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Adaptive Aids and Devices for Daily Living
There are an estimated half million persons in the United States who are legally blind and at least another two million whose vision is seriously impaired. Fortunately, most of these persons are not totally blind and whatever vision they have often can be improved by various kinds of vision aids. Vision aids fall into two general categories, optical and adaptive. Optical aids magnify the objects being viewed. Some optical aids increase illumination of material being viewed by taking better advantage of natural light or by using high intensity artificial lighting. Adaptive aids modify objects or the environment for easier use by people with sight loss. Some of these aids are very expensive. It is always best, whenever possible, to try any aid before purchasing it. A device that helps one person may not help you at all, and, conversely, you may be helped by an aid that someone else finds useless. There are many places where you can purchase adaptive and optical aids. Opticians and eye doctors can provide you with vision aids or direct you to places where they can be purchased. A few of the organizations that specialize in different types of aids are listed below. Some sell white canes (see also Catalogs for purchase of white canes).
Ability Hub, Assistive Technology Solutions
P.O. Box 6356, Rutland VT 05702-6356,
Telephone: 802-775 1993 Fax: (802) 773 1604
Website: http://www.abilityhub.com
Email: info@abilityhub.com
Assistive Technology for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult. This web site is a guide to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers.
California Canes
16267 Walnut St, Hesperia CA 9235,
Telephone: (866) 332-4883
Website: http://www.californiacanes.com
Email: california.canes@gmail.com
Graphite canes, 2/3 lighter than aluminum. Epoxy-paint finish and not tape. Beveled joints as to not cut cord. Catalog available.
Department of Motor Vehicles
Telephone: (800) 777-0133
Website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr_info.htm#BM2516
With a certifying letter from your doctor, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a visually handicapped person a handicapped parking placardthat is transferable from vehicle to vehicle if the person with sight loss is passenger. It is usable in specially marked handicapped parking spaces will enable you to park free at parking meters. It must be renewed every two years, and there is a stiff penalty for misuse such as loaning to friends. Call your local DMV office for information, or go to the website. To the left is a link for special plates.
Earle Baum Center of the Blind
4539 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa CA 95401,
Telephone: (707) 523-3222 Fax: (707) 636-2768
Website: http://www.earlebaum.org
Email: ebc@earlebaum.org
Free / Low Income
The mission of the Earle Baum Center of the Blind is to provide opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to improve and enrich their personal, social and economic lives. Services and programs include living skils training, O & M, technology training and numerous recreational programs.
Enabling Technologies
1601 NE Braille Place, Jensen Beach FL 34957,
Telephone: (772) 225-3687 Fax: (772) 225-3299
Website: http://www.brailler.com
Email: enabling@brailler.com
Manufactures, designs, and supports braille printers.
Eyecare America
Eyecare America, Glaucoma Project
P.O. Box 429098, San Francisco CA 94142-9098,
Telephone: (415) 447-0381
Website: http://www.eyecareamerica.org
Email: pubserv@aao.org
Free / Low Income
Free brochures, Interactive videos, Help finding fssistance with medications. Glaucoma Project: Individuals calling the line who are at risk for glaucoma, and who have not had an eye exam within the previous two years, will receive a referral to a volunteer ophthalmologist in their area; uninsured individuals at risk for glaucoma are provided a free examination and treatment, when necessary, for glaucoma.
Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group
11800 - 31st Court North, St. Petersburg FL 33716,
Telephone: (800) 444-4443 Fax: (813) 803-8001
Website: http://www.freedomscientific.com
Email: info@hj.com
Assistive technology for people with visual problems includes screen reading software, braille embossers & displays, and many other products.
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Adaptions
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco CA 94102,
Telephone: (415) 431-1481 Fax: (415) 863-7568
TTY/TDD: (415) 431-4572
Website: http://www.adaptionsonline.com
Email: adaptations@lighthouse-sf.org
Free / Low Income
The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides solutions for individuals living with vision loss through rehabilitation training, advocacy and access to information. Services include the Vision Loss Resource Center for questions and information about blindness and vision loss; low vision examinations are available on site; rehabilitation specialists teach strategies for reading print, orientation and mobility, technology training, transitional counseling, life long education, and traditional camping opportunities are adapted for blind and visually impaired campers at the Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa. Adaptations carries an immense variety of optical and adaptive aides including everything from cooking aides and talking watches to video magnifiers and adaptive software programs such as JAWS and ZoomText. Volunteers read time-sensitive printed materials in daily radio broadcasts, also available on the internet. Personal Services Volunteers assist individuals living with vision loss in their home and in the community.
Lighthouse of the North Coast
Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2830 G Street, Suite #B-1, Eureka CA 95501,
Telephone: (707) 268-5646 Fax: (707) 268-5647
TTY/TDD: (707) 268-5655
Website: http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/northcoast
Email: northcoastinfo@lighthouse-sf.org
Free / Low Income
Provides services people with vision loss in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Services include information and referrals, independent mobility assessments and instruction, daily living skills, workshops, magnification demonstrations, telephone support groups and assistive technology assessments and training.
MONS International, Inc.
6595 Roswell Road, #224, Atlanta GA 30328,
Telephone: (800) 541-7903
Website: http://www.magnifiers.com
Email: mons@negia.net
Portable closed circuit TV's for magnification, binoculars, many types of magnifiers.
National Eye Care Project
P.O. Box 429098, San Francisco CA 94142-9098,
Telephone: (877) 887-6327 Fax: (415) 561-8567
Website: http://www.aao.org
A person 65 or older, a citizen or legal resident of the United States, who does not have access to an ophthalmologist may call for assistance. The caller will be matched with a nearby ophthalmologist who has volunteered to provide medical eye care to the disadvantaged elderly at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Eyeglasses, prescription drugs, and hospital care not covered.
Sacramento Society for the Blind - Visual Services Center
2750 - 24th Street, Sacramento CA 95818,
Telephone: (916) 452-8271 Fax: (916) 452-2622.
Website: http://www.societyfortheblind.org
Email: lowvisionclinic@societyfortheblind.org
Instructional Programs, Low Vision Clinic, Senior Programs, Youth Programs, Access News by Phone, and Career Development Programs.
Science Products
Box 888, Southeastern PA 19399,
Telephone: (800) 888-7400 Fax: (610) 296-0488
Website: http://www.captek.net
Sells a number of low vision aids including CAPTEK voice readout blood glucose and blood pressure monitors. Magnifyers, large print, childrens sensory books and toys.
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, 2318 Fillmore St., San Francisco CA 94115,
Telephone: (415) 345-2000 Fax: (415) 345-8455
Website: http://www.ski.org
Email: bilge@ski.org
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, a nonprofit independent research institute, is located at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Its main interests are: Clinical studies which relate directly to the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. The development of devices and vocational programs to aid the partially sighted, blind and hearing impaired - the major focus of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center (RERC). Basic research to understand how the eye and brain work, providing a fundamental background for both the clinical and rehabilitation programs.
Society for the Blind Inc.- Low Vision Clinic
Sacramento Society for the Blind, 2750 - 24th Street, Sacramento CA 95818,
Telephone: (916) 452-8271 Fax: (916) 452-2622
Website: http://www.societyfortheblind.org
Email: info@societyfortheblind.org
Free / Low Income
Youth, senior and career development programs, support groups, training in daily living skills, orientation and mobility, braille and adaptive computer skills. Low vision exams, sale of low vision devices, training on low vision technology.
Vision Anew
301 Shelter Cove Dr, Half Moon Bay CA 94019,
Telephone: (800) 355-0428 Fax: (650) 563-9090
Website: http://www.visionanew.com
Email: visionanew@earthlink.net
Vision Anew offers comprehensive array pre-owned Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) systems from most of the major suppliers such as Telensory, Clarity and Optelec. Our systems are reconditioned and covered under a replacement warranties and have a lifetime buyback program. We also have a variety of rental programs including option to purchase. All of our systems are reasonably priced
Vision Rehab, Inc.
19950 South Governors Highway, Olympia Fields IL
Telephone: 800) 748-3797 Fax: (708) 481-4852
Website: http://www.sightsystems.com
Email: kmalsch656@aol.com
Closed circuit TV systems, adaptive aids, etc.
Walters Low Vision Optics
30423 Canwood Street, Suite 115, Agoura Hills CA 91301,
Telephone: (800) 992-5837 Fax: 888-549-1843
Website: http://www.walterslowvision.com
Email: walterslv@cs.com
Sells magnifiers, close focusing monoculars, binoculars, accessories, and the Seewell Closed Circuit TV. Catalog available.