About 50 million adults in the United States have some degree of vision loss, defined as at least “a little trouble seeing” while wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Whether you’ve been living with lifelong low vision or adjusting to more recent vision loss, the reality is that it can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or cooking more difficult. These organizations offer resources and support to help you live your day-to-day life and maintain as much independence as possible.
National Federation of the Blind
Since 1940, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has advocated for equal access to education, employment, and technology on behalf of people affected by blindness and low vision.
When it comes to practical support, the NFB helps people with vision impairment maintain their independence through the Free White Cane Program, which provides long white canes for those living with blindness or low vision, and the Free Slate and Stylus Program, which helps people with low vision take notes at school or work and keep them on hand.
If you’re local to the NFB headquarters in Baltimore, you can visit the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind, which offers technology evaluation, demonstration, and training opportunities for low-vision devices, and the Independence Market, which sells various assistive devices approved for people with low vision, such as magnifiers, talking clocks, and kitchen gadgets. Not local to Baltimore? You can still purchase products online from the e-commerce store or request a catalog to shop from by emailing independencemarket@nfb.org.
Contact your NFB state affiliate to learn more about additional resources near you.
Lighthouse Guild
Founded in 2013, Lighthouse Guild is an organization dedicated to providing services that help people with vision impairment reach their goals.
If you’re based near its headquarters in New York City, Lighthouse Guild provides access to local low-vision resources, such as assistive technology training, independent living skills programs, and reading services. The Lighthouse Guild also offers virtual services for people with low vision and their families, including an orientation and mobility workshop, support groups, and a book club.
To check out other resources from Lighthouse Guild, register for an informational session or email explore@Lighthouseguild.org. You can also follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) aims to improve quality of life among people with blindness or low vision, mainly through advocacy work and by working with organizations to increase access to audio content and other assistive technologies.
Along with offering a hub of educational resources, such as information about finding guide dogs and where to find sports programs or services, the ACG also offers a scholarship program for up to $7,500 for legally blind young adults entering or continuing their college education or technical college with financial needs. To reach the organization, email info@acb.org or call 800-424-8666.
