for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Detroit, MI 48227
313-272-3900
FAX: 313-272-6893
E-Mail:
This page contains a listing of organizations and resources specializing in advocacy and general support services to help people who are blind or visually impaired lead independent and productive lives.
Table of Contents
North American Resources
- American Council of the Blind
- American Foundation for the Blind
- American Health Assistance Foundation
- Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
- Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
- Blind Related Links
- Braille Institute
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind
- Clovernook Center for the Blind
- Lighthouse International
- Michigan Commission for the Blind
- National Federation of the Blind
Resources Outside North America
- Alliance for Equality for Blind Canadians (AEBC)
- Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (ABC NZ)
- Royal National Institute of the Blind (United Kingdom)
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
- Vision Australia
North American Resources
American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is the nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people. It was founded in 1961 and incorporated in the District of Columbia.
American Health Assistance Foundation
The American Health Assistance Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that has dedicated over 30 years to funding research on age-related and degenerative diseases, educating the public about these diseases, and providing emergency financial assistance to Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers. Their web site includes links on glaucoma and macular degeneration.
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind is a national non-profit agency involved with development of public policy and the establishment of services for people who are blind or visually impaired. "The cause Helen Keller championed."
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) is an international membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to the professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired children and adults.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
The Mission of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is to provide quality services, training, and stable employment opportunities to blind adults while maintaining their core values of Honesty,Integrity, Trust, Teamwork, Independence, Open Communication, Pride in Accomplishment, Personal and Professional Growth, Belief in the Capabilities of Blind People, Dignity and Self-Esteem.
Blind Related Links
The Blind Related Links web site contains a host of links to Internet resources of interest to the blind and visually impaired, arranged by category. Many of these links will be of interest to rehabilitation and related specialists as well.
Braille Institute
Braille Institute has worked for over 90 years to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. They offer classes, training and a wide variety of other services and activities free of charge. They serve Central and Southern California through five regional centers. Their Mobile Solutions van brings help and hope to people in outlying areas
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is the principal source of services for the blind and visually impaired in Canada. CNIB provides talking book service, access to adaptive equipment and other services to visually impaired people in Canada. Their web site has a variety of information on CNIB and other services.
Clovernook Center for the Blind
The Clovernook Center is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its mission is to provide individualized training and opportunities for people who are visually impaired, particularly those with additional disabilities, to enable the attainment of an optimal quality of life.
Lighthouse International
Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives.
Michigan Commission for the Blind
The Michigan Commission for the Blind, an agency within the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, is dedicated to providing opportunities to blind and visually impaired individuals to achieve independence and employment. The commission’s programs and services include the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Independent Living Program, Business Services, Youth Services, DeafBlind Services, and the Business Enterprise Program. Training and other services are provided in-home, at week-long Mini Adjustment Seminars around the state, and at the residential MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo. Services are funded by federal and state funding, and no fees are charged to those receiving services. For more information, call 1-800-292-4200 (voice) or 1-888-864-1212 (TTY) toll-free in Michigan.
National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
was founded in 1940 with the goal of helping the blind to help themselves. Their
web site has information on many of NFB's activities. NFB also operates a
computer bulletin board system called NFB-Net.
Click here to make a Telnet connection to NFB-Net.
Click here for the web-based resources of the NFB-Net Bulletin Board.
Resources Outside North America
Alliance for Equality for Blind Canadians (AEBC)
The Alliance for Equality for Blind Canadians is a democratically structured, registered Canadian Charity. The NFB:AE is the only organization in Canada specifically licensed by the federal government to serve primarily as a vehicle for public education about blindness throughout Canada.
Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (ABC NZ)
The Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand ensures that blind and vision-impaired citizens speak for themselves with Government, service providers, and the community in general. They do this through communication, advocacy, and peer support.
Royal National Institute of Blind People
The Royal National Institute of Blind People is the principal source of services for the blind and visually impaired in the United Kingdom.
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand's primary provider of vision-related services to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people.
Vision Australia
Vision Australia is a not-for-profit organization and Australia's leading provider of blindness and low vision services. They provide the equipment and training that enables people who are blind or have low vision to live their lives to the full.
