American Foundation for the Blind https://www.afb.org P: 202-469-6831 Another site for resources- local/career/technology etc.
Eye Care America https://www.aao.org/eyecare-america 877-887-6327 8am-noon, Mon–Fri (Pacific Time)
Qualifications: To determine qualifications for a SEP referral call 800.222.EYES (3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
To be eligible, the patient must: Be US citizen or legal resident, age 65 or older, have not seen an ophthalmologist in at least three years cannot belong to an HM0 or receive benefits through Veterans Administration. One of the country’s leading public service programs - provides eye care through a pool of nearly 6,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. Ninety percent of the care provided is at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.
Program #1: The Seniors program connects eligible seniors 65 and older with local volunteer ophthalmologists who provide a medical eye exam at no out-of-pocket cost, and up to one year of follow up care for any condition diagnosed during the initial exam, for the physician services.
Program #2: The Glaucoma program provides a glaucoma eye exam at no cost to those who are eligible and uninsured. Those who are eligible, and insured are billed normal office procedure, and responsible for any co-payments. (This is an awareness program to provide a baseline glaucoma eye exam to those who may not be aware they are at increased risk).
iCanConnect http://www.icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/maryland National program with local contacts to help people stay connected with friends, family, their community, and the world. iCanConnect provides free equipment and training to people with both significant vision and hearing loss who meet disability and income guidelines.
Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) http://www.learningally.org/ provides information on over 80,000 recorded textbooks and other classroom materials, from 4th grade through postgraduate levels, available for loan. Individuals with learning disabilities are eligible to participate but must complete the certification requirements.
New Eyes for the Needy https://www.new-eyes.org 973-376-4903
Individuals cannot apply for themselves. The online application is only accessible to social service agencies who apply on their clients’ behalf. New Eyes provides a basic pair of single or lined bifocal lenses. Special requests including upgrades such as tinted, progressive or Transition lenses are beyond the scope of New Eyes' program. A New Eyes voucher is for individuals who have no other resources with which to obtain a basic pair of eyeglasses. Applicants must have an eye exam including their pupillary distance (PD) measurement before applying.
National Federation of the Blind: Baltimore, Maryland Headquarters https://www.nfb.org/ Phone 1-866-504-7300 “What We Do: Through our network of blind members, we coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.”
Cool Tools: Those who cannot read regular newsprint can now, at no charge, access daily newspapers and magazines using a toll-free centralized call-in center which provides service without delay to any subscriber. On NFB-NEWSLINE®, the user can easily choose which newspaper, section, and article to read using a standard touch-tone telephone. The federation also maintains an extensive literature collection on many subjects, large print and audio cassettes free of charge.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children: Baltimore, Maryland Headquarters
(A Division of the National Federation of the Blind) https://nopbc.org/
Maryland Contact: Melissa Riccobono, President, Maryland Parents of Blind Children 443-803-0266
Find out more by watching the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/gN0eaygOrXA
“Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children is a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement, and information. We have over 3,000 members in all 50 states and divisions and parent contacts in about 30 states plus Puerto Rico.”
Foundation for Fighting Blindness: Columbia, Maryland http://www.blindness.org/ and http://www.blindness.org/related-links
7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046
Guide Dogs: multiple resources including information on guide dogs 410-568-0150 or l-800-683-5555
Offers information and referral services for affected individuals and their families as well as doctors and eye care professionals. Provides comprehensive information kits on Retinitis Pigmentosa, Macular Degeneration, and Usher Syndrome. The Foundation’s newsletter, In Focus published 3 times a year and presents articles on coping research updates, and Foundation news.
