Associations and organizations that help people who are blind or visually impaired

Being blind or visually impaired presents many challenges throughout one’s life. There are many great associations and organizations that can help mitigate those challenges.  Whether fighting for equality of opportunity and accessibility, removing barriers, providing resources, or educating about prevention and treatment, these associations and organizations are the best at what they do. If you are blind or visually impaired, you should never hesitate to contact them for assistance. If you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, you can use this list as a resource to help answer any questions you might have. Here are eight associations and organizations that help people who are blind or visually impaired.

Organizations That Help People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired:

Sight Savers America

Sight Savers America is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals who are visually impaired or blind. Their mission encompasses providing cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive eye care, and educational support tailored to meet the unique needs of each person they serve. By focusing on innovative solutions and accessibility, Sight Savers America aims to empower those with visual impairments to achieve greater independence and improved quality of life.

American Council of the Blind (ACB)

Founded in 1961, the American Council of the Blind is made up of individuals who are blind and visually impaired, that want equality and independence. There are many sighted members as well. As stated on their homepage, their mission is “to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people.” To receive further information, click here.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

The American Foundation for the Blind prioritizes the following; providing resources for those with vision loss and their families, making technology more accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired, and helping professionals with impaired vision, by augmenting the tools and quality of information available to them. The AFB, whose main headquarters is located in New York City, has been around for a long time, having been founded in 1921. It has offices in Washington DC, West Virginia, and Georgia as well. You can contact them here.

Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)

The Blinded Veterans Association was founded at an Army hospital by a group of World War II veterans in 1945. It currently stands at more than 11,000 members. Its services are available to any veteran who has become blind during or after active duty. Its mission is to “help veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness.” Click here to learn more.

As a veteran, if you are covered by the VA Health Coverage there is a possibility that you can get your OrCam device fully funded. For more information please leave your contact details here.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Established in 1942, this guide dog school has campuses in California and Oregon. It was founded due to the need for service dogs to help those wounded who were coming back blind from World War II. Their mission to empower lives “by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities.” Click here for their contact information.

Foundation Fighting Blindness

This non-profit funds research relating to the prevention, treatment, and cures for all retinal degenerative diseases. These diseases include Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and more. Since its founding in 1971, it has raised more than $500 million. Click here to learn more.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

This charity offers support and information to nearly two million with sight loss in the United Kingdom. Queen Victoria was the first patron of this 150-year-old organization. More than 3000 volunteers support RNIB’s efforts. RNIB aims to challenge avoidable sight loss, improve eye health, and promote access to treatments. Click here for more information.

Lighthouse International

Lighthouse International is a leading worldwide resource in assisting the visually impaired overcome their challenges. Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International fights against vision loss by emphasizing empowerment, prevention, and treatment. You can help support them by becoming a volunteer or advocate. Click here to learn more about Lighthouse International.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

The National Federation of the Blind, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is the largest organization led by people who are blind in the USA, at about 50,000 active members. They participate in the World Blind Union, maintaining something of an international presence. They have a handy list on their website of products that make the world more accessible for those who are blind or visually impaired, including ones such as OrCam MyEye. Click here to learn more about this organization.

This is only a small sample size of the associations and organizations that help people who are blind and visually impaired. There are many more organizations that help people who are blind all over the globe. If there is a glaring omission on this list, please let us know in the comments section below.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, also known as the CNIB, was founded in 1918. The organization’s initial objective was to provide people who are blind and visually impaired with clothing, shelter, and education.

At its foundation, the organization started off with only twenty-seven employees serving 1,500 blind people, mostly in the Toronto area. Today, there are over 1,100 professionals and over 10,000 volunteers who work with the CNIB in every region in Canada.

Services provided by the CNIB include education, travel advice, emotional support, social issues, housing, finances, and many others. More information about what the CNIB offers and how to contact them can be found here.

VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers

In the US (and Puerto Rico) there are 13 Blind Rehabilitation Centers, where veterans are provided with comprehensive adjustment including different training and counseling to learn to cope with their new reality. 

Blind Rehabilitation Centers offer a variety of courses designed to help blind or visually impaired veterans achieve independence.

As a veteran, if you are covered by the VA Health Coverage there is a possibility that you can get your OrCam device fully funded. For more information please leave your contact details here.