Resources

Below is a list of community resources. This list provides resources in areas that are relevant to individuals who are blind or are visually impaired residing in the Washington DC Metropolitan area (as well as some national resources), including support groups. Resources in the areas of accessibility, transportation, and other useful services. This resource list is provided to assist persons for the sole purpose of connecting those in need of the listed services to service providers and is not and should not be considered an endorsement of any product or service listed.
Please assist us with keeping our list growing and relevant. If you are aware of any resource or service that may be beneficial to be blind and visually impaired community, but not on this list, submit the resource or service to the N’SIGHT WEBMASTER at: [email protected]
All submissions will be reviewed for inclusion to the
RESOURCES
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind DC https://www.clb.org (202) 454-6400
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind MD WWW.CLB.ORG (301) 589-0894
National Federation of the Blind of DC https://www.nfbdc.org Shawn Callaway Affiliate President, (202) 352-1511
National Federation of the Blind MD   https://www.nfbmd.org Marguerite Woods, President (443) 271-1668
National Federation of the Blind VA https://Nfbv.org Tracy Soforenko, President (202) 285-4595

American Foundation for the Blind AFB WWW.AFB.ORG (212) 502-7600
The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc https://www.washear.org (301) 681-6636 Office for Blindness and Vision Services www.cdss.ca.gov/blind-services
1(866) 614-4780
Department on Disability Services D.C https://dds.dc.gov (202) 730-1700
DC Center for Independent Living https://dccil.org (202) 388-0033
D.C Council of the Blind https://www.dccounciloftheblind.org (800) 424-8666
Blind Industries and Services of MD https://bism.org 1 (888) 322-4567
VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired https://www.virginia.gov/agencies/department-for-the-blind-and-vision-impaired (804) 371-3140
V.R.C.B.V.I - Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired https://vrcbvi.org (800) 622-2155
Perkins School for the Blind www.Perkins.org (617) 924-3434
Hadley Institute for the Blind https://hadley.edu (800) 323-4238
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Vision Impaired https://aerbvi.org (703) 671-4500
Division of Rehabilitation Services DOORS -MD https://dors.maryland.gov (888) 554-0334
Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/50libraryf.html
(800) 964-9209
Center for the Bind and Vision Impaired https://cbvi.net (804) 371-3151
Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
Youreyes.org ---- (202) 234-1010
Braille Institute Center www.brailleinstitute.org 1(800) 272-4553
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library https://www.dclibrary.org/mlk
(202) 727-0321
Blinded Veterans Association https://bva.org (800) 669-7079
National Library Service https://www.loc.gov/nls 1(888) 657-7323
American Council of the Blind (ACB) https://www.acb.org (800) 424-8666
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Service https://www.dars.virginia.gov (800) 552.5019

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Adaptive Technology
Access Ingenuity 1-877-579-4380 Provides adaptive technology and software
Adaptive Technology Services 1-866-564-6650 www.adaptivetec.com A for-profit agency that works in concert with the VA and Rehabilitation Agencies to conduct assessments, give recommendations, install computer software, and conduct training for blind and low vision individuals.
ZOOM TEXT AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Assistive Technology Center 888-322-1918 www.assistivetechcenter.com Provides jobsite evaluations/assessments, educational consultation, and training. Seller of adaptive hardware and software. Assistive Technology Network/Alliance For Technology Access 800-390-2699 www.atnet.org Information and referrals related to assistive technology
Dolphin Computer Access 866-797-5921 www.YourDolphin.com
Creates and provides software products for the visually impaired which allows use of mainstream information technology.
Freedom Scientific 800-444-4443 www.freedomscientific.com
The producer of JAWS Screen Reader and other tools. Freedom Scientific provides access to current software applications and internet for blind and visually impaired users.
GW Micro, Inc. 802-362-3612 www.gwmicro.com
Producers of Window-Eyes, offers a variety of speech features and the flexibility for running the most advanced Windows® applications.
HumanWare 800-722-3393 Technical Support 800-722-3393 www.humanware.com
Publisher of The Art of Living Well with Low Vision. Human Ware creates and distributes adaptive technology products for the blind and visually impaired, including the Victor Reader Stream.
Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. (IRTI) 800-322-4784 www.irti.net
IRTI provides everyday useful products and high-tech innovations for the blind, visually impaired, as well as persons experiencing dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Optelec 800-828-1056 www.optelec.com Sale of closed-circuit televisions and other blindness and low vision products.
RL & Associates, Inc. 866-339-1180 www.rla.com Offers networks and adaptive technology for people with disabilities. RL is located in San Francisco, CA.
Advocacy
Equal Rights Center 11 DuPont Circle N.W., Suite 450 Washington, DC 20036 866-719-4374 (free) 202-234-3062 202-234-3106 (Fax)
The Equal Rights Center (ERC) is a national non-profit civil-rights organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunity in housing, employment, and access to public accommodations and government services through education, research, testing, advocacy, and enforcement.
BOOKS/LIBRARY SERVICES
American Printing House for the Blind 1-800-223-1839 www.aph.org A clearinghouse for Braille, large print/audio books, and educational/recreational products.
Books Aloud 408-808-2613 www.booksaloud.org
Audio book library service (free) for blind/visually impaired individuals with physical and learning disabilities (no age requirement)
Braille Bible Foundation 800-766-9080 or  513-576-9796
Provides King James Version of the Bible, concordance, and various religious materials in braille format.

Braille Institute of America 323-663-1111 www.brailleinstitute.org
The Braille Institute, located in Los Angeles, CA. offers independent living classes and recreational activities for the blind (no age requirement) as well as a talking book library and low vision clinic services.
Jewish Braille Institute (JBI) International 212-889-2525 http://www.jbilibrary.org
JBI Library provides the visually impaired, blind, physically and reading disabled with books, magazines and cultural programs in audio (available in 7 languages). Materials are provided in both large print and Braille.
Learning Ally (Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) 800-221-4792 www.learningally.org
Learning Ally is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides recorded reading materials for individuals who are unable to read print and specializes in educational materials. Please note there is a membership fee.
National Braille Press 617-266-6160 www.nbp.org
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library of Congress 1291 Taylor Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011 202-707-5100 www.loc.gov/nls
American Diabetes Association 800-342-2383 http://www.diabetes.org
Freedom Med 888-722-7556 http://www.freedomed.com
No cost diabetic supplies for if you qualify to receive Medicare benefits. Prodigy, talking glucose meter is available.
Maxi Aids 800-522-6294 http://www.maxiaids.com
Living aids for individuals with various disabilities in need of medical products.
Medivoxrx 866-798-2557 http://www.afb.org
United States Guide Dog Schools
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. 103 Old Iron Ore Road Bloomfield, CT 06002-1424 860-243-5200 860-769-0567 (Fax) Email: [email protected] website: http://www.fidelco.org
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind 1210 Hardscrabble Road Cassville, NY 13318 315-822-5132 (Fax) 315-822-513please call before faxing) http://freedomguidedogs.org/
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. 371 East Jericho Turnpike Smithtown, NY 11787-2976 631-265-2121 800-548-4337, 631-361-5192 (Fax) http://www.guidedog.org
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. P. O. Box 151200 San Rafael, CA 94915-1200 415-499-4000 or 800-295-4050  Email:  [email protected] http://www.guidedogs.com
Guide Dogs of America 13445 Glenoaks Boulevard Sylmar, CA 91342 818-362-5834 or 1-800-459-4843 Fax: 818-362-6870 Email:[email protected]  http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org
Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc. 611 Granite Springs Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914-245-1609 800-942-0149 Fax: 914-962-1403 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.guidingeyes.org
Leader Dogs for the Blind, Inc. 1039 South Rochester Road Rochester, MI 48307-3115 248-651-9011 or 888-777-5332 Fax: 248-651-5812 EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.leaderdog.org
Pilot Dogs, Inc. 625 W. Town Street Columbus, OH 43215-4496 614-221-6367 Website: http://www.pilotdogs.org
The Seeing Eye, Inc. P. O. Box 375 Morristown, NJ 07963-0375 973-539-4425 or 800-539-4425 EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.pilotdogs.org
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. 4210 77th St. East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-5665 or 1-800-944-3647 EMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.guidedogs.org
Southeastern Guide Dogs Georgia Outreach 1535 Lake Paradise Rd. Villa Rica, GA 30180 770-459-2051 or 1-888-944-DOGS Website: http://www.guidedogs.org

Low Vision Products Tactile Markings

LS&S Group, Inc. 800-468-4789   http://www.lssproducts.com
Company carries a general line of supplies for the blind including the raised line drawing pad kit and other items related to tactile graphics

Magnifiers & Reading Machines

Bossert Specialties 800-776-5885 www.wemagnify.com
Sales of independent living aids and magnifiers for the blind and visually impaired.

Optelec 800-444-4443 www.optelec.com
Sales of closed-circuit televisions and other blindness and low vision products
Shop Low Vision 800-826-4200 http://www.shoplowvision.com Vision products available to order online or by telephone.
Visions Anew institute 770-953-2882 1-800-355-0428 http://www.visionsanew.org
Products for sale or rent including closed circuit systems, basic reading machines, and workstations with computer interface. Purchases, sells and reconditions previously owned closed circuit TV systems.

Medical Services
American Diabetes Association 800-342-2283 Provides assistance with navigating the services offered by Medicare.
Freedom Med 888-722-7556 Free diabetic supplies to those who qualify for Medicare. Prodigy, talking glucose meter is available.

Organizations
American Council of the Blind National Office: 202-467-5081 www.acb.org
National consumer organization of the blind and visually impaired. Please refer to the website for State and local chapters.
American Foundation for the Blind 800-232-5463 www.afb.org National organization serving the blind and visually impaired.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland 3345 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21227 410-737-2600 www.bism.org
Offers training and services for blind and low vision individuals who are Maryland residents.

DC Center for Independent Living 1400 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-388-0033 202-398-3018 (Fax) 202-470-1534 (TTY) www.dccil.org Private non-profit organization that assists District of Columbia residents with significant disabilities to live independently in their homes and in their communities. We offer three locations within Washington DC and have staff members who are fluent in Spanish, French and American Sign Language (ASL).

Hadley School for the Blind 1-800-323-4238 www.hadley-school.org    More than 90 free distance education courses to eligible students. Courses are available for blind individuals (must be at least 14 years), relatives of blind or visually impaired children or adults. Courses are also available to professionals in the blindness field. You may register for courses online.

National Federation of the Blind National Office: 410-659-9314 www.nfb.org
National consumer organization of the blind and visually impaired, with affiliates throughout the United States and chapters in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

TRANSPORTATION

MetroAccess A shared ride paratransit service available in Washington DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties (Maryland) and Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax Counties (Virginia).
For eligibility: 202-962-2700 For Trip scheduling: 301-562-5360 www.wmata.com/accessibility

District of Columbia Taxicab for Disabilities 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570 North Washington, DC 20001 202-727-4559 202-727-9589 (Fax)
Royal Taxi: 202-398-0500 Yellow Paratransit: 202-544-1213
http://www.dctaxionline.com http://www.orderyellowcab.com