FCB BLINDNESS RESOURCES

If you have any information to add, or can help update the information provided on this page, please floridacouncil@comcast.net.

EYE-CARE/MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE (MIAMI)
PO Box 016880
Miami, FL 33101
1-800-329-7000

MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE
904-953-2232

THE WILMER EYE INSTITUTE at The John Hopkins University School of Medicine
410-614-2020

For information, research, other guides and announcements on Glaucoma, go to the Glaucoma website.

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MEDICAL SUPPORT

FLORIDA SOCIETY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(407) 647-8839

FOUNDATION FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS
Executive Plaza One
Suite 800
11350 McCormick Road
Hunt Valley, MD 31031
1-800-683-5555

NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
(301) 496-5248

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SUPPORT GROUPS

ACCESS (Association for Creating Community Equality for Seminole Students)
The mission of the ACCESS organization is to provide a forum for persons with disabilities and those without disabilities to come together to share ideas, advocate for resources that will benefit students with special needs and fully participate in activities that will enrich the lives of all students at Florida State University (FSU). This is for students who are enrolled at FSU. Membership in ACCESS is open to all persons interested in improving campus life for everyone at FSU.

AGAINST ALL ODDS
Fort Lauderdale/Broward County
Boynton Beach/West Palm Area
The Macular Disease Association of Boynton Beach meets the third Friday of each month at 3 PM at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, 2815 S. Seacrest Blvd (cor. 26th), Boynton Beach, FL 33435. Use Ambulatory Surgery Entrance, take elevator to floor #1, Clayton Conference Center. They service people who are visually-impaired from Deerfield Beach to Jupiter and can be reached by phone at (561) 740-7816 or (561) 369-3878.

THE LEARNING CENTER FOR VISION IMPAIRED SENIORS OF BROWARD COUNTY, INC.
Dedicated to providing continuing education, support, and socialization for legally blind seniors
Meetings are every Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Soccer Club Park
Nob Hill Banquet Hall
10200 Sunset Strip
Sunrise, FL 33322
Contact: George
(954) 742-3214

LOW VISION INSTITUTE
Dr. Marc Jay Gannon
5333 N Dixie Highway
Suite 101
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334
(954) 776-9454

ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
504 S. 57th St.
Omaha, NE 68106
(402) 556-3216

NABS: Student Listserv (nabs-l)
Moderated by Mr. Keith Wessel, a student at UIUC.
Should anyone want to join that list, the list address is listserv@postoffice.cso.uiuc.edu with the customary "subscribe nabs-l name (yours)" as the subscription request.

NAPVI: National Association of Parents of Children with Vision Impairments
P.O.Box 317
Watertown, MA 02471
1-800-562-6265
NAPVI has chapters throughout the country.

PROJECT VISION
(561) 878-7818
Support groups Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Treasure Coast, Martin and St. Lucie counties
St. Augustine Support Group
Main concentration: Macular Degeneration

St. Augustine, Florida V.I.P. Group meets once a month on the 3rd Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2 PM.

Jim Donnelly
(904) 829-2150

Marilyn Wright
(904) 797-3387

Tampa Support Group
Jan Dalrymple
(813) 689-6377

WORKING GROUP OF THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED (WGPS)
Online support group for those with Low Vision or friends and family members of anyone with a Low Vision interest.
E-mail: WGPS@yahoogroups.com

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SENIOR AGENCIES

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NIHSeniorHealth Website

NIHSeniorHealth helps Seniors with Low Vision learn about maintaining independence. The Internet is increasingly becoming a source that older Americans use to research everything from hobbies to health. In response, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) have developed the NIHSeniorHealth Website.

This interactive site was designed specifically with the needs of older adults in mind, and includes large-print materials, relevant information, and features that are easy to use. In an effort to increase awareness among older Americans about Low Vision and the benefits of vision rehabilitation, NIHSeniorHealth includes user-friendly information, frequently asked questions and other resources to help seniors with low vision learn more about maintaining an active and independent lifestyle.

NIA and NLM are parts of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

NEW HOPE OF HIGHLANDS
Service Agency for Seniors
(941) 382-2134

HOLIDAY RETIREMENT CORPORATION
PO Box 1411
Salem, Oregon

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ACCESSIBLE PRODUCT VENDORS

ANN MORRIS
551 Hosner Mountain Road
Stormville, NY 12582
1-800-454-3175
Fax: (845) 226-2793

CAROLYN'S
1415 57th Ave West
Bradenton, FL 34207
1-800-648-2266

DUXBURY
Braille Translators

EASY-TALK
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
1-877-481-0938

ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES
1601 NE Braille Place
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
1-800-777-3687
Fax: 1-800-950-3687

ENVISION
2301 S. Water
Wichita, KS 67213
(316) 267-2244

FLORIDA READING AND VISION TECHNOLOGY
Lesa Kretschmer
PO Box 519
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302
1-800-981-5119
Fax: (954) 462-4647

FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC
Blind/Low Vision Group
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Sales: 1-800-444-4443
Tech Support: (727) 803-8600

GW MICRO
Window-Eyes
725 Airport North Office Park
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(219) 489-3671

MAXI-AIDS
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
1-800-522-6294

NEW DESIGNS UNLIMITED
Joanne Hill
(301) 979-9297

NDU features the SpeakEasy Media System -- an affordable, easy-to-use, preconfigured computer system for blind and low vision users (access to e-mail, news articles, audio books, etc), and the SpeakEasy Reading Machine -- a scanning and magnifying reading machine which is fast and affordable.

RECORDING FOR THE BLIND & DYSLEXIC
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
1-866-732-3585
(1-866-RFBD-585)

R C SYSTEMS
(425) 355-3800

VR HELPS
Local in Tallahassee: (850) 487-3423 or (850) 922-1118
1-800-451-4327

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LIST OF NATIONWIDE GUIDE DOG SCHOOLS

CANINE VISION, INC.
2305 Luther Bailey Road
Senoia, GA 30276
(770) 599-0680

EYE DOG FOUNDATION
8252 South 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85041-7806
Training Center: (602) 276-0051
Administrative Headquatrters: 1-800-393-3641

FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION, INC.
PO Box 142
Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 243-5200
Fax: (860) 243-7215

FREEDOM GUIDE DOGS
1210 Hardscrabble Road
Cassville, NY 13318
(315) 822-5132
Fax: (315) 822-5132

GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND, INC.
371 East Jericho Turnpike
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
(631) 265-2121 or (631) 930-9000
Toll-free: 1-800-548-4337
Fax: (631) 361-5192

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND, INC.
California Campus
350 Los Ranchitos Road
Post Office Box 151200
San Rafael, CA 94915-1200
(415) 499-4000
Toll-free: 1-800-295-4050
Fax: (415) 499-4035

Oregon Campus
32901 S.E. Kelso Road
Boring, OR 97009
(503) 668-2100
Fax: (503) 668-2141

GUIDE DOGS OF AMERICA
13445 Glenoaks Blvd.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 362-5834
Fax: (818) 362-6870

GUIDE DOGS OF THE DESERT, INC.
PO Box 1692
Palm Springs, CA 92263
(760) 329-6257
Fax: (760) 329-2127

GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND, INC.
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
(914) 245-4024
Toll-free: 1-800-942-0149
Fax: (914) 245-1609

KANSAS SPECIALTY DOG SERVICE
124 West 7th St.
PO Box 216
Washington, KS 66968
(913) 325-2256
Fax: (913) 325-2258

LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND, INC.
PO Box 5000
Rochester, MI 48308-5000
Toll-free: 1-888-777-5332

NEW HORIZONS SERVICE DOGS, INC.
1590 Laurel Park Court
Orange City, FL 32763
(386) 456-0408

PILOT DOGS, INC.
625 W. Town St.
Columbus, OH 43215-4496
(614) 221-6367
Fax: (614) 221-1577

THE SEEING EYE, INC
PO Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963-0375
(973) 539-4425
Fax: (973) 539-0922

SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS, INC.
4210 77th St. East
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 729-5665
Toll-free: 1-800-944-3647
Fax: (941) 729-6646

SOUTHWEST GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION
PO Box 691582
San Antonio, TX 78269-1582
(210) 366-4081
Fax: (210) 366-4082

UPSTATE GUIDE DOG ASSOCIATION
PO Box 93130
Rochester, NY 14692-8130
(716) 234-3895

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TECHNOLOGY TRAINING RESOURCES

CATHY ANNE COMPUTER CLASSES
Cathy Anne Murtha
Access Technology Specialist
(916) 922-3794

FRED'S HEAD
Fred Gissoni developed a database with tips and techniques based on what task one needs to do. It is a link from the home page of American Printing House for the Blind.

HELEN KELLER INSTITUTE
111 Middleneck Road
Sans Point, NY 11050-1299
(516) 944-8900

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GENERAL HELP SERVICES

PROJECT INSIGHT
1-800-267-4448

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
Legislative Hotline
1-800-424-8666

FLORIDA DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES
Eye on DBS, the Florida DBS Newsletter
STATE OFFICE (Tallahassee)
2551 Executive Center Circle West
Lafayette Building, Room 200
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2050
(850) 488-1330
Toll-free: 1-800-342-1828

BUREAU OF BRAILLE AND TALKING BOOK LIBRARY SERVICES
Mike Gunde, Bureau Chief
420 Platt St.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-2804
(386) 239-6000
Toll-free: 1-800-226-6075

REHABILITATION CENTER FOR THE BLIND
1111 Willis Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 258-4444
Toll-free: 1-800-741-3826

LIGHTHOUSE OF BROWARD
650 N. Andrews Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
(954) 463-4217
Fax: (954) 764-3825
Email: vision@lhob.org

LIGHTHOUSE OF THE BIG BEND
1286 Cedar Center Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-3658
Toll free: 1-888-827-6033
Fax: (850) 942-4518
Email: info@lighthousebigbend.org

SOUTHEASTERN ADA CENTER (Gives ADA Information)
490 10th St.
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 385-0636
1-800-949-4232
National 800 number links you to area office from which you are calling

COMMISSION FOR TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED
1-800-983-2435

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
1-800-638-2772

DEPRESSION AWARENESS HOTLINE
1-800-421-4211

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
1-800-647-8733

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1-800-424-4000

FAMILY COUNSELING SERVICES
1-800-963-5337

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1-888-225-5322

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION
1-800-323-8603

FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
1-800-342-3552

FRAUD HOTLINE
1-800-647-8733

FTA NATIONAL TRANSIT LIBRARY

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
1-800-347-3735

HUNGER HOTLINE
1-800-329-3663

INSPECTOR GENERAL
1-800-424-9121

I R S
1-800-829-1040

LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL
111 East 59th St.
New York, NY 10022
(212) 821-9200
1-800-829-0500

MEDICARE
1-800-333-7586

NERRON LAYZER CANE
Cane foundation to help pay Guiding Light for the Blind
(610) 640-2345
or contact Jim Swed
(215) 627-0600

PARENT HOTLINE
1-800-352-5683

POISON CONTROL
1-800-282-3171

SOCIAL SECURITY
1-800-772-1213

US POSTAGE STAMPS BY MAIL
1-800-782-6724
($1 charge per order. No minimum or maximum)

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
1-800-222-1811

VERIZON CENTERS FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITES
1-800-974-6006 (Voice/TTY)
Also, check out Forward Access, Verizon’s online newsletter created as resource especially for their needs. The newsletter provides its readers with industry updates and personal profiles, as well as information on new products and opportunities, both from within the Verizon network of services and throughout the disabilities community. It’s a great way to stay in touch with Verizon’s ongoing efforts. Check out Forward Access either as a PDF or online at http://www.verizon.com/forwardaccess.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
1-800-488-8244

WATER SAFETY HOTLINE
1-800-426-4791

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DISABILITY SERVICES
THE ABLE TRUST: THE GOVERNOR'S ALLIANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT (For Florida Citizens with Disabilities)
(850) 224-4493
Toll-free: 1-888-838-2253

ADVOCACY CENTER FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
1-800-342-0823

ALLIANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH VISION IMPAIRMENTS
Barbara Grill
(941) 966-7056

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE EDUCATION AND REFERRAL
1-800-438-4380

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES WORKING GROUP (Tallahassee)
(850) 487-3423

A T & T DISABILITY SERVICES
1-800-872-3883

BANK COMPLAINTS(Comptroller of Currency)
(404) 659-8855

BELLSOUTH DISABILITY SERVICES
780-2273 (Anywhere in Florida)

DISABILITY-CLAIMS.NET
This website provides individuals access to retaining financial support for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

NORTHWEST FLORIDA RADIO READING SERVICE (The Voice of Print)
1-888-941-2888

OUTTA SIGHT TRAVEL
(772) 336-8747
Toll-free: 1-866-338-8747
Fax: (772) 336-8595

SOUNDS OF HOPE, INC. - OFFERING HOPE THROUGH MUSIC
The mission of Sounds of Hope, a not-for-profit corporation, is to provide information about music therapy and its value in caring for people who are seriously ill or disabled, and who are living in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.

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FCB BLINDNESS RESOURCES

IMPORTANT ADDRESSES, PHONE NUMBERS AND WEB SITES