Welcome to heritage for the blind
Welcome to The Heritage for The Blind, a "Self-Help for Vision Loss" web site that provides free, practical, hands-on information to enhance quality of life and independence for adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and vision professionals.
At The Heritage for The Blind, we understand that losing your vision can be a difficult, emotional, and life-changing experience that affects you and everyone around you - spouses, family members, children, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Whether you're totally blind, have low vision, or simply have trouble seeing from time to time, it's important to realize you're not alone. At least 6.5 million American adults experience vision problems and many don't know where to turn for help or information.
On The Heritage for The Blind web site, you'll find free, practical, self-help solutions that can help adults with vision loss to learn about eye disorders that cause vision problems.
You can also find vision rehabilitation services, stay on top of the latest medical research, keep working after vision loss, adapt everyday tasks ontinue with hobbies, sports and recreation.
Where to Turn for Help and Information If You are Blind or Have Low Vision
Adults with Vision Problems: Learn about vision problems and eye disorders, locate vision rehabilitation services, retain employment, continue hobbies, maintain personal independence, and keep up-to-date on vision news and research.
Adults with Vision Problems
If you are blind or have low vision and your vision loss is affecting your daily activities, self-esteem, and independence, you may be asking, "Is there anything I can do?"At The Heritage for The Blind,our team of qualified and experienced vision professionals provides free, practical, self-help information to help you learn more about vision loss and eye disorders.
The team also help you to find vision rehabilitation services, retain employment, continue your hobbies, maintain your personal independence, and learn more about the latest medical research.
Programs that Help
Did you know there are many govenment and non-profit agencies that provide an array of free or low cost benefits and assistance to the blind and visually impaired?Call The Heritage for The Blind and a counselor will assist you in getting these free or low cost benefits that can help you today.
The programs line is available Monday through Friday from 9:00am EST until 5:00pm EST reachable by calling: 1-888-225-5542
Heritage for the Blind Education Program
Heritage for the Blind now offers free online education courses for the blind and visually impaired community. Our program is designed to assist in learning popular computer programs such as Microsoft applications and basic computer training. Enrollment for this program is free.
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Ways to Give
Your generous support gives us the ability to provide resources and programs for the blind and visually impaired. Your gifts of financial support are an investment in providing others with the help they need.
With four donation options to choose from including:
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National Organizations
US National Organizations that provide information, services, and other resources for the blind, visually impaired, and people with low vision.
Comprehensive Sources of Information for Persons with Vision Impairment
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Foundation for the Blind
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)
Heritage for the Blind recomends: The Lighthouse
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Blindskills, Inc.
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Elder Services Administration on Aging
Find Books: Large Print, Audio, & Braille National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
How to Find a Doctor in Your Area American Academy of Ophthalmology
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Optometric Association
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Information on Eye Diseases & Disorders The National Eye Institute (NEI)
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Organizations National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Eldercare Locator
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR)
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Vision Rehabilitation Association
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Center for Learning Disabilities
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Council of the Blind
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Heart Association
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Parkinson Disease Association
Heritage for the Blind recomends: The Seeing Eye
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Stroke Association
Heritage for the Blind recomends: Council of Schools for the Blind
Heritage for the Blind recomends: E.A.R.S. for Eyes Directory of Low Vision Support Groups
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Association of Ophthalmology
Heritage for the Blind recomends: American Association of Eye and Ear Hospitals
Heritage for the Blind recomends: DisabilityInfo.gov
Heritage for the Blind recomends: The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
Heritage for the Blind recomends: National Federation of The Blind
International Organizations
International organizations that provide information, services, and resources for the blind and visually impaired.
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Advocacy:
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.
The Advocacy area of AER addresses legislation and advocacy activities intended to improve education and independence for those with visual impairment or blindness.
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
An international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
International Council for Education of People With Visual Impairment (CEVI)
A global association of individuals and organizations that promotes equal access to appropriate education for all children and youth with visual impairment so that they may achieve their full potential.
Publisher of The Educator.
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the association's 1925 international convention.
Searchable Databases
Please note: You can cross-check the national data bases of the American Foundation for the Blind and/or VisionConnection with those that focus on a given state, such as New York State’s ‘Blindline’ and California’s ‘Prevent Blindness Northern California’.
In addition you can contact your local state agency and learn more about the range of services available to persons with vision impairment in your particular area.
How to Find Vision Rehabilitation Services in Your Area.
Prevent Blindness Northern California
How to Find a Doctor in Your Area
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Optometric Association
Talk about your Feelings
Vision loss that occurs in adulthood can present special challenges. After relying on your eyes and sense of sight for most of your life, you may discover that blindness or low vision requires many changes in the way you manage your everyday life.
You may also feel overwhelmed as you deal with vision loss in addition to other changes associated with growing older. Losing your vision, however, does not have to mean giving up your independence or activities that you enjoy.
Asking for Help with Daily Living
Although having to ask for help can be a new and uncomfortable experience, it’s sometimes necessary to reach out for assistance to accomplish daily living tasks or ensure your personal safety.
Most people want to help if you’re clear about “how much” and “what kind” of assistance you need. Remember, too, that you’ve probably assisted many other people throughout the years – now it’s time to let others return the favor.
Low Vision Support Groups and Self-Study
You may find it helpful to share your feelings with a close family member or friend, a professional counselor, your family doctor, or a religious or spiritual leader.
You can also reach out to a consumer self-help support group, explore vision rehabilitation self-study courses, or speak with a professional staff member at your local vision rehabilitation facility. For more information about any of these options, see Self Study & Education.
Family & Friends
My family wants to help me, but they're doing too much. What should I do?
If your vision loss is recent, your family and friends may be fearful when you try to do daily living tasks on your own, such as climbing stairs, preparing meals, or using household appliances.
They may be overprotective or in “rescue” mode, regardless of the skills you’re still able to perform safely and independently.
Help Family and Friends Adjust to Your Vision Loss
Discuss the tasks you’re capable of handling alone or with minimal help, as well as the activities for which you require assistance.
In the beginning, you may have to keep reminding your family members and friends about your capabilities and lifetime of experience; remember, too, that it may be difficult for them to “let go” without feeling hurt or rejected.
It also helps if you take the time to explain why you’re able to see better on some days than on others; for example, perhaps you see better on cloudy days because the glare from the sun can temporarily “blind” you and affect your ability to function.
If you have age-related macular degeneration (or AMD), it’s helpful to explain that while you can’t see faces because of problems with your central (or straight ahead) vision, you can still walk outdoors safely because your peripheral (or side) vision is still intact and useful.
Your Vision Rehabilitation Options
For more information about vision rehabilitation options, including consumer self-help groups, vision rehabilitation self-study courses, or training at your local vision rehabilitation facility,
-even if you’re not sure these services can benefit you, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the range of rehabilitation options that are available locally.
What You Can Do to Cope with Vision Changes
Self-Assessment: Learning to Cope
When trying to decide what kinds of help and support you need, it’s helpful to first analyze the day-to-day problems you’re having that are – and are not – related to your vision loss:
- Which tasks can you still do independently?
- Which tasks can you do independently, but with difficulty?
- Which tasks require some assistance?
- Which tasks are you no longer able to do?
Be sure to include your family members and friends and ask if they have additional concerns or observations that you are not aware of.
Your Vision Rehabilitation Options
Try to make every effort to learn about the range of helpful resources in your community, such as senior centers, church groups, and adult education programs.
You can also reach out to a consumer self-help group, explore vision rehabilitation self-study courses, or speak with a professional staff member at your local vision rehabilitation facility.