LOW VISION ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a sampling of some of the low vision organizations that can offer resources, assistance, and education to eyecare professionals and/or patients.

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is committed to the development of conference environments that encourage education, networking, and training for professionals and vendors in the industry.

ATIA conferences provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about new assistive technology products and services and are a forum for professional presentations and discussions on a wide variety of topics.

To find out more about the next ATIA conference, ATIA members and their products, and other services, contact:
Phone: 877-687-2842
Website: www.ATIA.org
Email: ATIA@northshore.net.

Low Vision Division of The Vision Council

The Vision Council's Low Vision Division works to raise awareness of low vision rehabilitation among eyecare providers, as well as visually impaired consumers and their caregivers, through education programs, marketing materials, research, and advocacy outreach.

To learn more, contact The Vision Council:
Website: www.thevisioncouncil.org
Email: info@thevisioncouncil.org

Foundation Fighting Blindness

According to the organization's website, the mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. (FFB), is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments, and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Since its inception in 1971, the foundation has raised more than $300 million for the cause, funding thousands of research studies at hundreds of prominent institutions worldwide.

For more information, contact the organization:
Phone: 800-683-5555
Website: www.blindness.org

Lighthouse International

Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through innovative work in vision rehabilitation, education, research, and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people who are partially sighted or blind to live independent and productive lives.

Vision rehabilitation programs and services such as orientation and mobility, career counseling, technology training, low vision care, and adaptive living instruction are provided to people with impaired vision in the greater New York area.

Continuing education for health care professionals, research on the effects of vision loss, and advocacy on behalf of people who are visually impaired are conducted both nationally and internationally by Lighthouse.

For more information, contact Lighthouse International:
Website: www.lighthouse.org
Phone: 800-829-0500 or 212-821-9200

The Macular Degeneration Partnership

The Macular Degeneration Partnership consists of patients, families, researchers, physicians, and industry partners and workers in the fields of vision and aging, according to the www.amd.org website.

The Partnership is an outreach program of the non-profit Discovery Eye Foundation. Its mission is to provide comprehensive, easily understood, and current information about macular degeneration to the public through the Internet, telephone, public events, and printed materials, to support research and to coordinate advocacy efforts.

For more information, contact The Partnership:
Website: www.amd.org
Phone: 888-430-9898

VisionAWARE

Associates for World Action in Rehabilitation and Education (AWARE) was founded in 1990. According to its website, AWARE's primary mission is to promote self-help vision rehabilitation hints, provide step-by-step adaptive techniques, and disseminate information on services and independent living resources to adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and related professionals.

AWARE's primary focus is VisionAWARE, a "Self-Help for Vision Loss" website that includes questions and answers on a wide range of topics, including eye diseases and disorders, home modification, computers and technology, and other helpful services and resources.

VisionAWARE produces self-help publications that provide step-by-step adaptive techniques, sponsors online education, and is committed to increasing the visibility of other organizations and resources that address the unmet needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.

To find out more about the organization, call or visit the website of VisionAWARE:
Website: www.visionaware.org
Phone: 914-528-5120