Knowing the Basics
Free Directory Assistance
Telephone service providers allow people with documented legal blindness to call directory assistance within their own area code at no charge. A MEDICAL DOCTOR must complete the application form certifying that the individual requesting this service is legally blind. Contact the customer service department of the telephone service provider to obtain an application.
Other Directory Assistance Options
These options provide news, sports, weather and business searches using voice recognition:
800-FRE-E411 – (800-373-3411)
800-TELL-ME - (800-555-8355)
Talking Books
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped loans books and magazines recorded in audio format for free. All materials are sent Free Matter. A special player, which is needed to listen to audio books, is provided free-of-charge, as are headphones and amplifiers. Braille books and descriptive videos are also available. To join, an application must be completed by a certifying authority stating you meet the eligibility criteria. City of Chicago residents can call Harold Washington Library at 312-747-4001. Suburban residents can call Voices of Vision at 630-208-0398.
Informational Resources
Newsline
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-659-9314 (National Office)
866-504-7300 (Toll free access to Newsline)
www.nfbnewsline.org
Newsline is a free service that uses synthetic speech to read local and national newspapers via the telephone for those who cannot read regular newsprint. You can request an application form through NFB or contact your local Talking Books Center and ask for the service.
Hadley School for the Blind
700 Elm St.
Winnetka, IL 60093
847-446-8111
800-323-4238
www.hadley.edu
Hadley offers free, distance education classes to individuals with vision loss, their families, and service providers. Courses cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from educational to recreational.
CRIS Radio
Chicagoland Radio Information Services, Inc.
Chicago Lighthouse
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
312-666-1331
www.chicagolighthouse.org
CRIS Radio provides access to print materials such as newspapers and store ads via radio to individuals living within 30 miles of downtown Chicago. You can listen to broadcasts online or by using a special receiver provided free of charge. An application form must be completed to qualify for this service.
Free Matter for The Blind
"Free Matter for the Blind and Physically Handicapped" is a postage-free mailing privilege granted for items being mailed that have been put into an adapted format (e.g. large print, braille or audiocassette) for those with visual and/or physical disabilities. Contact the U.S. Post Office and request Publication #347 for more details.
Sources for Adaptive Products
Second Sense
180 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1700
Chicago, IL 60601
312-236-8569
www.guildfortheblind.org
Eye Can See Clearly – Two locations
1971 N. Second St., Highland Park, IL
9630 N. Kenton St., Skokie, IL
847-612-9094
www.eyecanseeclearly.com
Independent Living Aids, Inc.
200 Robbins Ln.
Jericho, NY 11753-2341
800-537-2118
www.independentliving.com
LS&S, LLC
145 River Rock Drive
Buffalo, NY 14207
800-468-4789
www.lssproducts.com
General Assistance
Second Sense
180 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1700
Chicago, IL 60601
312-236-8569
www.guildfortheblind.org
Center for Sight and Hearing
8038 Macintosh Ln.
Rockford, IL 61107
815-332-6800
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
312-666-1331
www.chicagolighthouse.org
Spectrios Institute for Low Vision at Deicke House
219 E. Cole Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-690-7115
www.spectrios.org
Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital
Roosevelt Rd. and 5th Ave.
Hines, IL 60141-5000
708-202-8387
Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education (ICRE)
1151 S. Wood St.
Chicago, IL 60612
312-633-3520
Illinois Eye Institute
3241 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-949-7255
Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness
211 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
312-922-8710
www.eyehealthillinois.org
Blind Service Association
17 N. State St., Suite 1050
Chicago, IL 60602
312-236-0808
Elderly Blind Grant Program
Cook County: 312-633-3411 (Janet Cisneros)
Lake County: (847-758-3483 (Bradley Schnell)
This federal government grant program is available to financially assist elderly individuals with low vision consultations and adaptive equipment.
National Organizations
Foundation Fighting Blindness
Chicago Chapter
1580 S. Milwaukee Ave., Ste. 606
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-680-0100
www.fightblindness.org
This organization supports research studies relating to retinal diseases.
Lighthouse International
111 E. 59th St.
New York, NY 10022
212-821-9200
www.lighthouse.org
This organization provides information on eye diseases, vision health and rehabilitation for people of all ages.
National Eye Institute – National Eye Health Education Program
2020 Vision Pl.
Bethesda, MD 20892-3655
www.nei.nih.gov
This organization conducts research and provides educational materials.
Research to Prevent Blindness
645 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10022-1010
800-621-0026
www.rpbusa.org
This organization provides information on research projects and findings regarding all areas of vision loss.
Membership Organizations
American Council of the Blind
15th St., N.W., Suite 720
Washington DC 20005
202-467-5081
800-424-8666
www.acb.org
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Ste. 300
New York, NY 10001
212-502-7600
www.afb.org
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-659-9314 (National Office)
www.nfb.org
Association for Macular Diseases
210 E. 64th St.
New York, NY 10021
www.macular.org
Macular Degeneration International
2968 W. Ina Rd. #106
Tucson, AZ 85741
www.maculardegeneration.org
Vision World Wide
5707 Brockton Dr., #302
Indianapolis, IN 46220-5481
www.visionww.org
