Vision Services
American Diabetes Association
937 N. High St.
Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-466-1917
1-888-342-2383
website
Provides information concerning diabetes, recipes and dietary information, prevention information, and community programs.
Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired
400 E. Campus View Blvd. SW3A
Columbus, Ohio 43235-4604
614-438-1255
1-800-282-4536
Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired helps Ohioans who have low vision and blindness succeed in the workplace.
BSVI also offers specific services to individuals with visual impairments. These services may include:
- adaptive communication instruction
- mobility instruction
- personal living skills training advice and assistance to families of students who are blind or visually impaired
- assistance to people who are over age 55, have severe visual impairments and need service to remain independent. (Refer to the Independent Living Program later in this section).
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
400 E. Campus View Blvd. SW3C
Columbus, Ohio 43235-4604
614-438-1250
1-800-282-4536
The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation provides services leading to employment for people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Types of services include:
- continuing education or specialized job training, including supplies and books
- work adjustment training
- tools and equipment, including assistive technology or adaptive devices/low vision aids which enable you to work
- on-the-job training
- job placement and follow-up
Because a person is expected to contribute to the cost of his or her program to the extent possible, you may be responsible for some of the costs of your rehabilitation plan. However, no one is ever turned away because of inability to pay.
Central Ohio Diabetes Association
1100 Dennison Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43201
614-884-4400
800-422-7946
website
Provides diabetes detection services and information for living with diabetes.
Cleveland Sight Center
University Circle
1909 East 101st Street
P. O. Box 1988
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-8696
216-791-8118
The programs at the Cleveland Sight Center are designed to let clients remove boundaries and achieve their goals. Nearly 150 specially trained staff members and more than 1600 dedicated volunteers provide programs designed to help individuals of all ages with vision impairment learn, work, play, and live independently.
Enrichment Audio Resource Service (EARS)
1-800-843-6816
The E.A.R.S. for Eyes program offers free cassette tapes for seniors with low vision. The tapes teach simple techniques in performing daily tasks for independent living.
Eye to Eye
Low Vision Educational Support Group, Inc.
A support group that meets in Marion, Ohio. (See Page 11-2 for further information or call 740-387-0163).
Foundation Fighting Blindness
11435 Cronhill Drive
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117-2220
1-800-683-5555
The urgent mission of The Foundation Fighting Blindness is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments, and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher Syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.
The Foundation has funded thousands of research studies at hundreds of prominent institutions. Call to get on the mailing list to receive materials about the latest progress in research.
Glaucoma Research Foundation
251 Post Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94108
1-800-826-6693
website
The Glaucoma Research Foundation’s mission is to preserve the sight and independence of individuals with glaucoma through research and education with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Hadley School for the Blind
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, Illinois 60093-2554
847-446-8111
1-800-323-4238
website
The Hadley School for the Blind offers more than 90 distance education courses to eligible students completely free of charge. You can select a wide variety of Hadley courses. Courses are available in Braille, cassette, large print and over the internet. You can study in the comfort of your own home at a time convenient to you. Course materials arrive in the mail, and for students in the United States and Canada, instructors are just a toll-free call away.
Independent Living Program
1-800-742-0570
This state wide program is an evaluation and training program for persons 55 and older who are visually impaired and want to be more independent in their homes.
A person is evaluated and trained by a certified Low Vision Therapist/Rehabilitation Teacher for the use of low vision and adaptive equipment aids that will enable the person to be more independent in reading, writing, personal management, and home management. In addition to the training, consumers will receive low vision and adaptive aids as a part of the program. Most services and aids are provided in the individual’s home, and are provided at no cost, but may be subject to the results of the required eye condition report from an optholmologist, optometrist, or physician. Depending on the level of sight loss, you may be required to receive service at the Vision Center located in Columbus.
Lighthouse International
111 East 59th Street
New York, New York 10022
212-821-9200
1-800-829-0500
website
Has free low vision resource pamphlets and other materials. Call to get on the mailing list for their newsletter “Sharing Solutions” which is available in large print or on cassette tape.
Ohio State School for the Blind
5220 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-752-1359
The Ohio State School for the Blind, a publicly funded educational facility, is dedicated to the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth of students with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities.
OSU College of Optometry
Low Vision Clinic
388 W. 10th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
614-292-2020
The OSU College of Optometry offers a Low Vision Clinic specifically designed for those with partial sight. Services include eye examinations as well as demonstration of magnifying devices that can improve functionality. Call for an appointment.
Prevent Blindness Ohio
1500 W. Third Ave., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43212
1-800-301-2020
614-464-2020
Fax: 614-481-9670
Email: info@pbohio.org
website
Offers a comprehensive selection of print and audio-visual materials dealing with all aspects of eye health and safety for use at home, work, school and leisure.
Provides vision training and screening programs to enable thousands of volunteers and providers of primary health care to detect potentially blinding eye diseases and refer individuals for professional treatment early, when it is most effective.
The Vision Care Outreach programs provide access to comprehensive donated eye care (eye exam, glasses and aftercare) for homeless and medically indigent children and adults.
Prospect Vision Care
Dr. Virginia Chetverichov
100 E. Water St.
Prospect, OH 43342
740-494-2999
“Dr. Ginny” is a low vision specialist.
Toledo Society for the Blind
The Sight Center
1819 Canton Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43624
419-241-1183
website
The Sight Center’s mission is to provide services that maximize the independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and minimize the incidence of blindness through education and prevention.
VA Visual Impairment Services Team – VIST
543 Taylor Ave.
Columbus, OH 43203
1-888-615-9448, Ext. 5470
This Low Vision & Blindness Service is a unique program serving visually impaired veterans and their families. These VA services may include vision rehabilitation, free vision aids, referrals to health care services, and financial benefits review. Visually impaired veterans who take advantage of the VIST program enjoy increased independence and confidence in their abilities. Any person who has been honorably discharged from the military, has been determined by a medical doctor to be legally blind (or recommended by VA eye doctor – visually impaired), and is eligible for VA services, is eligible for VIST.
To enroll in VIST, you will need to go to any VA facility and provide a copy of your military discharge papers. If you are not a Service Connected veteran, they will ask you to complete a financial statement to determine regular eligibility. You will be provided with a physical examination by a VA Primary Care doctor. If you have been determined legally blind by a private eye doctor and they say you make too much money to qualify, contact the Marion VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic at
740-223-8089, extension 5920 or 614-257-5200.
Vision and Vocational Services
1393 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201
614-294-5571
This agency (previously known as Vision Center of Central Ohio) provides comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise disadvantaged. The professional staff works with clients in the facility as well as in homes and on job sites to help persons increase independence and economic self-sufficiency. This includes a bioptic technique driver training course. Inquire about method of payment.