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Blindness and Visually Impaired Web Links

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• AccessWorld: Technology and People with Visual Impairments
  AFB’s premiere technology publication AccessWorld is available online, in print and braille, and on cassette and ASCII disk.
  www.afb.org/aw/main.asp
  
  
• Adobe Acrobat Access
  Now there is a way for the blind to access Acrobat (PDF) documents: access.adobe.com available free from Adobe.
  www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

• American Council of the Blind
  This service provides general information about the Council including recent issues of our monthly publication, The Braille Forum.
  www.acb.org
  
  
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
  Every seven minutes, someone in America will become blind or visually impaired. Since 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)—to which Helen Keller devoted her life—has been eliminating barriers that prevent the ten million Americans who are blind or visually impaired from reaching their potential. AFB is dedicated to addressing the most critical issues facing this growing population: independent living, literacy, employment, and technology.
  www.afb.org
  
  

• AFB CareerConnect

  Developed by the American Foundation for the Blind, CareerConnect enables job seekers who are blind or visually impaired to learn about hundreds of specific careers; connect with prospective mentors who are visually impaired and working in a particular field of interest; create a professional, job-winning resume; find valuable interview techniques; learn about the latest technologies in use at various work sites; and more.

  www.afb.org/careerconnect/
  
  

• American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
  The mission of the American Printing House for the Blind is to promote the independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing special media, tools, and materials needed for education and life.
  www.aph.org
  
  

• Audio-Reader Network of Kansas
  Reads Newspapers, Books, and Magazines for the Print disabled.
  reader.ku.edu/
  
  

• Audio Yellow Pages
  Voice Access Communications announces the introduction of the Audio Yellow Pages service for the visually impaired. Individuals who are blind or visually impaired, who find it difficult to use the regular yellow pages, can use the Audio Yellow Pages by dialing a toll free number followed by a pass code. Callers can access the Audio Yellow Pages from anywhere in the US by dialing 888-654-1236. The service provides telephone access to a directory of over 10 million businesses in the United States. After dialing 888-654-1236, the system provides voice prompts as a guide to using the service. For additional information please dial 888-654-1236 and say ‘Demonstration’ for a complete demonstration of the Audio Yellow Pages service or dial 888-571-5857 to speak with an attendant.
  www.enablelink.com/audio_yellow_pages.htm
  
  

• Blind Leader Services
  Blind Leader Services provides you with resources for your SUCCESS!! Resources include Braille and Blind services and information. Dick and Scotty the Wonder Guide Dog also provide JAWS help on their web site.
  www.blindleader.com
  
  
• Bookshare.org
  Bookshare.org is a new Napster-like file sharing site for electronic books  already has 7500 titles -- including the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy -- and volunteers are scanning hundreds more each month. These electronic texts are particularly useful for people with vision impairments because they can be easily fed into text-to-speech software. There is a $25 sign up fee, and $50 for the annual subscription. You also have to prove you have a disability to do so; before using the site, you must submit a form certifying your disability. See:
  www.bookshare.org
  
  

• RJ Cooper and Associates
  RJ Cooper and Associates is a small development company that makes Software and Hardware for Persons with Special Needs including Blind Children. RJ Cooper and Associates also produce the world famous CooperCar.
  rjcooper.com
  
  

• EnableLink 
  EnableLink is a new online community just for visually impaired adults and their families. On our pages you will find breaking news, music reviews, lifestyle articles, technology features and much more.
  www.enablelink.com
  
  
• Envision
  Envision is a private, not-for-profit agency that offers choices and resources for people who are blind or low vision. Envision has facilities in Wichita, Kansas City, and Pittsburg, Kansas. Envision was formerly know as Wichita Industries & Services for the Blind.
  www.envisionus.com
  
  
• For The People
  For The People, where friendship and tolerance are key ingredients for fun and rewarding conversations. You will find a wealth of friendship, support, technical assistance, educational opportunities; a variety of intriguing stores and services; many links to interesting or useful  web accessible sites and programs; but most important, you're going to meet lots of other great people just like yourself. While open to everybody there are chat rooms and lots of links for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  http://for-the-people.com
  
  
• Fred's Head Database
  Fred's Head Database is an accessible, on-line catalog of useful tips, techniques, and resources for the blind and visually impaired. The heart of this catalog is drawn from the experience of American Printing House for the Blind's Fred Gissoni.
  www.aph.org/fh/index.html
  
  
• Freedom Box
  Freedom Box Launches Internet Service for the Blind. The Freedom Box is a voice-controlled Internet access device. It combines the power of a top-of-the-line audio output interface with high quality voice recognition to give users the power to control a properly equipped personal computer using nothing but voice commands. The brains of Freedom Box are contained in "Freedom Box PC" our software package that can be loaded onto any suitably configured computer. Freedom Box SA is our complete hardware/software package that is pre-loaded with Freedom Box PC software and ready to access the Internet as soon as it is plugged into an electrical outlet and a telephone or broadband connection. Freedom Box connects to the Internet through a portal called Freedom Box Network.
  www.freedombox.info/
  
  
• Fritz Canes, Hat and Waistband Stretcher, Cane Tips
  Offers canes and cane accessories including adjustable canes, elegant, aluminum, long, silver, and travel canes.
  http://canemart.com/
  
  
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
  Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a mission to provide Guide Dogs and training in their use to visually impaired people throughout the United States and Canada.
  www.guidedogs.com/
  
  
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
  Guiding Eyes for the Blind offers visually impaired men and women greater mobility, dignity and independence through partnership with professionally trained guide dogs.
  www.guiding-eyes.org/
  
  

• Independent Living Aids
  Independent Living Aids is proud to be the oldest privately owned national distributor of aids to people who are visually handicapped. Independent Living Aids catalog includes the fine line of products from the British Royal National Institute for the Blind.
  www.independentliving.com
  
  

• Innoventions, Inc.
  Innoventions has making the Magni-Cam handheld electronic magnifiers for people with low vision since 1990, and has sold many thousands throughout world. Innoventions products were awarded the Canadian National Institute for the Blind's Winston Gordon Award for Technological Advancement in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment in 1997.
  www.magnicam.com/
  
  

• Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) 
  The Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) is the international, interdisciplinary journal of record on blindness and visual impairment that publishes scholarship and information and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas, airing of controversies, and discussion of issues.
  www.afb.org/jvib/main.asp
  
  

• Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB)
  www.kssb.net/
  
  

• Kansas Talking Books Service
  The Kansas Library Network Talking Books Service in cooperation with the Library of Congress, National Library Service, provides library services and materials to Kansans unable to use conventional print.
  http://skyways.lib.ks.us/KSL/talking/ksl_bph.html

• Lighthouse International - Hope When Vision Fails
  Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives.
  www.lighthouse.org/
  
  
• LS&S Group
  LS&S Group has Products for Persons With Disabilities. Specializing in products for the Visually & Hearing Impaired
  www.lssgroup.com
  
  
• Manhattan Public Library - Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
  Manhattan, Kansas Public Library is one of 143 sites in the United States for the Library of Congress National Library Service for print disabled persons. It is funded annually by the U.S. Congress, and by state and local governments. This free library service is available for those who are unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical impairments. Braille and recorded books, magazines, and playback equipment are loaned without charge to eligible patrons.
  www.manhattan.lib.ks.us/bph.html

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
  The ultimate purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is the complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality.  
  www.nfb.org/
  
  

• National Federation of the Blind (NFB) NEWSLINE
  The NFB-NEWSLINE is a free service to those cannot read regular newsprint! The NFB-NEWSLINE user can easily choose which newspaper, section, and article to read with the use of a standard touch-tone phone. The NFB-NEWSLINE provides national and local newspapers (888-882-1629).
  www.nfb.org/newsline1.htm
  
  

• National Federation of the Blind of Kansas
  The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas was organized in 1969. National Federation of the Blind of Kansas mission is to change what it means to be blind. The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas is the Kansas state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, which is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas emphasis is the education of blind people. The National Federation of the Blind of Kansas highly promotes the use of Braille and offers scholarships, as well as hold an annual Braille reading contest.
  www.nfbks.org
  
  

• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
  NLS administers a free library program of braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries.
  www.loc.gov/nls
  
  
• NYISE Blindness Resource Center
  The  NYISE (New York Institute for Special Education) Blindness Resource Center web site is a major collection of disability links.
  www.nyise.org/blind.htm
  
  
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)
  Providing services for nearly half a century, RFB&D is a national nonprofit organization that serves people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.
  www.rfbd.org/
  
  

• Sendero Group
  Sendero Group produces GPS for the BrailleNote products as well as distributing the BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Miniguide, i.d. Mate, Nuance Talks and Tissot Silen-T watch.
  www.senderogroup.com
  
  

• Solutions for Humans
  With Solutions for Humans All Things Are Possible. Solutions for Humans philosophy when working with customers is not to sell, but rather, to find the solution that is most likely to solve your problem or address your comfort issue. Solutions for Humans remains the premier source of solutions, consulting, training, evaluation and implementation of solutions for individuals and organizations addressing sight loss, physical impairment, ergonomic issues, communication and hearing disorders.

  www.sforh.com
  
  

• TalkingThermostats.com

  TalkingThermostats.com provides comfort solutions for seniors and persons who are blind, visually impaired or disabled

  www.talkingthermostats.com
  
  

• Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Talking Books
  The mission of the Talking Book Service of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is to provide free recorded materials, playback equipment and information / referral services to residents of a fourteen county area in Northeast Kansas. Services are provided to those, who because of a visual or physical disability, are unable to read standard print as certified by an accepted authority. Materials are circulated through free mail service or by visits to our Talking Book Library. Toll-free telephone services are available.
  www.tscpl.org/services/talkingbooks/index.asp
  
  
• VisionConnection
  Your connection to vision information and an accessible community for people who are partially sighted or blind.
  www.visionconnection.org 
  
  
• Western Kansas Talking Books
  Western Kansas Talking Books is a division of the Kansas State Library Talking Book Program in Emporia, Kansas, and the Northwest Kansas Library System. Talking Book machines, books, and information are sent to talking book patrons of thirty-three counties in western Kansas from the center located in Norton, Kansas.
  skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/nwkls/howard/bph.html