Resources for Vision Loss

Living with vision loss can be difficult. We understand you have questions and worries, so here are resources to help you with your vision loss. You don’t have to go through it alone. If you have any questions, please contact VRS directly:

Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia

Recent articles on Vision Loss, Vision Rehabilitation, Accessibility, Conditions that affect your vision, helpful resources AND Inspiring Stories. 

We offer speakers and in-service training on eye health, vision loss, vision rehabilitation, and the abilities & needs of people with vision loss.

Access technology training allows those with vision loss to be productive and efficient by using the most current technologies. 

Common Conditions that Affect Your Vision

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye. Learn more information that will help you be more educated and involved in your eye doctor’s treatment through diagnosis, surgery and recovery.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. It causes progressive damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Glaucoma is a condition that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It gets worse over time. Most people have no early symptoms. Visit your eye doctor regularly so they can diagnose and treat glaucoma before you have long-term vision loss. Learn more more about treatments and prevention.

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans – more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. Get healthy living tips and the latest information from researchers working to prevent, treat and cure macular disease.

Refractive errors happen when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina. This makes it difficult for the eyes to focus images clearly, and vision can become blurred and impaired. Refractive errors are corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

Diabetes Impact on Your Eyes

Uncontrolled diabetes can have a negative impact on your vision and cause damage to your eyes. Diabetes doesn’t affect only those individuals overweight or those who eat a lot of junk food or sugary drinks and meals. Diabetes can impact any race, any age, any income level…any person!

Other Helpful Vision Loss Organizations in Georgia

The Lighthouse is committed to filling the gaps that still exist for underinsured Georgians by providing access to low-cost vision and hearing services. They provide vision screenings, eye exams, eyeglasses, eye surgeries, and hearing aids to Georgia residents.

Eye Consultants of Atlanta have a charitable program in which surgeons and clinic professionals contribute their time and skills to perform cataract eye surgeries at no cost for Georgians who are living at or below the poverty level.

Georgia Tools for Life is dedicated to increasing access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for Georgians of all ages and disabilities so they can live, learn, work and play independently.

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency‘s mission is to help people with disabilities to become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment.

For individuals and organizations that want to help improve the health of their community – United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta is the platform that enables individuals, groups and companies to make a difference

National Vision Loss Organizations

American Council of the Blind offers a wide variety of programs and services to help people who are blind or visually impaired. Their mission is to increase the security, independence, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

American Foundation of the Blind‘s mission is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. They mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.

National Federation of the Blind coordinates programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans. They provide information and support to blind children and adults.

Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funder of retinal disease research. They provide information and outreach programs for patients, families and professionals.

Association of Blind Citizens is a membership organization of blind, legally blind persons, their friends and families, and other interested individuals who recognize the needs and issues affecting the blind community.

American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. Their mission is to protect sight and empower lives by serving as an advocate for patients and the public.

American Optometric Association provides information on eye health and vision topics, and helps you find a doctor of optometry near you.

Lighthouse International provides coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services directed at prevention, early detection and intervention of vision disorders.

National Eye Institute‘s mission is to conduct and support vision research and education programs that protect and prolong vision.

Low Vision in Children

Tips for Parents of Visually Impaired Children – If you’ve just learned that your child is visually impaired, you are probably trying to sort out how serious the problem is. Learn more about your child’s condition and treatment options.

Children’s Eye Foundation of aapos pairs children needing an eye exam with nearby pediatric ophthalmologists, also partnering with eyeglass companies and other organizations that provide any necessary follow-up care.

 

American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is a service agency which specializes in providing help to people who are blind which is not readily available to them from government programs or other existing service systems.

WonderBaby is dedicated to helping parents of children with visual impairments and disabilities. Database of articles written by parents who want to share with others what they’ve learned, links to meaningful resources, and ways to connect with other families.

Family Connect is a website created to give parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns.

Vision Loss Resources for Veterans

Blinded Veterans Association helps veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness. Services of BVA are available to all veterans who have become blind, either during or after active duty.

Disabled American Veterans is a nonprofit charity that provides support for veterans, their families, and survivors. Helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year.

National Association of Blind Veterans focuses on issues that particularly impact blind veterans. Their mission is to improve the overall condition and standard of being a Blind Veteran.

If you’re a Veteran or active-duty service member who is blind or has low vision, you may be able to get advanced vision care and rehabilitation services through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Audio Books, Publications, & Large Printed Materials

Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS) is Georgia’s premier provider of information for individuals who are visually-impaired or otherwise print-impaired. Every month, they broadcast and stream hundreds of programs including local and national newspapers, books, magazines, events, and employment opportunities.

National Library Service has free braille and audio books for people with blindness, temporary or permanent low vision, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, Items are delivered by postage-free mail or instantly downloadable.

People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading through Bookshare.

Choice Magazine Listening provides audio recordings of memorable articles, stories, interviews, essays and poems from outstanding current magazines, completely free of charge, to blind, visually impaired, physically disabled or dyslexic adults.

Free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that offers access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more.

Apps for Android and iPhone

Tap Tap See app to help listen to description of photo

Android & iPhone

Tap Tap See is designed to help the blind and visually impaired identify objects they encounter in their daily lives. Tap to take a photo, then listen to description.

cam scanner take pics of docs and it reads them aloud

Android & iPhone

Cam Scanner takes pictures of documents and reads aloud-or you can send it to your computer. Will scan receipts, recipes, documents, and more.

access eBooks or audiobooks library

Android & iPhone

Overdrive gives you access to eBooks, audiobooks, tv shows and movies from your local library. Change font size, margin, contrast and more to suit your style. App features includ your bookshelf, library websites, and bookmarks.

app for text to speech and facial recognition

iPhone

Text to speech camera and facial recognition. Seeing AI narrates the world around you. Designed for the blind and low vision community, this app harnesses the power of AI to open up the visual world and describe nearby people, text and objects.

LookTel-logo

iPhone

Look Tel aids persons with low vision or blindness with real-time recognition technology that enables users to scan and instantly recognize objects such as packaged goods, soda cans, money, CDs, and landmarks like signs and store fronts.

Radio & Podcasts

Blind and Beyond Radio Show is a fun, informative, and educational talk / variety show. Meet people from all over the world as they share their experiences. Showtime is every Sunday, 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Life After Blindness Podcast is dedicated to the exploration of an enabled life with blindness. They strive to be a great resource for the blind and visually impaired as well as their sighted friends and family.

Blind Abilities Podcast is a resource for Assistive Technology, Accessible Devices, Blind and Low Vision Technology, iPhone demonstrations, success Stories, Job Insights, College and Career Pathways and all with a Blindness Perspective.

That Blind Tech Show Podcast provides insights and professional opinions on the latest in accessible technology. They bring you the latest news and updates with a blindness perspective and a hint of humor as well.

Low Vision Living: Not Much Eyesight – Plenty of VISION! Podcast are the trials and triumphs of a quirky, mostly blind woman who has not much eyesight, but plenty of VISION!

Addiction Treatment for Individuals Blind or Deaf​

Addiction Treatment for Individuals Blind or Deaf – If you, or someone close to you, is struggling with addiction (and has deafness, hearing loss, blindness, or impaired vision), they can help you examine your options, from conventional, privately ran programs, to those that are tailored to fit the exact needs of your disability. 

Addiction Center – Persons with disabilities are substantially more likely to suffer from substance use disorders than the general population, and they are also less likely to receive treatment for them. Get confidential help 24/7.

Access and Inclusion through Art

ARTS | InCommunity partner with arts and cultural communities to provide individuals with diverse abilities access and inclusion in their communities through the arts.

5 Innovative Ways Art is becoming More Accessible to the Blind Community – Galleries and Museums aren’t always accessible to everyone, often excluding blind people and those with low vision from truly experiencing the art world. Luckily advocates have developed new solutions, creating tactile ways for art lovers to substitute sight for touch.

Articles on Low Vision, Eye Disease, Diagnosis, Treatment

EyeWiki – The Eye Encyclopedia written by Eye Physicians & Surgeons. View articles covering the vast spectrum of eye disease, diagnosis and treatment.