Additional Resources

Additional Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired

AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH VISION LOSS

  • ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation)

    • Falling under the New York State Education Department, ACESS-VR focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living.

  • American Council of the Blind 

    • The American Council of the Blind (ACB) advocates for equality of people who are blind or visually impaired, inspires community, and connects you with education, resources, and each other to support your independence.

  • HadleyHelps.org

    • HadLeyHelps provides practical, social, and emotional support for older adults adjusting to vision loss, empowering you to adapt and thrive.

  • Lions Clubs

  • National Federation of the Blind

    • Through their network of blind members, they coordinate many programs, services, and resources to defend the rights of blind Americans, provide information and support to blind children and adults, and build a community that creates a future full of opportunities.

  • New York State Commission for the Blind

    • The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind is to enhance employability, to maximize independence, and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.

SELF ADVOCACY

  • Join peer groups!  We cannot stress this enough. Hearing and learning from similarly situated individuals experiencing vision loss is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Take a look at our Vision Loss Services page here and scroll down to “Support Groups” to learn more.

  • Participate in pre-vocational trainings such as those offered through New York State’s ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) program!

  • Join online groups that focus on advocacy! Facebook groups are a great way to interact with and learn from others experiencing vision loss.

SUPPORT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

  • Are your friends and/or family having a tough time adjusting to your vision loss? Talking with other peers with vision loss that have experienced similar issues to you is one of the best ways to work through the adjustments vision loss can bring to relationships. Specifically, peer support groups welcome friends and family members, who can learn just as much as peers. 

    • At AURORA of CNY, we offer a variety of vision loss support groups - both in-person and virtual - to connect you with similarly situated individuals!

    • Learn more by visiting our vision services page here, then scrolling down to “Support Groups.”

TRANSPORTATION

  • Individuals who are blind or visually impaired are eligible for Centro’s Call A Bus service if they are within three quarters of a mile from a Centro bus line. This is a ride share program at low cost to peers that cannot drive due to vision loss. 

  • Many communities have local senior and medical transport that blind and visually impaired individuals can use within their communities at low cost. 

Additional Resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING LOSS

  • ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation)

    • Falling under the New York State Education Department, ACESS-VR focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living.

  • Deaf Coffee Syracuse

    • Local chapter of a national entity providing a directory of social places for deaf people to get together, chat, and enjoy! Students of ASL (American Sign Language), ASL interpreters and CODA (children of deaf adults) or relatives are welcome to join.

    • This is also a great opportunity for beginner to advanced American Sign Language (ASL) users to enhance their skills by interacting with Deaf people. 

  • Lions Clubs

  • National Association of the Deaf

    • The mission of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

  • Syracuse Deaf Club

    • Local organization providing a great opportunity to connect with others in the local Deaf and hard of hearing communities.