Your New York Low Vision Resources

low vision eye assist

photo provided by Katy Kash

At Eye Assist, LLC, we want to provide more than low vision products. We want to match you up with the tools and resources to make your life more productive, dynamic, and independent. That’s why we compiled these resources from across the nation and locally here in New York.

National Resources

  • Blinded Veterans Association – The Blinded Veteran Association is more than an organization that helps blinded veterans. It is an organization of blinded veterans that help other blinded veterans. The organization neither charge for their services, nor do they have prerequisites for assistance eligibility. Their goal is to improve the life of all blinded veterans through service programs and assistance with resources. The group also acts as an advocate for blinded veterans before both the legislative and executive branches of government.
  • Ears for Eyes – EARS (Enrichment Audio Resource Sources) for Eyes provide free resources to visually impaired persons and their caregivers. These audio tapes are lessons that have been modeled after the current rehabilitation methods. EARS audio tapes teach new ways to do everyday activities without having to leave home or pay for the training. Each lesson is an independent topic that may be used on its own or in conjunction with others of the same group. The lessons are free and can be obtained by contacting the organization through their website.
  • National Braille Press – Founded in 1927, National Braille Press is dedicated to providing blind and visually impaired persons with access to the same information as sighted people through the use of Braille materials. NBP offers services that convert written documents into Braille documents. As a non-profit organization, they rely on outside resources, to facilitate providing reading materials and technology to blind and visually impaired children.
  • Enhanced Vision – Enhanced Vision is a leading developer of assistive technology for the visually impaired including Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Retinitis Pigementosa and Diabetic Retinopathy. Low vision assistive technology enables people to read, write and fully participate in life.

Local Resources

  • NY Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) – The Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped is a department of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Their goal is to provide family assistance to those who are legally blind or visually handicapped so that maximum independence is attained. Programs are available for all age groups. There are also assistive technologies training resources that can be utilized.
  • Helen Keller Services for the Blind – Helen Keller Services for the Blind is a treasure trove of resources for the visually impaired and blind.  The online site offers links and information on other resources as well as information on the Children’s Learning Center, Camp Helen Keller and Low Vision Clinics in the New York area. There are also Saturday programs, pre-vocational training programs, college prep programs and evaluation centers that can be useful for the visually impaired.