Resources

211 PALM BEACH & TREASURE COAST24-HOUR HOTLINE
211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast’s mission is to save and improve lives through crisis intervention and by connecting people to health, mental health, and wellness services 24 hours a day every day.
Phone: 866-882-2991
www.211palmbeach.org

ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR THE DISABLED: Rehab Centers For The Deaf And Blind 
The care team at Regard Healthcare is available 24/7. Contact one of our admissions specialists today to get care for yourself or a loved one.
Phone: 888-341-4325
https://www.rehabcenter.net/rehab-for-deaf-and-blind/

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (ABD) – STATE OF FLORIDA
The APD serves more than 50,000 Floridians with disabilities and works with local communities and private providers to support individuals and their families in living, learning, and working in their communities. APD also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services so they can reach their full potential.
Phone: (850) 488-4257 or toll-free: 866-273-2273
Email: APD.info@apdcares.org
https://apd.myflorida.com/about/

AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (they have a GREAT RESOURCES PAGE)
ACB’S mission is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.
Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, Swatha Nandhakumar  snandhakumar@acb.org
General EMAIL: info@acb.org
Phone: 202-467-5081 / 800-424-8666
https://www.acb.org 

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND 
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that creates a world of no limits for people who are blind and low vision. AFB mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data.
Phone: 800-392-3305
www.afb.org

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND INC.
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.
Phone: 800-223-1839
www.aph.org

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF-BLIND 
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803
TTY Phone: 301-495-4402
Videophone: 301-563-9064
Voice Phone: 301-495-4403
Email: aadb-info@aadb.org
Website: aadb.org 

ANN MORRIS ENTERPRISES CATALOG (for independent living aids)
Phone: 800-454-3175

THE ARC
The Arc of Palm Beach County has training, classes and services, including: Training and support for individuals with disabilities to live independently in the community, residential services, employment services, Seniors in Retirement/Transition Services, technology training, specialized training, Artisan programs, recreational programs, and much more.
Phone: 561-842-3213
arcpbc.org

AREA AGENCY ON AGING
Phone: 561-648-5885

AURORA MINISTRIES
Phone: 941-748-3031

AUDIOLOGY WITH A HEART
Phone: 561-802-3350

BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE (MIAMI)
Phone: 800-329-7000
https://umiamihealth.org/bascom-palmer-eye-institute

BE MY EYES (FREE CELL PHONE APP)
Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call.
Contact: sales@bemyeyes.com
Website: www.bemyeyes.com/

BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
https://bva.org/
Florida chapter: Darryl Goldsmith
850-554-7819
BlindMarinevet@gmail.com
Florida Regional Group: Carlos Pere
813-486-4817
Pere0608@gmail.com

BOOKSHARE
Bookshare is FREE for qualified U.S. students of any age and schools through an award from OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education). It is the world’s largest online digital library, offers more than 60,000 books and 150 periodicals in downloadable digital and refreshable braille formats to qualified members.
In 2007 Hadley and Bookshare.org initiated a partnership to provide free membership to all visually impaired U.S. Hadley learners and a discounted membership for non-U.S. Hadley learners. This strategic collaboration will extend the reach of both organizations and provide a broad range of learning and reading materials to people who are print disabled. At this time, most of Hadley’s supplemental course material has been added to the library.
Phone: 650-352-0198, Monday through Friday from 5AM to 5PM Pacific Time.
https://www.bookshare.org/

BRAILLE CLUB
Phone: 561-585-2301

BRIGHT FEATS
Bright Feats was established in 2007 by parents of children that had special needs and grew to include training, hiring, and working with adults with different abilities making it revolutionary for its time. Bright Feats has become a household name in many markets in Florida and is now expanding to areas nationwide.
(407) 951-6117
Email: Admin@BrightFeats.com
Website: https://www.brightfeats.com/about-us

CAROLYN’S PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Phone: 800-648-2266
https://www.lionsvisionresource.org/resources/carolyns-low-vision-products/

COALITION FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING OPTIONS, INC.
4400 N. Congress Ave Ste 201, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 966-4288
Website: https://www.cilo.org/services
CILO is a non-profit, client-directed civil rights organization for children and adults with all types of disabilities. Incorporated in 1990, CILO primarily serves Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.
CILO offers Five Core Services where direct provision is carried out to people with disabilities: advocacy, independent living skills training, peer counseling, transition services for youth and information & referral services. These services are provided for FREE to roughly 5,100 consumers per year with a 90% success rate.

• Financial Assistance
• Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance for Families with a family member that has a disability
• Senior Rent & Utility Assistance
• Crime Victim Services Program
• General Advocacy services, which includes: Voter Access, Disability Accommodation Request Assistance, Disability Discrimination Complaint Assistance, Fair Housing Assistance, and providing the community with Disability Sensitivity & Disability Law Trainings.
• Food Assistance through Monthly Food Pantry Assistance w
• Our Independent Living Services cover many different direct services including application assistance for Food Stamp, Medicaid, and Medicare Premium Waivers, Transportation (Palm Tran Connection), and other applicable service applications identified by the individual’s unique needs. This program also offers Independent
• Living Skills Training, Social Skills Coaching & Peer Support Groups, Job-Readiness Skills Training, American Sign Language Classes, Financial Literacy Classes, Computer Classes, and Information & Referrals to Community Resources.
• Equipment Lending & Recycling Program \provides Adaptive, Durable Medical Equipment
• The Youth Service Programs include Holiday Camps for Youth & Young Adults of Transition Age (14-26)
• Educational Advocacy program assists students with disabilities to ensure they get a free and appropriate public education by providing support and accommodations needed to get the best learning experience possible.
• The Social Security Disability Program specialist provides Denial Appeals all the way up to District Court as well as Overpayment Assistance, and assistance Navigating Social Security Programs such as ticket to work, death benefits, and basic information on retirement benefits.
• Training & Technical Assistance to the Community by providing Disability Sensitivity Training, Disability Law Training, Crime Victims with Disabilities Training,

CULTURE FOR KIDZ
631 US Hwy 1, Suite 310, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
561-552-9019
Email: RosinaLacomb@cultureforkidz.org
Website: https://cultureforkidz.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565883190084
Culture for Kidz is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of underprivileged and disadvantaged children by providing memorable experiences attending cultural performances and sporting events. Our mission is to stimulate each child’s development of positive attitudes and a desire for a brighter more promising future while broadening their horizons through enjoyable experiences.

DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES
The Florida Division of Blind Services helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve their goals and live their lives with as much independence and self-direction as possible. To apply for services you must first download and complete the Application for Services Form and submit it to your nearest Division of Blind Services office.
(850) 245-0300 or Toll Free: (800) 342-1828
https://dbs.fldoe.org/

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we have 10 regional offices located across the country. We leverage a tremendous capacity to coordinate within the federal government to make sure America is equipped to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Phone: 800-323-8603
https://www.fema.gov/

FLORIDA BUREAU OF BRAILLE & TALKING BOOKS LIBRARY
Phone: 800-226-6075
https://dbs.fldoe.org/library/

FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE BLIND
1411 NE 22nd Avenue, Ocala, FL  34470
Phone: 352-873-4700
Fax: 352-873-4751​
Website: https://flblind.org/
We provide life-changing vision rehabilitation services in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion & Union Counties.​ ​​ Florida Center for the Blind (FCB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that lights the pathway to independence for blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages. We provide life-changing training and support while increasing vision awareness in the sighted world.

FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
The Florida Council of the Blind (FCB), a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), is a statewide organization of blind people working to make life better through public education, legislative actions, and providing a statewide information and referral service through Project Insight. Established in 1953, the Florida Council of the Blind (FCB) is the largest self-advocacy and support group of its kind in the state with many local chapters and several special interest affiliate groups, including a Chapter of At-Large Members (CALM) for those who are in an area where there is no local chapter.
PHONE: 800-267-4448 (or 386-763-3836)
Email: floridacouncil@comcast.net WEBSITE:  https://www.fcb.org/

Phone: 1-877-428-8844 or 561-355-4700
810 Datura Street, West Palm Beach
https://www.rentalassistancepbc.org/
Many community service programs, including helping people find housing and senior services and veteran services. Assistance with urgent eviction matters, financial assistance for utilities, water assistance program, services for the homeless, TRAINING PROGRAMS.

FLORIDA OUTREACH CENTER FOR THE BLIND, INC.
President, Rick Troiano
Florida Council of the Blind
561-236-7427
Rtroi1@bellsouth.net
Phone: 561-642-0005
2315 South Congress Avenue, Palm Springs, FL 33406
Email: Info_FOCB@bellsouth.net
Website: http://blindfocb.org
Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/FOCBInc/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlaOutreachCtr

FLORIDA READING & VISION TECHNOLOGY
For low vision aids providing magnification, contrast, and lighting to help you or a loved one
Phone: 800-981-5119
https://floridareading.com/

FLORIDA SOCIETY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is a nonprofit medical society focused on protecting the medical specialty of ophthalmology. The FSO represents more than 500 physician members in the state and provides continuing medical education for physicians and other healthcare professionals to advance patient care in the realm of ophthalmology.
Phone: (904) 998-0819
www.mdeye.org

FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS
Today, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funder of retinal disease research. That funding has been a driving force behind the progress toward cures, including the identification of more than 270 genes linked to retinal disease, and the launch of over 40 clinical trials for potential treatments. On an annual basis, the Foundation Fighting Blindness funds more than 93 research grants. The research projects are conducted by more than 96 research investigators at 71 institutions, eye hospitals, and universities in the United States. The Foundation funding extends internationally to laboratories in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland.
Phone: 954-888-9996
https://www.fightingblindness.org/

FREEDOM GUIDE DOGS
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind is a non-profit organization located in Upstate, N.Y. which was founded in 1992 by husband and wife team, Eric and Sharon Loori. Freedom Guide Dogs breeds, raises, trains and places successful working guide dogs with the blind and visually impaired through a distinctive program called Hometown Training at no cost to the blind or visually impaired individual. Being a non-profit organization we rely on our generous donors, staff, puppy raisers, volunteers, board of directors and our amazing clients that we have the honor to serve.
Phone: 315-822-5132
https://freedomguidedogs.com/

FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC
For over 20 years Freedom Scientific has provided access to print and computers for individuals with blindness and low vision. Our innovative technology is designed to promote independence, allowing blind and low vision individuals the same access to information as their sighted peers. Our team is passionate about what we do and committed to the communities that we serve.
Phone: 800-444-4443
www.freedomscientific.Com

HADLEY
A non-profit organization founded in 1920, Hadley’s mission is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness. They have many free resources, along with seminars, classes, training and podcasts on all kinds of topics, such as: braille, independent living, and various technology. And you don’t need to come to Hadley. Hadley’s help comes to you; online, on the phone, or through the mail.
Phone: 800-323-4238
https://hadley.edu/

HELEN KELLER INSTITUTE
Headquarters Phone: 516-944-8900, ext 1299
Email: hkncinfo@hknc.org
Website: https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/

HOMES FOR THE BLIND
https://www.acb.org/homes-blind

HOWE PRESS/PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Phone: 617-924-3434
www.Perkinsproducts.Org

HUMANWARE, INC.
www.Humanware.Com/Newstream

INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS INC PRODUCTS CATALOG (independent living aids)
Phone: 800-537-2118

KLAS
Phone: 800-222-9711
www.Klas.Com/Talkingbooks/Florida

LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND, INC.
Phone: 888-777-5332

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Phone: 888-657-7323

LS&S 
LS&S specializes in products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard of hearing. Here you will find a great collection of low vision aids, hearing helpers, daily living aids, and information designed to help you or a loved one regain independence. Phone: 800-468-4789
https://lssproducts.com/

MAE VOLEN SENIOR CENTER
Providing services, support and information to seniors and their families
Phone: 561-395-8920
Location: Boca Raton
https://volencenter.com/

MAGNIFY AMERICA
Phone: 954-629-2977

MAXI-AIDS PRODUCTS
Phone: 800-522-6294
www.Maxiaids.Com

NAMI PALM BEACH COUNTY
https://namipbc.org – SEE RESOURCES page.
The Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities Program (Section 811) is a federal program dedicated to developing and subsidizing rental housing

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Florida division: http://nfbflorida.org/
Leonardo Baines, President, PALM BEACH CHAPTER
1240 South Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach,
651-704-4226
LaBaines@bellsouth.net
State of Florida Affiliate
Jorge Hernandez, president, 305-877-2311
President@nfbflorida.org
410-659-9314
Email: Education@NFB.org
Website: https://nfb.org/

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NIHSeniorHealth Website
NIHSeniorHealth helps seniors with low vision learn about maintaining independence. The Internet is increasingly becoming a source that older Americans use to research everything from hobbies to health. In response, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) have developed the NIHSeniorHealth Website.
This interactive site was designed specifically with the needs of older adults in mind, and includes large-print materials, relevant information, and features that are easy to use. In an effort to increase awareness among older Americans about Low Vision and the benefits of vision rehabilitation, NIHSeniorHealth includes user-friendly information, frequently asked questions and other resources to help seniors with low vision learn more about maintaining an active and independent lifestyle.
NIA and NLM are parts of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://nihseniorhealth.gov

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
Phone: 800-424-8567
www.Loc.Gov/Nls/Index.Html

OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
NICOLE SHEHAN – NShehan@pbc.gov 
215 North Olive Ave., WPB, FL 33401
561-355-4883
Equal Opportunity Director: Pamela Guerrier
561-355-4884
PGuerrie@pbcgov.org

PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES/HUMAN SERVICES 
561-355-4775
EMAIL: cbenitez@pbcgov.org
To provide, serve, and educate eligible residents of Palm Beach County through case management, social services, advocacy and community linkage thereby empowering the individual/family to improve their quality of life.  Palm Beach County Division of Human Services offers services within four (4) Program Components: Emergency, Self-Sufficiency, Intervention and Homeless Services.

PALM BEACH COUNTY LIBRARY ANNEX
Phone: 561-649-5500
4639 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, Florida 33463
https://www.countyoffice.org/palm-beach-county-library-annex-lake-worth-fl-247/

PALM BEACH VETERANS AFFAIRS
561-422-5284
https://www.va.gov/west-palm-beach-health-care/contact-us/

PALM TRAN CONNECTION TRANSPORTATION (PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA)
The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind (FOCB) has partnered with Palm Tran Connection, a shared ride door-to-door paratransit service with more than 2,983 bus stops in Palm Beach County. Transportation is available to our Center in Palm Springs. NOTE: FOCB can provide eligible students with FREE tickets for roundtrip transport to our Center. All buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps and many with special mechanical lifts. Drivers to our center are specially-trained by FOCB in dealing with those who are blind or visually-impaired.
For eligibility and an application, call Palm Tran Eligibility Department:
561-649-9838, Option 7, or toll-free: 877-870-9849
https://www.palmtran.org/

PILOT DOGS, INC.
Phone: 614-221-6367

RECORDING FOR THE BLIND & DYSLEXIC
Phone: 866-732-3585
www.Rfbd.Org

SEEING EYE GUIDE DOGS, INC
Phone: 973-539-4425

SOUNDS OF HOPE, INC. – OFFERING HOPE THROUGH MUSIC
The mission of Sounds of Hope, a not-for-profit corporation, is to provide information about music therapy and its value in caring for people who are seriously ill or disabled, and who are living in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. Music therapy offers hope to those who are seriously impaired and to their families, helping them know that love never loses its power to unite and to enrich and to heal.
Email: Carlos@musicishope.org
Website: http://www.musicishope.org

SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS, INC.
Phone: 800-944-3647

UNITED WAY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
To ensure that everyone in Palm Beach County has access to the basics: a quality education, a place to live, financial stability, good medical care, and enough to eat.
477 South Rosemary Avenue, #230, WPB 33401
Phone: 561-375-6600
https://unitedwaypbc.org/

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Phone: 800-647-8733

VERIZON CENTERS FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES
1-800-974-6006 (Voice/TTY)

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Phone: 800-488-8244