I recommend that parents click on each of these links to become acquainted with the range of resources and services available to our kids. The organizations are listed alphabetically in two sections. The first list of resources is national in scope. The second section is specifically for Georgia, which is where we live. If you have a resource to add, please complete our contact form.
National-Level Vision Organizations
Many of these organizations have state and local chapters listed on their sites.
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
ACB advocates for equality of people who are blind and visually impaired, inspires community, and connects you with education, resources, and each other to support your independence.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
AFB creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.
American Printing House (APH) Family Connect Center
APH FamilyConnect supports you, your child, your family, and your child’s medical and educational team members.
APH Family Connect Getting Started Guides
The Getting Started Guides provide information about vision development, navigating IFSP and IEPs, braille literacy, technology, transition support, tips and ideas to support your child at home, and a wealth of additional resources to support you in raising your child.
Bookshare
A free online library offering accessible ebooks in audio, braille, and large print for people with disabilities, including visual impairments.
Empowering Youth with Visual Impairment (EMPOWER VI)
The goal of EMPOWER is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with the virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes.
Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)
To drive the research toward preventions, treatments, and cures for blinding diseases
National Ability Center
We empower individuals with disabilities through the transformative power of adaptive recreation and adventure.
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
We advance the lives of our members and all blind people in the United States.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
A free braille and talking book library service provided by the Library of Congress.
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A proud division of the NFB, is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children.
No Barriers Organization
Provide transformative programs and experiences that shift mindsets, create belonging, and foster self-discovery to elevate individuals and their communities.
Parent to Parent USA (P2P)
Connects families of children with disabilities to provide support and resources.
Perkin’s School for the Blind
Perkins works in almost 100 countries to get children access to highly-trained teachers and accessible education.
Perkin’s O&M Skills Worksheet
Is your student MOBILITY READY to attend college? An exhaustive list of Orientation and Mobility skills required to attend college.
Prevent Blindness
Their mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight.
Paths to Literacy
Provides a basic overview of literacy to various stages of development and special challenges, as well as an exploration of different media (print, braille, auditory strategies).
Social Security Administration
Provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities who are unable to work.
US Department of Education (DOE)
Fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
US Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Offers guidance and funding for programs supporting students with disabilities, including those with visual impairments. They provide educational policy guidance and fund state-level services.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Offers benefits and services to veterans with visual impairments.
Wrights Law
Parents, advocates, teachers, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for reliable, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Georgia-Based Resources
This is the list I wish someone would have handed me when Kai was first diagnosed.
Adjusting to Vision Loss
A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with specialized training to support those experiencing vision loss.
Babies Can’t Wait
Georgia’s early intervention program offers coordinated services for infants and toddlers with special needs, from birth to three years of age, and their families.
Center for the Visually Impaired
Empowering people with vision loss to live with independence and dignity.
Georgia Academy for the Blind
GAB is a school for the blind based in Macon, Georgia. It serves students across our entire state. Even if you do not plan to send your child, I’d recommend a tour as they have a lot of helpful experts to connect with and resources to share.
Georgia Advocacy Office
GAO has a vision of a Georgia where all people have value, visibility, and voice; where even the most difficult and long-lasting challenges are addressed by ordinary citizens acting voluntarily on behalf of each other.
Georgia Client Assistance Program
The Client Assistance Program helps people with disabilities who are seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services by providing information about the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
Georgia Department of Education Special Education Services
Supports local school districts in their efforts to provide special education and related services for students with disabilities.
Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation
Provides vision services through education, detection, prevention, and treatment through collaborative partnerships, we enable greater independence and increased quality of life for Georgians in financial need.
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
Our mission is to serve Georgians with disabilities to empower them to live independently.
Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE inc.)
The Centers for Independent Living assist people with all types of disabilities to set and achieve personal goals toward independence.
Parent to Parent of Georgia
Supports Georgia families and individuals impacted by disabilities or special health care needs. One of their parent mentors attended our mediation procedure and was very helpful.
Savannah Center Blind and Low Vision
Offers programs and services that promote independence and dignity for people who are vision impaired or blind, their family, friends, and the community.
Smoky Powell Low Vision Outreach
Outreach program that provides low-vision devices and assistive technology. We visited the center several times for evaluation and also to try out new assistive tech devices. They even loan assistive tech to schools for your student to use on a trial basis.
Navigating Blindness 