**Disclaimer** This is not an exhaustive list of all resources available, it is meant to provide a starting point for the reader. The CICBVI does not endorse any individual company, organization, or website above the others. Each is listed for the benefit of consumers and it is their responsibility to make the decision best suited to their needs. Please email info@cicbvi.org to suggest other relevant resources.
Advocacy Groups
- American Council of the Blind
- Illinois Council of the Blind
- National Federation of the Blind
- Two Blind Brothers
In business to cure blindness - Penny Forward
Organization is a financial literacy and advocacy organization, and simplifies Social Security for the blind community
Blogs About Blindness
- 7 Warning Signs Your Child May Have a Vision Problem
- Accessibility Apps for People with Disabilities
Blog post lists apps for people with visual, hearing, and speech impairments. - Fred’s Head from American Printing House for the Blind
Blog that “contains tips, techniques, tutorials, articles, and resources for and by people with visual impairments. - Navigating the Internet for the Visually Impaired
- VisionCenter Your informational center for all things eye care & health, vision correction & optometry
Braille
Education
Birth to Grade 12
- Active Learning Space
Dr. Lilli Nielsen gives examples of ways to change the environment to promote active learning in children. - Audio Enhanced iBooks
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Milestone Project
- Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Hub
- Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Blog by APH
- Early Intervention Visual Impairment Professionals
- Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia
- Magic Foundation
Answers questions about childhood growth - National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH)
- National Center on Deaf-Blindness
- Paths to Literacy
- Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation
- Perkins School for the Blind eLearning
- Reading Rockets
- Strategy to See
Website for those who work with people with cerebral/cortical visual impairment - Tar Heel Books
- The Literacy Bug
- West Virginia Department of Education Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment Training
- Wonderbaby
Post Grade 12
- 21 Tips for Promoting Independence in Adults with a Disability
- 100+ Great Jobs for People with Disabilities to Get You Out and Earning
- Career Guide for People with Disabilities
Great resource that includes how to search for jobs, knowing your rights as a person with a disability, careers, job sites, and a number of other resources!
Financial Aid & College Scholarship Information for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Local and State Resources
- 2-1-1 for Heart of Illinois
- Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
- Child and Family Connections #14
- City of Peoria
- Educational Center for the Visually Impaired – Springfield IL
- Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center
- Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Offers free classes for youth and adults, both sighted and visually impaired, in a variety of subject areas to address the expanded core curriculum. - Hines Veterans Administration Hospital — Central Blind Rehabilitation Center
Center-based blind rehabilitation program for veterans experiencing vision loss or blindness. - Illinois Assistive Technology Program
- Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
- Illinois Early Intervention Vision Service Guidelines
- Illinois Early Learning Project
- Illinois Eye Center
- Illinois Department of Human Services — Bureau of Blind Services
- Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness
- Illinois State Library Talking Books and Braille Service
- LIFE Center for Independent Living (CIL)
- Rockford Sight & Hearing Center
- Second Sense (formerly Guild for the Blind)
- Second Sense Support Groups
Second Sense helps individuals experiencing vision loss and their families locate support groups in their area and also offer some groups that allow for a “call-in” option. - Spectrios Institute for Low Vision
- Tazewell County Resource Center (Sight Center)
- Web Tech Services, Inc.
Web Tech Services donates it’s time to manage and ensure accessibility of our website.
Products
- American Foundation for the Blind
- American Printing House for the Blind
- independent living aids, inc.
- LS & S Group
- Magnified Vision
Magnified Vision sells and supports video magnifiers across the state of Illinois. It is also home of The View Pointe Store where people can shop (and test out) a wide selection of daily living items. For more information, click the link above. - MaxiAids
- Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA)
FREE “screen reader” open source software for people with low vision/blindness that allows the user to access text on a computer screen. - Window-Eyes
FREE and functional license of Window-Eyes screen reader software for those who own a licensed version of Microsoft Office 2010 or later. For those with an unlicensed version, Window-Eyes will run in a restricted 30-minute demonstration mode.
Transportation
- Benefit Access/Free Ride Program
- CityLink
Peoria area Public Transportation system - Miller Senior Center
Provides door-to-door transportation to older adults living in Tazewell County. - Travel Tips for the Elderly and Disabled
- We Care
Their service area includes “Morton, Rural Tazewell County and Woodford County. Transportation is available for medical appointments, employment, grocery shopping, and hospital or nursing home visits.