BLINDNESS

 GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

• SSI is paid to people with low or no income who have a physical or mental disability, including color blindness

• SSDI is paid to people who have worked and paid taxes into the system. With SSDI the amount of the benefit is based on your prior earnings. If you never worked, you cannot get SSDI, but you may still qualify for SSI.

 NATIONAL CHARITY RESOURCES

• The American Council of the BlindPromotes effective participation of blind people in all aspects of society.

• The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) serves as ambassadors and mentors for veterans and families facing sight loss.

• Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. We are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence.

•  Prevent Blindness Our mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight.

• The Seeing Eye is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to enhance the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of blind people through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs.

• Society for the Blind continues to create innovative ways to empower individuals living with low vision or blindness to discover, develop and achieve their full potential.
  

• Seva is a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight.

• JBI is a nonprofit organization that enables people of all ages and backgrounds who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled to connect to and participate fully in Jewish cultural, literary, educational, religious, and communal life.

• Helen Keller International is dedicated to eradicating preventable causes of blindness worldwide and empowering individuals with low vision to regain their sight.

• The American Foundation for the BlindProvides services, contacts and important information for people who are blind or visually impaired and their families, professionals, organizations, schools, and corporations.

• Sightsavers operates in over 30 countries, focusing on preventing avoidable blindness and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

• The National Federation of the BlindStrives to improve social and economic conditions of blind persons.The California Council of the BlindSince 1934, the mission of the California Council of the Blind is to gain full independence and equality of opportunity for all blind and visually impaired Californians.

LOCAL DFW

• Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth is to encourage and empower blind and significantly visually impaired children, youth, adults and seniors to achieve their highest level of independence through competitive employment, specialized training and client services (at no charge).

• Envision's  improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research.

• Dallas Area Council of the blind strives to better the lives of blind and visually impaired people in the Dallas metropolitan area through advocacy, education, cooperation and friendship.

• The Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program works with each child and family to create an individualized family service plan tailored to meet the child's needsThe Blindness Education, Screening and Treatment Program provides blindness education, vision screenings and urgent eye medical treatment services.

• The Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) program provides home and community-based services to people of all ages who have deafblindness (or have a condition that will result in deafblindness) and another disability. Services available include: adaptive aids; behavioral support; case management; chore services; day activity; dental; dietary; employment; intervener; minor home modifications; nursing; personal attendant; physical therapy; prescriptions; residential; respite; speech, hearing and language; transition assistance; and transportation

• Independent Living Services works with people who have significant disabilities to maximize their empowerment, independence and productivity through integration and full inclusion into society.