FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

“What does AURORA of CNY do for the blind and visually impaired?”

• We provide a wide range of services and programs including orientation & mobility training, multiple regional and online support groups, training in aids and devices, and more! Visit our Vision Services page here to learn about all the ways we support you through your vision loss journey.

“What do your legally blind services entail?”

• The goal of our legally blind services is to increase your ability to live independently with vision loss. That can include cane training, cooking training and cooking equipment, marking areas of the home, and other training on how to perform daily tasks with low or no vision. We also offer peer support groups that meet monthly and discuss ways of coping with vision loss while enjoying a full life with minimal restriction.  We have a full-time Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist to assist in training you to safely navigate your surroundings with confidence. You can also receive everyday items such as needle threaders, notepads, pens, signature helpers, and more. For a complete list of the ways we can support your vision loss journey, please visit our Vision Services page here.

“What do your visually impaired services entail?”

• You will sit down with our visually impaired representative and review the wide range of equipment we offer that could improve your independent living. While subject to availability, our equipment can include magnifiers, readers, special protection sunglasses, and more.

“How do I know if I qualify for your legally blind services?”

• Every situation is unique, but we will do our best to lay out some of the most common paths below.

  • If your eye doctor has declared you legally blind, you are 55 years of age or older, you live in Onondaga, Oswego, or Cayuga Counties; and are unemployed, please have your eye doctor send us a referral with your latest eye exam results. Please have the eye doctor fill out and return this referral form here to Angela DeFrancis at adefrancis@auroraofcny.org or via fax at 315-422-7263.

  • If you are younger than 55 years old, live outside of Onondaga, Oswego, or Cayuga counties, or working; please contact our local New York State Commission for the Blind District Office at 315-423-5417 or visit their website here. If appropriate, the commission will then refer you to us.

  • Unsure where you land or how to start? Contact our Blind Services Intake Worker Angela DeFrancis at adefrancis@auroraofcny.org.

“I haven’t been declared legally blind, but I am visually impaired. Do I qualify for your services?”

• Absolutely! We provide services to the visually impaired as well as those with a dual diagnosis (vision and hearing). There are no age restrictions on our visually impaired services, no employment restrictions, an eye doctor’s referral is not mandatory (but still preferred - download the form for your doctor here), but you must live in Onondaga, Oswego, or Cayuga County.

“I can no longer drive, will you come to my home to provide services?”

• Yes, we provide in-home assessments. To schedule, please email us here.

“Will my insurance cover any of the magnifiers or other assistive devices?”

• Generally speaking, the answer is no, insurance will not cover these as durable medical devices. However, if an individual is declared legally blind, the New York State Commission for the Blind will cover a certain dollar amount for devices every two years.

“How long do I have to wait after the intake process to receive adaptive aids and services from the rehabilitation teacher?”

• Depending on caseload, this generally takes four to six weeks.

“I cannot afford these devices - are there any other options for me?”

• Yes, AURORA of CNY has a large donation inventory and, at times, grant funds to assist our low-income population.

“Can I work again or for the first time with vision loss?”

• Yes! We have programs that will prepare peers to work with vision loss, and placement programs that assist peers with job searches, interviewing skills, resume preparation and placement. We also offer work experience trainings for youth. Paid internships over the summer offer youth resume building experiences and lead to career development. 

• Learn more about all these by contacting our Blind Services Coordinator, Susan Gray, at sgray@auroraofcny.org.

"I’m in an Assisted Living Program (ALP) - how do I know if I qualify for your services?”

• Please have your eye doctor fill out and return this referral form here to our Blind Services Intake Worker Angela DeFrancis at adefrancis@auroraofcny.org.

“I’m in an Assisted Living Program (ALP) and I’ve been approved for your services. How long can I receive services from AURORA of CNY?”

• Our services are short-term interventions meant to help keep people independent. Once our services with you are completed, you may reopen them again in two years. However, if your vision has changed or your living situation has changed, we will request a waiver from the New York State Commission for the Blind to reopen your case sooner. Otherwise, if both your vision and living situation remain the same for two years, we will reach out to you again once the two years have elapsed from the closure date of your services to resume services. For more information, please reach out to our Blind Services Intake Worker Angela DeFrancis at adefrancis@auroraofcny.org.