Low Vision Resource Directory
Authoritative starting points for low-vision rehabilitation, accessible reading, technology, employment, transportation, benefits, and peer support.
Low-Vision Resources Directory
Finding trustworthy help after vision loss can feel overwhelming. This directory provides clear starting points for rehabilitation, accessible reading, technology, employment, transportation, benefits and peer support.
Most people use more than one service. A low-vision clinic may help you use remaining vision, while a rehabilitation agency teaches daily-living skills and an accessible library provides books in audio or Braille.
Start here
If you are unsure which service you need, begin with one of these organizations.
APH ConnectCenter
The APH ConnectCenter provides information for adults, families, students and professionals affected by blindness or low vision. Its resources include practical guidance and a directory for locating rehabilitation and community services.
- Visit the APH ConnectCenter
- Information and referral: 800-232-5463
VisionAware
VisionAware, part of the APH ConnectCenter, provides practical information about adapting to vision loss, daily living, employment, technology and emotional adjustment.
National Eye Institute
The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, publishes evidence-based information about eye conditions, treatment, research and vision rehabilitation.
- Visit the National Eye Institute
- General information: 301-496-5248
Prevent Blindness
Prevent Blindness provides eye-health education, patient-support resources and information about financial-assistance programs.
- Visit Prevent Blindness
- Phone: 800-331-2020
Low-vision examinations and rehabilitation
A routine eye examination focuses on eye health and diagnosis. A low-vision evaluation focuses on how you use your remaining vision for tasks such as reading, cooking, working and traveling.
Find an ophthalmologist
The American Academy of Ophthalmology provides a searchable directory of medical and surgical eye specialists.
Find an optometrist
The American Optometric Association provides a public directory for locating doctors of optometry. Ask prospective providers specifically whether they offer comprehensive low-vision evaluations.
Find a certified vision-rehabilitation professional
The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals certifies orientation-and-mobility specialists, vision rehabilitation therapists and low-vision therapists.
- Search the ACVREP directory
- Phone: 520-887-6816
Professional titles and services differ. Before scheduling, ask whether the provider offers the particular assessment or training you need.
State blindness and vocational-rehabilitation services
Every state and territory operates a vocational-rehabilitation program. Some have a separate agency or division serving people who are blind or have low vision.
Depending on eligibility and individual goals, services may include:
- Low-vision rehabilitation
- Independent-living instruction
- Orientation-and-mobility training
- Assistive-technology evaluations
- Equipment demonstrations or loans
- Education and employment support
- Workplace accommodations
- Job training and placement
Start with the APH ConnectCenter Directory of Services or your state’s official vocational-rehabilitation agency.
Program names, eligibility requirements and available services vary by state. Ask for the unit that serves people who are blind or have low vision.
Assistive-technology demonstrations and loans
Before purchasing expensive equipment, look for a demonstration, short-term loan or reuse program.
AT3 Center
The AT3 Center connects people with state Assistive Technology Act programs. State programs may provide device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, reuse programs and financing information.
Computers for the Blind
Computers for the Blind provides qualifying individuals with refurbished computers configured with accessibility software.
- Visit Computers for the Blind
- Phone: 214-340-6328
iCanConnect
iCanConnect is the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. It provides qualifying people who have both significant vision and hearing loss with communication technology and training.
- Visit iCanConnect
- Phone: 800-825-4595
Helen Keller National Center
The Helen Keller National Center provides rehabilitation, technology and independent-living services for people who are DeafBlind or have combined vision and hearing loss.
- Visit the Helen Keller National Center
- Phone: 516-944-8900
Accessible books, magazines and news
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
The National Library Service, or NLS, is a free Library of Congress program for eligible people who cannot use standard print because of a visual, physical or reading disability.
Services include:
- Talking books and magazines
- Braille materials
- Specialized playback equipment
- Postage-free delivery
- Digital books through BARD and the BARD Mobile app
- Apply for NLS services
- Find your local library: 888-657-7323
- General NLS information: 800-424-8567
Bookshare
Bookshare provides accessible ebooks in formats that can be enlarged, converted to speech or read using Braille technology. Eligibility and membership costs depend on the user’s qualification and student status.
- Visit Bookshare
- Phone: 650-644-3400
NFB-NEWSLINE
NFB-NEWSLINE provides eligible subscribers with accessible newspapers, magazines, weather information and other publications through telephone, mobile, web and compatible smart devices.
- Visit NFB-NEWSLINE
- Phone: 866-504-7300
Employment and workplace accommodations
Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network, known as JAN, provides free and confidential guidance about workplace accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
JAN can help employees, job applicants and employers explore accommodation options. It does not enforce employment law or provide legal representation.
- Visit the Job Accommodation Network
- Phone: 800-526-7234
State vocational rehabilitation
State vocational-rehabilitation programs may provide training, assistive technology, education and employment services when vision loss creates a barrier to employment.
Contact your state agency and ask how to apply for services. Eligibility is determined individually.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces federal laws addressing employment discrimination. It also publishes guidance about disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation.
- Visit the EEOC disability-discrimination resources
- Voice: 800-669-4000
- TTY: 800-669-6820
- ASL video phone: 844-234-5122
Deadlines may apply to discrimination complaints. Contact the EEOC or an attorney promptly if you need guidance about a possible claim.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
Social Security disability programs
The Social Security Administration administers Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Eligibility may involve statutory blindness or another qualifying disability, along with program-specific work, income, resource and documentation requirements.
- Visit Social Security disability information
- Phone: 800-772-1213
Low vision does not automatically qualify someone for benefits. Social Security makes an individual determination using its legal and medical standards.
Medicare
Medicare may cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment of eye disease and qualifying rehabilitation services. Original Medicare generally does not cover routine eye examinations for eyeglasses or most ordinary low-vision devices.
Coverage depends on the service, provider, medical necessity and plan.
- Visit Medicare
- Phone: 800-633-4227
Medicaid
Medicaid eligibility and vision benefits vary by state.
- Visit Medicaid
- Contact your state Medicaid agency for benefit and eligibility information.
Verify coverage directly with the insurer and provider before obtaining a service or device.
Transportation and independent living
Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator connects older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers with local Area Agencies on Aging and community services.
Possible referrals include transportation, meals, in-home support and caregiver programs.
- Visit the Eldercare Locator
- Call or text: 800-677-1116
Local paratransit
Public transit systems receiving federal funding generally provide ADA paratransit for eligible riders whose disabilities prevent them from using fixed-route transit under specified conditions.
Contact your local transit authority to request:
- Eligibility information
- An accessible application
- A functional assessment
- Travel training
- Information about service boundaries and advance reservations
Paratransit eligibility is not based on a diagnosis alone.
Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living are community-based, disability-led organizations that may provide independent-living skills, peer support, advocacy and service referrals.
Protection and Advocacy agencies
Each state and territory has a Protection and Advocacy organization serving people with disabilities. Services and case-acceptance priorities vary.
- Find your state Protection and Advocacy agency
- National Disability Rights Network: 202-408-9514
The national office does not ordinarily provide individual legal representation. Use its directory to contact the organization serving your state or territory.
Services for veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides blind and low-vision rehabilitation to eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
Services may include:
- Low-vision evaluation
- Orientation-and-mobility instruction
- Daily-living skills
- Assistive-technology training
- Optical and electronic devices
- Adjustment counseling
- Care coordination
A Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator—commonly called a VIST coordinator—often serves as the entry point.
Blinded Veterans Association
The Blinded Veterans Association provides peer support, advocacy and assistance for veterans and active-duty service members with significant vision loss. The vision condition does not necessarily need to be service-connected.
- Visit the Blinded Veterans Association
- Phone: 800-669-7079
Tribal and rural resources
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services funds tribal vocational-rehabilitation projects that provide culturally responsive services to eligible American Indians with disabilities.
Consumer services are delivered through funded tribal programs rather than one national intake office.
Contact the tribal vocational-rehabilitation project serving your community to ask about eligibility and services.
USDA Rural Development home-repair assistance
USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 program offers qualifying very-low-income rural homeowners loans for repairs and improvements. Grants are limited to qualifying homeowners age 62 or older who cannot repay a loan and must be used to remove health and safety hazards.
Accessibility-related work may qualify when it meets program requirements.
Eligibility depends on income, age for grants, home ownership, occupancy, location and other program rules.
Caregiver and family support
Caregiver Action Network
The Caregiver Action Network provides educational resources and support for family caregivers.
- Visit the Caregiver Action Network
- Caregiver Help Desk: 855-227-3640
Family Caregiver Alliance
Family Caregiver Alliance provides caregiver education, state-by-state resource navigation and online support tools. Local service eligibility varies.
- Visit Family Caregiver Alliance
- Phone: 800-445-8106
APH ConnectCenter family resources
APH ConnectCenter provides information designed for families, caregivers and allies supporting someone who is blind or has low vision.
Peer organizations and communities
Peer organizations can provide practical knowledge, mentorship, local chapters and advocacy.
American Council of the Blind
- Visit the American Council of the Blind
- Phone: 800-424-8666
National Federation of the Blind
- Visit the National Federation of the Blind
- Phone: 410-659-9314
Macular Degeneration Support
- Visit Macular Degeneration Support
- Phone: 888-430-9803
Glaucoma Research Foundation
- Visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation
- Phone: 800-826-6693
These organizations have different philosophies, programs and membership structures. You can explore more than one and decide which community feels useful to you.
Financial assistance for eye care
EyeCare America
EyeCare America, a program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, helps qualifying individuals connect with volunteer ophthalmologists for medical eye care.
Eligibility and included services vary. Eyeglasses, medications, additional testing or ongoing treatment may involve separate costs.
- Check EyeCare America eligibility
- Phone: 877-887-6327
Lions Clubs
Some local Lions clubs provide or coordinate vision screenings, eyeglasses, referrals or community assistance. Available services and funding vary by club.
Ask the local club what programs are currently active before relying on assistance.
Emergency preparedness
Ready.gov
Ready.gov provides emergency-planning information for people with disabilities.
Include accessible copies of:
- Medication and allergy information
- Emergency contacts
- Healthcare-provider information
- Insurance details
- Assistive-device instructions
- Communication preferences
Plan how you would replace or power essential assistive technology during an outage or evacuation.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides disaster-preparedness information and emergency assistance.
- Visit the American Red Cross
- Phone: 800-733-2767
How to evaluate a service
Before sharing personal information or paying for a service, ask:
- Is this a government agency, nonprofit organization or commercial company?
- What services are actually provided?
- Who qualifies?
- Is there a fee?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Who will receive my information?
- Is the website and application process accessible?
- Can information be provided in large print, Braille, audio or an accessible electronic format?
- Is a professional license or certification relevant to the service?
- What is the complaint or appeal process?
Do not assume that inclusion in a directory guarantees eligibility, availability or service quality.
Directory maintenance and corrections
Organization names, programs, telephone numbers, eligibility requirements and web addresses change.
LowVisionGuide.org reviews this directory at least every six months. The next scheduled full review should be recorded in the site’s editorial register.
If you find outdated information, report it through our contact page or email editor@lowvisionguide.org. Include the organization name, the information that appears incorrect and a link to an authoritative source when possible.
Directory notice
This directory is provided for informational purposes. LowVisionGuide.org is independent and does not guarantee eligibility, availability, service quality or third-party content. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement.
For medical concerns, contact a qualified healthcare professional. For emergencies, call 911 in the United States.