Helpful Organizations

On this page, you will find information on:

Eye Care Professional Organizations
General Information, Resources and Referrals
Federal Government Programs and Services
State and Local Resources
Senior Housing
Legal Assistance
Low Vision Aid Resources
Low Vision Organizations
Print and Audio Materials for the Visually Impaired
Clinical Trials

Eye Care Professional Organizations

American Academy of Ophthalmology
Search for ophthalmologists and eye specialists by state and locality. Also links to www.geteyesmart.com which includes information on eye health and other eye-related topics.
www.aao.org

American Optometric Association
Provides contact information for state optometry associations which can in turn help locate an optometrist.
www.aoa.org
314-991-4100 or 1-800-365-2219

General Information, Resources and Referrals

National Glaucoma Research, a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation
Funds research and educates the public about glaucoma.
www.ahaf.org
1-800-437-2423

Alliance for Aging Research
Provides information on age-related medical discoveries and health topics.
www.agingresearch.org
202-293-2856

American Association of Retired Persons
Membership organization for people over 50; informative website.
www.aarp.org
1-888-687-2277 (1-888 OUR AARP)

American Federation for Aging Research
Offers information on healthy lifestyles, age-related conditions, and diseases and biology of aging.
www.infoaging.org
212-703-9977 or 1-888-582-2327

Eye on Nutrition™
Developed by American Optometric Association and Vitamin and Nutraceutical Service to provide information about nutrition and other risk factors for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration; includes online dietary assessment quiz and nutrition information.
www.transceiver.com/eye/

Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation
Supports the activities of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus; provides free, local diagnostic screenings for glaucoma (and other eye diseases) for those at high risk of glaucoma.
www.glaucomacongress.org
516-327-2236 or 877-611-4232

Meals on Wheels
Provides information on local meal delivery and congregate meals for seniors.
www.mealcall.org

MedicAlert Foundation International
Offers emblems and chains engraved with the person’s membership number, primary medical conditions and the toll-free 24-hour Emergency Response Center number. MedicAlert allows the person to be identified, and can relay key medical facts and notify family contacts.
www.medicalert.org
1-888-633-4298
209-668-3333 (from outside the U.S.)

National Association of Geriatric Care Managers
Health and human services specialists who help families care for older relatives while encouraging as much independence as possible. Use the online database to find a geriatric care manager.
www.caremanager.org
520-881-8008

National Council on Aging
Provides information on healthy aging, maintaining independence and government and private benefits programs; includes news updates of interest to seniors.
www.ncoa.org
202-479-1200

Senior Citizens Bureau
Provides information for seniors on government programs, counseling, housing, etc.; includes an online state-by-state directory for many services.
www.seniorcitizensbureau.com
1-888-801-2497 (Elder Info Line, 24-hour hotline)

Federal Government Programs and Services

Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
A starting point for information on aging for elders and families.
www.aoa.gov
202-619-0724

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Offer latest information and resources on Medicare and Medicaid.
www.cms.hhs.gov
1-800-633-4227

DisabilityInfo.gov
Twenty-two federal government agencies are involved in this online database that connects those with disabilities to information and resources needed to participate in the workforce and community life, including benefits, civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, technology and transportation.
www.disabilityinfo.gov
1-800-333-4636 (1-800-FED-INFO)

Eldercare Locator
Website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides resource information for older adults in any U.S. community; referrals to state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve many elder care needs; English and Spanish speaking information specialists.
www.eldercare.gov
1-800-677-1116

GovBenefits.gov
A partnership of federal agencies that provides access to government assistance programs.
www.govbenefits.gov
(1-800-FED-INFO) 1-800-333-4636

Healthfinder.gov
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this website provides healthcare information and access to other online sources.
www.healthfinder.gov

Medicaid
Program funded by federal and state governments to assist those who do not have the resources to pay for healthcare. Check the phonebook or online by state.

Medicare
Federal program that pays for certain healthcare expenses. Call 24:7 for assistance; English and Spanish-speaking customer service.
www.medicare.gov
1-800-633-4227

National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Supports eye disease and vision research; develops public and professional education programs to help prevent blindness, reduce visual impairment, and increase awareness of low vision services and devices.
www.nei.nih.gov
301-496-5248

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health
Conducts and supports biomedical, social and behavioral research and public education to promote healthy aging. Website has database with information on over 250 national organizations that help older people.
www.nia.nih.gov
www.seniorhealth.gov (general information)
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/ResourceDirectory.htm (database)
301-496-1752; TTY 1-800-222-4225

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The Library of Congress provides free Braille and recorded materials; loans record and cassette players to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries. Books and magazines in recorded form (talking books) or in Braille are delivered and returned by postage-free mail.
www.loc.gov/nls/
202-707-5100 or 1-800-424-8567

Social Security Administration
Provides some financial assistance to those who are legally blind or who have vision problems that prevent them from employment.
www.ssa.gov
1-800-772-1213

State and Local Resources

Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, etc.) are the first source of information for those facing health issues.

State and Area Agencies on Aging
Each state and territory in the U.S. has an Agency on Aging office located in its capital city, as well as local offices. Check the phone book or online by state and area. They provide information on nutrition and support services, elder rights programs, long term care, ombudsman programs, legal services, outreach and elder abuse prevention.

State Departments of Health and Social Services
Each state in the U.S. has these departments, as well as local offices. They can provide information on support and respite services, facilities, financial assistance, and regulations and licensing. Check the phone book or online by state and locality.

Senior Housing

American Association for Homes and Services for the Aging
Provides information about and contains a directory of services and care facilities for elders.
www.aahsa.org

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
Offers advice on finding an accredited rehabilitation facility.
www.carf.org
1-888-281-6531

Helpguide.org
“Senior Housing and Care” section of website provides information on long-term care and housing options.
www.helpguide.org

My Guide for Seniors™
Includes a senior housing guide.
www.myguideforseniors.com
1-800-851-4511

MyZiva.net®
The Complete Nursing Home Guide
Provides information on finding, selecting and paying for nursing homes.
www.myziva.net

seniorDECISION.com
Offers a list of home healthcare and senior housing options by state and area with consumer ratings and reviews.
www.seniordecision.com

SNAPforSeniors™
Provides a senior housing options guide.
www.snapforseniors.com
1-888-651-7627

Legal Assistance

American Bar Association and state bar associations
Provides information to help find legal assistance and locate lawyers. Part of the website deals specifically with legal issues of aging.
www.abanet.org
www.abanet.org/aging/home.html
1-800-285-2221

ElderLawAnswers.com
Find an attorney, resources and information on financial and legal issues of aging.
www.elderlawanswers.com
1-866-267-0947

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Use the database to find an elder law attorney in the private or public sector who deals with legal issues affecting the elderly and disabled.
www.naela.com
520-881-4005

Low Vision Aid Resources

ABLEDATA
Provides information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment from domestic and international sources.
8630 Fenton St., Suite 930
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Toll-free: 1-800-227-0216
www.abledata.com

Ai Squared
Develops computer access software for the visually impaired.
P.O. Box 669
Manchester Center, VT 05255
Phone: (802) 362-3612
Toll-free: 1-800-859-0270
www.aisquared.com

Beyond Sight
Offers a wide variety of items for the visually impaired, including computers, talking clocks, kitchen items, magnifying glasses and closed circuit TVs.
5650 South Windermere St.
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (303) 795-6455
www.beyondsight.com

Bossert Specialties, Inc.
Offers magnifiers and other low vision aids.
5130 N. 19th Ave., Suite 7
Phoenix, AZ 85015
Phone: (602) 956-6637
Toll-free: 1-800-776-5885
www.wemagnify.com

The Braille Institute of America
Offers an online low vision products catalog called Vistas.
Toll-free: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)
www.brailleinstitute.org

Enhanced Vision Systems
Offers a full line of vision tools and magnifiers.
5882 Machine Dr.
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
(714) 374-1829
Toll-free: 1-888-811-3161
www.enhancedvision.com

Freedom Scientific
Provides assistive and adaptive low vision technology including portable and desktop video magnifiers, and magnification and screen reading software.
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1805
(727) 803-8000
Toll-free: 1- 877-775-9474
www.low-vision-help.com

G. W. Micro
Offers software and hardware solutions for the blind and visually impaired.
725 Airport N. Office Park
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: (260) 489-3671
www.gwmicro.com

HumanWare
Designs and manufactures technology solutions for the visually impaired including the SmartView™ video magnifier.
175 Mason Cir.
Concord, CA 94520
Phone: (925) 680-7100
Toll-free: 1-800-722-3393
www.pulsedata.com

Independent Living Aids, Inc.
Offers a catalog of low vision products.
P.O. Box 9022
Hicksville, NY 11802
Phone: (516) 937-1848
Toll-free: 1-800-537-2118
www.independentliving.com

Innoventions, Inc.
Created and offers the Magni-Cam™ electronic magnifier.
9593 Corsair Dr.
Conifer, CO 80433-9317
Phone: (303) 797-6554
Toll-free: 1-800-854-6554
www.magnicam.com

J. Bliss Imaging Systems
Offers computer programs and applications for the visually impaired.
P.O. Box 7382
Menlo Park, CA 94026
Phone: (650) 327-5477
Toll-free: 1-888-452-5477 (or 888-4JBLISS)
www.jbliss.com

LS&S
Offers a catalog of both low vision and hearing impaired products.
P.O. Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
Toll-free: 1-800-468-4789
www.lssgroup.com

Maxi Aids
Offers a catalog of low vision devices.
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Toll-free: 1-800-522-6294
www.maxiaids.com

MONS International, Inc.
Offers products for the visually impaired, including Braille watches, talking calculators, 4-track recorders, kitchen aids, writing guides, computer software and accessories, greeting cards and talking scales.
6595 Roswell Rd., NE #224
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (770) 551-8455
Toll-free: 1-800-541-7903
www.magnifiers.com

Ocutech, Inc.
Offers various types of magnifier attachments to enhance the vision of the partially sighted; produces the VES AutoFocus telescope.
109 Conner Dr., #2105
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 967-6460
Toll-free: 1-800-326-6460
www.ocutech.com

OVAC
Offers a complete line of closed circuit TV products for the visually impaired.
67-555 E. Palm Canyon
Bldg. C-103
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Toll-free: 1-800-325-4488
www.ovac.com

Telesensory
Offers products for video magnification and speech output.
650 Vaqueros Avenue, Suite F
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Toll-free: 1-800-804-8004
www.telesensory.com

Vision Cue
Offers Braille, low vision and speech products from a variety of manufacturers.
4858-A SW Scholls Ferry Rd.
Portland, OR 97225
Toll-free: 1-888-318-2582
www.visioncue.com

Low Vision Organizations

Low Vision Rehabilitation Centers
Ophthalmologists or local hospitals can help locate low vision rehabilitation centers. These centers evaluate and train those with low vision, and offer devices and services.

American Council of the Blind
Provides a wide variety of services to visually impaired persons with an emphasis on employment opportunities.
1155 15th St., NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 467-5081
Toll-free: 1-800-424-8666
www.acb.org

Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
An association of those engaged in the education, guidance, vocational rehabilitation or occupational placement of the blind and partially-sighted. The organization conducts certification programs, maintains job exchange services and works with local, state, and national governments on legislation affecting services to the blind and visually impaired.
1703 North Beauregard St., Suite 440
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: (703) 671-4500
Toll-free: 1-877-492-2708
www.aerbvi.org

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
Offers programs that enable the blind or visually impaired to remain independent; including early intervention services, training and consultation in assistive technology, career placement services, comprehensive low vision care and rehabilitation services.
1120 20th St., NW
Suite 750 South
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 454-6400
Fax: (202) 454-6401
Toll-free: 1-877-324-5252
www.clb.org

International Association of Audio Information Services
Website includes directory of radio reading services in the U.S., Canada and several other countries.
www.iaais.org

Lighthouse International
Provides education and vision rehabilitation services, and supports research and advocacy.
111 East 59th St.
New York, NY 10022-1202
Phone: (212) 821-9200
Toll-free: 1-800-829-0500
www.lighthouse.org

National Association for Visually Handicapped
Serves as a clearinghouse for information about services available to the partially sighted from public and private sources. Conducts self-help groups and provides information on large print books and educational tools, publishes a quarterly newsletter and maintains a large print loan library for the visually impaired.
22 W. 21st St., Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
www.navh.org

NFB-NEWSLINE®
Developed and operated by the National Federation of the Blind, offers free nationwide telephone newspaper service for the blind and visually impaired.
1800 Johnson St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9315
Toll-free: 1-866-504-7300
www.nfb.org/nfb/newspapers_by_phone.asp

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
Provides free, recorded educational books for those with visual, perceptual or other physical disability. The master library contains over 90,000 titles.
20 Roszel Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
Toll-free: 1-866-732-3585
www.rfbd.org

The Seeing Eye
Matches specially bred and trained dog guides with blind people in the U.S. and Canada.
P.O. Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963
Phone: (973) 539-4425
Fax: (973) 539-0922
www.seeingeye.org

Print and Audio Materials for the Visually Impaired

American Printing House for the Blind
Provides special media, tools and materials for the blind and visually impaired.
1839 Frankfort Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-2405
Toll-free: 1-800-223-1839
www.aph.org

Associated Services for the Blind
Offers Braille, tape and large-print materials for the blind and visually impaired.
919 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 627-0600
Fax: (215) 922-0692
www.asb.org

Books on Tape, Inc.
Produces, rents and sells unabridged audio books on cassettes, CDs and MP3-CDs.
C/O Random House
400 Hahn Rd.
Westminster, MD 21157
Toll-free: 1-800-521-7925
www.booksontape.com

Choice Magazine Listening
Provides free audio tapes of current magazine articles to those who are blind, visually impaired or unable to read because of other physical limitations.
85 Channel Dr.
Port Washington, NY 11050
Phone: (516) 883-8280
Fax: (516) 944-6849
www.choicemagazinelistening.org

Clinical Trials

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health
Provides information on government-sponsored human trials and recruitment, with locations, purpose, eligibility requirements and phone contacts.
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/ClinicalTrials.htm
www.clinicaltrials.gov/

CenterWatch Clinical Trials Listing Service
Provides information about clinical research, including listings of active industry and government-sponsored clinical trials, research on new drug therapies and drugs recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
www.centerwatch.com

Disclaimer: With the exception of National Glaucoma Research, the above organizations are not affiliated with the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF). In addition, AHAF is not responsible for the content of these websites, and does not endorse any particular programs offered by these organizations.

Last Reviewed On: 11/21/08