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Service. Answers  questions about glaucoma on the first and third Wednesday of every month in  the chat room. Offers information online.

**Macula Vision Research Foundation Five Tower Bridge**  300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 600  West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2984  (610) 668-6705  866-462-2852 (866-4MACULA)  (610) 667-1459 fax  lea@mvrf.org  www.mvrf.org

Seeks the cause, prevention, and treatment of macula diseases with the goal  of saving sight. Offers SupportSight, a service enhancing the quality of life  for people with macular degeneration through public education programs, small  support groups, and a toll-free hotline. Awards research grants and conducts  conferences.

**Macular Degeneration Foundation**  P.O. Box 531313  Henderson, NV 89053  888-633-3937  (702) 450-3396 fax  eyesight@eyesight.org  www.eyesight.org

Principal publication: *The Magnifier*, monthly, in print and e-mail

Seeks to develop cures for macular degeneration and to educate patients, professionals,  and the public about methods of prevention and treatment.

**Macular Degeneration Network**  Paul T. Finger, M.D., FACS  115 East 61st Street  New York, NY 10021  (212) 832-8170  pfinger@macular-degeneration.org  www.macular-degeneration.org/home.htm

Provides online information about macular degeneration and a list arranged  by country of physicians who have an interest in macular degeneration or are  known to care for patients with macular degeneration. Maintains two bulletin  boards: Heart 2 Heart for the public and Eye 2 Eye for physicians.

**Macular Degeneration Partnership**  8733 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 201  Los Angeles, CA 90048  888-430-9898  (310) 623-1837 fax  www.amd.org/site/PageServer

Principal publication: *e-Newsletter*, monthly, e-mail and online

Serves as an outreach program of the Discovery Eye Foundation. Provides information  on age-related macular degeneration to the public online and by telephone;  supports research; and coordinates advocacy efforts.

**MD Support (Macular Degeneration Support)**  3600 Blue Ridge Boulevard  Grandview, MO 64030  (816) 761-7080 telephone and fax  director@mdsupport.org  www.mdsupport.org/index.html

Offers information online for people dealing with macular degeneration and  similar retinal diseases, with links to lists of agencies and organizations,  eye diseases and conditions, eye care hospitals, and low-vision aids distributors.  Also includes links to a glossary of terms, literary contributions, sources  of reading materials in braille and large print and on audiocassette, and e-mail  lists. Maintains a national database of alternative transportation services  in the United States for individuals with vision impairment.

**National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse**  One Information Way  Bethesda, MD 20892-3560  800-860-8747  (703) 738-4929 fax  ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm  http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/index_sp.htm (in Spanish)

Principal publication: *Diabetes Dateline*, two issues per year

Responds to inquiries about diabetes, including its complications such as  eye problems, from people with diabetes and their families, health care professionals,  and the public. Distributes professional and patient education publications,  including factsheets, booklets, *The Diabetes Dictionary* in English and Spanish,  and Spanish-language materials.

**National Eye Institute**  National Institutes of Health  2020 Vision Place  Bethesda, MD 20892-3655  (301) 496-5248  2020@nei.nih.gov  www.nei.nih.gov  www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/index.asp (in Spanish)

Conducts and supports research on eye diseases and vision disorders. Offers  professional and public education programs that include a school curriculum  on vision for grades 4-8 and a traveling exhibit. Offers free publications.

**National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF)**  8733 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 201  Los Angeles, CA 90048  800-521-2524  info@nkcf.org  www.nkcf.org

Principal publication: *NKCF Newsletter*, three issues per year

Serves as an outreach program of the Discovery Eye Foundation. Increases the  awareness and understanding of keratoconus by providing information to patients,  their families, and eye care professionals; maintaining a patient registry  and physician referral; organizing support groups and an online discussion  group; and supporting scientific research.

**National Marfan Foundation**  22 Manhasset Avenue  Port Washington, NY 11050  (516) 883-8712  800-862-7326, ext. 10 (800-8-MARFAN)  (516) 883-8040 fax  staff@marfan.org  www.marfan.org

Principal publication: *Connective Issues*, quarterly

Provides information about Marfan syndrome and related disorders to patients,  family members, and the health care community; acts as a support network; and  fosters research.

**National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH)**  P.O. Box 959  East Hampstead, NH 03826-0959  (603) 887-2310  800-473-2310  800-648-2310 fax  webmaster@albinism.org www.albinism.org

Principal publication: *Albinism InSight*, quarterly

Offers information and support to individuals with albinism and related conditions  and their families through local chapters, an online community, and a national  conference. Educates the public and professionals about albinism and hypopigmentation  and encourages research on the causes and treatments of these metabolic disorders.  Vision problems, which result from abnormal development of the retina, define  the diagnosis of albinism.

**Research to Prevent Blindness**  645 Madison Avenue  New York, NY 10022-1010  (212) 752-4333  800-621-0026  (212) 688-6231 fax  info@rpbusa.org   www.rpbusa.org

Principal publication: *Eye Research News*, annual

Maintains an online research library searchable by author, title, keyword,  or visual disorder and an online practitioner directory searchable by name,  city, state, or specialty. Provides eye research grant support to scientific  institutions in the United States. Seeks to develop treatments and cures for  diseases of the visual system that damage and destroy sight.

**RP International**  P.O. Box 900  Woodland Hills, CA 91365  (818) 992-0500  (818) 992-3265 fax  info@rpinternational.org  www.rpinternational.org

Provides information on and seeks a cure for retinal degenerative diseases  such as retinitis pigmentosa. Raises money for research. Makes films accessible  to people who have a visual impairment through TheatreVision (www.theatrevision.org). 

**United States Eye Injury Registry (USEIR)**  American Society of Ocular Trauma  1201 11th Avenue South, Suite 300  Birmingham, AL 35205  (205) 933-0064  (205) 933-1341 fax  www.useironline.org

A federation of approximately forty state eye-injury registries that collect  data on all serious eye injuries occurring in the United States in a standardized  manner. Shares data through a common database.

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### Organizations that Provide Financial and Other Assistance

**Give the Gift of Sight Foundation**  Luxottica Retail   4000 Luxottica Place   Mason, OH 45040   (513) 765-6000  gos_info@luxotticaretail.com  www.givethegiftofsight.orgwww.givethegiftofsight.org/?language=Spanish

Principal publication: *Insight*, online

Provides free eye examinations and new eyewear to underprivileged individuals  in the United States and Canada. Works in partnership with Lions Clubs International  to offer free eye examinations and recycled   eyewear to underprivileged individuals in developing countries around the world  during a series of two-week missions.

**The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.**  1000 East State Parkway, Suite I  Schaumburg, IL 60173-4592  (847) 490-3838  (847) 490-3777 fax  ktefofc@ix.netcom.com  www.knightstemplar.org/ktef

Provides financial assistance to United States citizens without regard to  race, color, creed, age, sex, or national origin who face loss of sight and  are unable to procure necessary surgical treatment because of inadequate   income or inability to receive adequate assistance from other sources.    Requires a letter of assistance denial from a government or social agency.  Provides funds for research in curing eye diseases.

**New Eyes for the Needy**  549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332  Short Hills, NJ 07078  (973) 376-4903  (973) 376-3807 fax  www.neweyesfortheneedy.org

Provides vouchers for needy United States residents to obtain new prescription  eyeglasses. Sends reusable eyeglasses to medical missions and welfare agencies  overseas for distribution in developing nations.

**Sight for Students**  800-877-7195  888-290-4964 recorded information  (916) 858-5388 fax  sfsinfo@vsp.com  www.sightforstudents.org  https://www.vsp.com/member/htmls/spanish_home.jsp (in Spanish)

Serves as Vision Service Plan’s (VSP) national charity program. Provides  eye examinations and glasses to children eighteen years of age and younger  whose families cannot afford vision care. Operates through a network of community  partners who identify children in need and VSP network doctors who provide  the eye care services. 

**Unite for Sight**  31 Brookwood Drive  Newtown, CT 06470  jstaple@uniteforsight.org  www.uniteforsight.org

Implements vision screening and education programs in North America and in  developing countries. Connects patients in North America with free health-coverage  programs to receive an eye examination by a physician. Maintains an online  listing of clinics in the United States that provide free and low-cost health  services to the medically underserved and uninsured. Works in Africa and Asia  with partner eye clinics to implement screening and free surgery programs.  Organizes an annual international health conference to exchange ideas about  eye care and social innovation. 

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### Global Organizations

**AMD Alliance International**  1929 Bayview Avenue  Toronto, ON, Canada M4G 3E8  (416) 486-2500, extension 7505  877-263-7171 (877-AMD-7171) in United States and Canada  (416) 486-8574 fax  info@amdalliance.orgwww.amdalliance.org

Generates an understanding of available treatment options, rehabilitation,  and support services for individuals with age-related macular degeneration.  Has three regional councils that facilitate cooperation and exchange of information  among the Americas, Asia and the South Pacific, and Europe; South Africa; and  the Middle East. Publishes an educational brochure in English, French, German,  Italian, and Spanish.

**Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI)**  450 East Park Avenue  Greenville, SC 29601  (864) 239-0065  800-937-2264 (800-YES-CBMI)  (864) 239-0069 fax  info@cbmiusa.org  www.cbmiusa.org

Operates worldwide preventative, medical, rehabilitative, and educational  services to prevent and treat blindness and other disabilities. Supports more  than one thousand programs in 113 countries.

**FOCUS Families**  support_families@focusfamilies.org  www.focusfamilies.org

Principal publication: *Newsletter*

Provides information to individuals with optic nerve hypoplasia and septo-optic  dysplasia and their families and professionals. Hosts an e-mail support group.  Has divisions in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each division  has a link from the home page to its specific page with information about regional  FOCUS Families events.

**Helen Keller International**  352 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor  New York, NY 10010  (212) 532-0544  877-535-5374 (877-KELLER4)  (212) 532-6014 fax  info@hki.orgwww.hkworld.org

Works in developing countries to establish services for the prevention of  blindness, the restoration of sight, and the rehabilitation and education of  those persons whose vision cannot be restored. Has two major areas of expertise:  eye health programs that address the major causes of blindness in the world  identified as priority eye diseases by Vision 2020 and nutrition programs that  include food fortification, local food production, and school health education.  Offers publications online that can be searched by reports, topic, or region  and downloaded in PDF format.

**International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)**  IAPB Central Office  L.V. Prasad Eye Institute  L.V. Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills  Hyderabad, 500 034, INDIA  91-40-235-45-389  91-40-235-48-271 fax  IAPB@lvpei.org   www.iapb.org

Principal publication: *IAPB News*, three issues per year, online

Serves as a coordinating, umbrella organization whose members include the  International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the World Blind Union,  and international nongovernmental organizations that support global programs  for community eye care. Mobilizes resources for blindness prevention activities  such as disseminating ideas and information on successful approaches to eye  care delivery. Partners with the World Health Organization and other associations  in a global joint initiative, VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, www.v2020.org,  to eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide by the year 2020.

**International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment**  Kathleen M. Huebner, Regional Chairperson for North America and Caribbean Region  National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI)   Pennsylvania College of Optometry   8360 Old York Road   Elkins Park, PA 19027   (215) 780-1351 **and** (215) 780-1361  (215) 780-1357 fax  kathyh@pco.edu  www.icevi.org

Principal publication: *The Educator*, two issues per year, online; *ICEVI    E-News*,  two issues per year, online

Serves as a global multiregional association of individuals and organizations  that promotes equal access and full participation in education for children  and youth with visual impairment by changing public attitudes, encouraging  community participation, and facilitating the support of nongovernmental organizations.  Administered in seven regions: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, North  America-Caribbean, Pacific, and West Asia.

**International Eye Foundation**  10801 Connecticut Avenue  Kensington, MD 20895  (240) 290-0263  (240) 290-0269 fax  ief@iefusa.org and info@iefusa.org  www.iefusa.org

Principal publication: *Eye to Eye*, annual

Works to prevent and treat blindness and restore vision in the developing  world by improving staffing and administrative support in eye hospitals and  clinics, creating partnerships with local health organizations, and enhancing  management and medical skills at treatment facilities. Makes ophthalmic products  available at preferential prices and offers an online catalog for eye care  providers to request a quote for products intended for use outside of the United  States.

**International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)  Section of Libraries for the Blind**  Beatrice Christensen Sköld, Chair  Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille, TPB  SE-122 88 Enskede, Sweden  (46) (8) 399374  (46) (8) 6599457 fax  bea.christensen@tpb.se   www.ifla.org/VII/s31/index.htm

Principal publication: *Newsletter*, two issues per year, online and in braille

Promotes national and international cooperation in delivering accessible library  and information services to readers who are blind and visually impaired. Encourages  research and development to improve access to information for people with blindness  and other print disabilities. Acts as a forum for discussing topics such as  technical standards, standardization of special format materials, bibliographic  control, problems of copyright, and the identification of the locations of  special format collections.

**International Foundation for Optic Nerve Disease (IFOND)**  P.O. Box 777  Cornwall, NY 12518(845) 534-7250 telephone and fax  ifond@aol.com  www.ifond.org

Promotes research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of optic nerve  disease. Has links to online information about optic nerve disease.

**International Society for Eye Research (ISER)**  P.O. Box 193940  San Francisco, CA 94119  (415) 561-8569  mail@iser.org  www.iser.org

Principal publication: *Experimental Eye Research*, monthly

Works to support and foster eye research throughout the world by enhancing  international communication and collaboration, by providing a forum for dissemination  of information among eye researchers, and by developing and sustaining the  skills and resources of the eye research community.

**Sightsavers International**  Grosvenor Hall  Bolnore Road  Haywards Heath  West Sussex, RH16 4BX, United Kingdom  01444 446600  01444 446688 fax  info@sightsavers.org.  www.sightsavers.org.uk

Principal publication: *Horizons*, quarterly

Plans and supports a range of eye care services in developing countries, offers  outreach programs for rural areas, and promotes the integration of children  who have a visual impairment into mainstream schools. Provides education, counseling,  and training to blind persons.

**Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International, Inc.**  7200 Hollister Avenue, Unit A  Goleta, CA 93117-2807  (805) 963-3303  (800) 208-6733 (800-20-TO-SEE)  (805) 965-3564 fax  seeintl@seeintl.org  www.seeintl.org

Provides medical, surgical, and educational services by volunteer ophthalmic  surgeons with the primary objective of restoring sight to individuals who are  blind and disadvantaged worldwide.

**World Blind Union**  (Union Mondiale des Aveugles)  Secretary General  C/Almansa 66  28039 Madrid, Spain  (34) 91 436 53 66  (34) 91 589 47 49 fax  umc@once.es  www.worldblindunion.org (in English, French, and Spanish)

Principal publications: *The Voice of the WBU, WBU Newsletter*

Serves as a nonpolitical, nongovernmental coalition of representatives from  various associations for people who are blind and visually impaired and from  agencies providing services to them. Has members in 160 countries in six regions:  Africa, Asia and the Middle East, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin  America, and North America and the Caribbean. Works for the prevention and  treatment of blindness, promotes the equal societal participation of people  who are blind or visually impaired, and serves as an international forum for  the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of blindness.

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### Selected Bibliography

Adjusting to low vision and common disorders of the eye. Baltimore, MD:   National Federation of the Blind, n.d. 22p. Free. Also available online at www.nfb.org/nfb/low_vision_lit_list.asp?SnID=837398576.

All about vision. Retrieved Sept. 21, 2006. www.allaboutvision.com.

American Foundation for the Blind. Braille bug site. Retrieved Aug. 29,  2006. www.afb.org/braillebug.

American Foundation for the Blind. Helen Keller Kids Museum Online.   Retrieved Mar. 8, 2007. www.afb.org/braillebug/hkmuseum.asp.

American Foundation for the Blind. AFB directory of services for blind and   visually impaired persons in the United States and Canada. 27th ed. New York,    2005. 772p. $39.95 online subscription; $79.95 paperback with one-year online    subscription. (AFB Press, Customer Service, P.O. Box 1020, Sewickley, PA    15143).

American Foundation for the Blind. AFB senior site. Retrieved May 8,   2007. www.afb.org/seniorsitehome.asp.

American Printing House for the Blind. Louis database of accessible   materials and APH file repository. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. www.aph.org/louis/index.html.

Association of Vision Science Librarians. Eye resources on the Internet.   Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/websites/eyeres.  htm.

Bacon, Debbie. Hands-on parenting: a resource guide for parents who are   blind or partially sighted. Berkeley, CA: Through the Looking Glass, 2006.    212p. $40. (2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100, 94710-2204).

Blindness resource center. Retrieved Sept. 6, 2006. www.nyise.org/blind.htm.

BLIST: the comprehensive index of blindness-related e-mailing lists.   Retrieved Dec. 20, 2005. www.hicom.net/~oedipus/blist.html.

Brady, Frank B. A singular view: the art of seeing with one eye. Revised 6th  ed. Vienna, VA: Michael O. Hughes Publisher, 2004. 129p. (307B Maple Avenue  West, 22180).

Braille: into the next millennium. Washington: National Library Service for   the Blind and Physically Handicapped and Friends of Libraries for Blind and    Physically Handicapped Individuals in North America, 2000. 600p. Free.

Braille on the Internet. Retrieved Dec. 20, 2006. www.nyise.org/braille.htm.

Cassin, Barbara, edited by Melvin L. Rubin. Dictionary of eye terminology.   5th ed. Gainesville, FL: Triad Publishing Co., 2006. 288p. $29.95. (P.O. Box    13355, 32604).

Chang, David F., and Howard Gimbel. Cataracts: a patient’s guide to   treatment. Omaha, NE: Addicus Books, 2004. 124p. (P.O. Box 45327, 68145).

Children’s vision information network. Retrieved May 9, 2007.   www.childrensvision.com.

The complete directory of large-print books and serials. New Providence,   NJ: R.R. Bowker. Annual.

Cylke, Frank Kurt, and Judith M. Dixon, managing eds. International   directory of tactile map collections. The Hague: Section of Libraries for the    Blind, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions;    and Washington: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,    Library of Congress, 1985. 19p.

Cylke, Frank Kurt, Judith M. Dixon, and Michael M. Moodie. The National   Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.  Alexandria, v. 12, no. 2, 2000: 81-98.

Cylke, Frank Kurt, Michael M. Moodie,      and Robert E. Fistick. Serving the   blind and physically handicapped in the United States of America. Librarytrends, v. 55, spring 2007: 796-808.

Duffy, Maureen A., ed. Making life more livable: simple adaptations for   living at home after vision loss. New York: AFB Press, 2002. 132p. $24.95.    Available in paperback, text diskette, and cassette.

Eye disease information and resources. Retrieved Oct. 3. 2006.   www.schepens.harvard.edu/eye_disease_info.htm.

Gill, J.M., N. Muthiah, J.H. Silver, and E.S. Gould. Equipment for blind and  partially sighted persons: an international guide. London, England: Royal National  Institute for the Blind, 1997. Various pagings.

Holbrook, M. Cay, ed. Children with visual impairments: a parents’ guide.   2d ed. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2006. 434p.

If blindness occurs. Morristown, NJ: The Seeing Eye, 2004. 24p. Single  copy free. (P.O. Box 375, 07963-0375).

Jahoda, Gerald. How do I do this when I can’t see what I’m doing?   Information processing for the visually disabled. Washington: National Library    Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1993. 98p. Free.

King, Sue, ed. International agencies for blind and partially sighted people.   London, England: Royal National Institute for the Blind, 1997. 395p. Also available    online at info.rnib.org.uk/Agencies/Agencies.htm.

Ledford, Janice K., and Joseph Hoffman, ed. Quick reference dictionary of   eyecare terminology. 4th ed. Thorofare, NJ: Slack Inc., 2004. 424p. Available    in print, CD-ROM, and PDA download software. (6900 Grove Road, 08086).

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Current strategic business plan for the implementation of digital    systems. Washington, 2006. 57p. Free. Also available online at www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/businessplan2006.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Reference Section. Braille embossers. Compiled by Carol Strauss.    Washington: 2000. 12p. Free. Also available online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/brailleembossers.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Reference Section. Building a library collection on visual and    physical disabilities: basic materials and resources. Compiled by Carol Strauss.    Washington: 1999. 45p. Free. Also available online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/collection.txt.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Reference Section. Library resources for the blind and physically    handicapped. A directory with statistics on readership, circulation, budget,    staff, and collections. Washington. Annual. Free. Also available online at    www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/resources. html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Reference Section. Reading materials in large print: a resource    guide. Compiled by Carol Strauss. Washington: 2005. 30p. Free. Also available    online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/largeprint.html.

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Reference Section. Sources of braille reading materials. Compiled    by Carol Strauss. Washington: 2007. Free. Also available online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/circulars/braillesources.html. 

Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically   Handicapped. Sources of custom-produced books: braille, audio recordings, and    large print. Compiled by Freddie Peaco. Washington: 2001. 103p. Free. Also  available online at www.loc.gov/nls/reference/directories/sources.html.

 Library Reproduction Service. Large print catalog. Los Angeles: 2006.  Section I: 95p and Section II: 42p. Also available online at www.lrs-largeprint.com.

Living with low vision: a resource guide for people with sight loss. 7th ed.   Winchester, MA: Resources for Rehabilitation, 2005. 271p.

The low vision gateway. Retrieved December 12, 2006.   www.lowvision.org.

MedlinePlus. Vision impairment and blindness. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006.   www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/visionimpairmentandblindness.html.

Mirsky, Stanley, and Joan Rattner Heilman. Diabetes survival guide:   understanding the facts about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. New York:    Random House Publishing Group, 2006. 272p. $14.95.

Mississippi State University. Information and Resource Referral Project.   Blindness information links. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/blind.html.

Mississippi State University. Information and Resource Referral Project.   Information about low vision. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/ialowvision.html.

Mississippi State University. Information and Resource Referral Project.   Information on specific eye diseases. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/diseases.html.

Mississippi State University. Information and Resource Referral Project.   Special education links. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2006. www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/special.html.

Mogk, Lylas G., and Marja Mogk. Macular degeneration: the complete   guide to saving and maximizing your sight. Rev. and updated. New York: Random    House Publishing Group, 2003. 455p. $15.95.

Nail-Chiwetalu, Barbara. Guidelines for accessing alternative format   educational materials. May 1, 1999. 12p. Available free from the National Library    Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Reference Section, and    online at www.loc.gov/nls/other/guidelines.html.

National Eye Health Education and Awareness Campaign. Am eye healthy? Retrieved  Feb. 20, 2007. www.ameyehealthy.info/index.jsp.

National Eye Health Education Program. Diabetic eye disease: an educator’s  guide. Pub No. EY-216. Also available in Spanish: Enfermedad diabética  del ojo: una guía para el educador, EY-216S. NIH publication no. 2642.  Bethesda, MD, 2005. Single copy free. Also available online at catalog.nei.nih.gov/productcart/pc/viewCat_L.asp?idCategory=31.

National Eye Institute. Eye health organizations database. Retrieved Aug.   29, 2006. www.nei.nih.gov/health/resourceSearch.asp.

National Eye Institute. The eye site: low vision resources. Retrieved Aug.   29, 2006. www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/eyesite/resources/index.asp.

National Eye Institute. Health information. Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006.   www.nei.nih.gov/health.

National Eye Institute. Información de salud en español. (Health   information in Spanish). Retrieved Aug. 29, 2006. www.nei.nih.gov/health/espanol/index.asp.

Nomura, Misako, and Mayu Yamada, eds. International directory of   libraries for the blind. 4th ed. IFLA Publications, no. 90. Müchen: K.G.  Saur, 2000. 252p. Also available online at http://ifla.jsrpd.jp.

Orr, Alberta L., and Priscilla Rogers. Solutions for success: a training   manual for working with older people who are visually impaired. New York: AFB    Press, 2003. 193p.

Prine, Stephen, and George F. Thuronyi. The National Library Service for   the Blind and Physically Handicapped. In Encyclopedia of the Library of Congress:    for Congress, the nation, and the world. Washington: Library of Congress    in association with Bernan Press, 2004. p. 39-43.

Roberts, Daniel L. The first year: age-related macular degeneration: an   essential guide for the newly diagnosed. New York: Marlowe & Company, 2006.  330p. $15.95.

Sardegna, Jill, and others. The encyclopedia of blindness and vision   impairment. 2d ed. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2002. 333p. (132 West 31st    Street, 10001).

Sardegna, Jill, and others. Living with vision problems: the sourcebook for   blindness and vision impairment. New York: Checkmark Books, 2002. 344p. (132    West 31st Street, 10001).

Sight loss solutions. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2006. http://sightlosssolutions.org.

Sources for blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled persons. Los   Angeles, CA: Braille Institute, Library Services, 2003. 75p. Retrieved Dec.    12, 2006. www.braillelibrary.org/PDFs/Sources_for_the_Visually_ Impaired.pdf.

Stanford Health Library. Eye diseases. Retrieved May 9, 2007.   http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/resources/internet/bodysystems/eye_  vision.html.

Straightforward answers about blindness. Baltimore, MD: National   Federation of the Blind, n.d. 9p. Free. Also available online at www.nfb.org/nfb/philosophy_lit_list.asp?SnID=837398576.

Sussman-Skalka, Carol J. When your partner becomes visually impaired...   helpful insights and tips for coping. New York: Lighthouse International, 2002.    24p.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Retrieved May 8, 2007.   www.tsbvi.edu.

Thorin, Suzanne E., comp. and ed. Revised and updated by Shirley Piper   Emanuel. International directory of braille music collections. Washington:    National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1987.    41p.

Tuttle, Dean W., and Naomi R. Tuttle. Self-esteem and adjusting with   blindness: the process of responding to life’s demands. 3d ed. Springfield,  IL: Charles C Thomas, 2004. 305p.

V.I. guide, a guide to Internet resources about visual impairments, for   parents and teachers. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2006. www.viguide.com.

VisionAWARE: self-help for vision loss. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2006.   www.visionaware.org.

Vision health. Retrieved Mar. 8, 2007. www.lighthouse.org/medical.

Vision public information network. Retrieved Mar. 8, 2007.   www.visionnetwork.nei.nih.gov.

Walhof, Ramona. New approaches to consider: suggestions for individuals  with recent vision loss. Baltimore, MD: National Federation of the Blind, 2006.    12p. Free. Also available online at www.nfb.org/nfb/low_vision_ lit_list.asp?SnID=837398576.

World braille usage. Rev. ed. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific   and Cultural Organization and Washington: National Library Service for the    Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1990. 124p. Available free from UNESCO,    7 Place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris, France.

Revised by  Carol Strauss  Reference Section  2007

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Posted on  2011-04-18