Blindskills Incorporated
Our mission at Blindskills, Inc., is to build bridges of understanding by sharing information and resources with people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired, their families, and their communities. At the present time, most services are offered at the local level, and are focused on Salem and surrounding communities in Willamette Valley Oregon.
RESOURCE LINKS
Blindness
All About Vision
American Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
American Health Assistance Foundation’s macular degeneration information site
Association of Blind Citizens
Eyes2Eyes.com news on vision issues
Insightful Publications directories of services in several states for visually impaired residents
Lilac Blind Foundation serving eastern Washington
Macular Degeneration Partnership
National Eye Institute
National Federation of the Blind
National Keratoconus Foundation
National Organization on Disability
Perkins School for the Blind
Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Associated Diseases
Retinitis Pigmentosa from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Children
Blind Children.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Pip Squeakers Shoes for small children with a built-in “squeak”
Seedlings Braille Books For Children
Wonderbaby.org
Education
American Foundation for the Blind Education Page
American Printing House for the Blind
California Transcribers and Educators of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Exceptional Teaching Aids Educational games and toys for special needs children
Hadley School for the Blind
IEP Preparation for Parents of Blind Children from Perkins Scout
Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Government
FCC & Telecommunications Accessibility
FEMA Disaster Preparation
FedForms for popular government services
Internal Revenue Service
Intuit’s Tax Tips for the Blind by the makers of TurboTax
National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
“If You Are Blind or Have Low Vision” from Social Security
US Postal Service
Veterans Administration
Mobility
Ambutech White canes, mobility glasses, and cane repair parts
Revolution Enterprises makes graphite canes for travelers of all sizes
Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Manotick, Ontario, Canada 613-692-7777
Eye Dog Foundation, Claremont, California 800-393-3641
Eye of the Pacific Guide Dog Foundation Honolulu, Hawaii 808-941-1088
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Bloomfield, Connecticut 860-243-5200
Freedom Guide Dogs Cassville, New York 315-822-5132
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Smithtown, New York 800-548-4337
Guide Dog Users, Inc. Consumer organization for guide dog users
Guide Dogs of America Sylmar, California 818-362-5834
Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael, California, and Boring, Oregon 800-295-4050
Guide Dogs of the Desert Palm Springs, California 888-883-0022
Guide Dogs of Texas San Antonio, Texas 210-366-4081
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Yorktown Heights, New York 800-942-0149
KSDS, Inc. Washington, Kansas 785-325-2256
La Fondation Mira Sainte-Madeleine, Quebec, Canada 450-795-3725
Leader Dogs for the Blind Rochester Hills, Michigan 888-777-5332
Pilot Dogs for the Blind Columbus, Ohio 614-221-6367
Seeing Eye Morristown, New Jersey 973-539-4425
Southeastern Guide Dogs Palmetto, Florida 800-944-3647
Products and Services
AI Squared Low vision accessibility products
Access Technologies Access technology store in Salem, Oregon
Ann Morris Products Online store for people with vision loss
Clarity Manufacturer of CCTV magnifiers
Dancing Dots Software enabling blind musicians to create print and braille scores with a computer
Enablemart Online access technology store
Enabling Technologies Manufacturer of a range of braille printers
Enhanced Vision, Inc. Online store for specialized low vision products
En-Vision America Manufacturer of the i.d. date, a bar-code identification reader
Evas and Dell Computers Accessible plug and play PCs for blind and low-vision users
Freedom Scientific Leading manufacturer of access technology, including JAWS screen reading software
GW Micro Developer of Window-Eyes screen reading software
Humanware Home of the Victor Reader Stream
Independent Living Aids Online access technology store
Independent Living Technologies Online access technology store
LS&S Products Online access technology store
Office On The Go Magnifiers for very small screens
RWF Talking Dictionary For Windows Vista and Windows 7
Schwan’s Home delivery service for prepared frozen meals
The Sendero Group Accessible travel and location
Speak to Me Products Talking novelties, toys, and household products
Talking Rx Reusable 60-second recorder fits prescription bottles, replays instructions
ViewPlus Technologies Manufacturer of graphical braille embossers with special software
Blindness
All About Vision
American Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
American Health Assistance Foundation’s macular degeneration information site
Association of Blind Citizens
Eyes2Eyes.com news on vision issues
Insightful Publications directories of services in several states for visually impaired residents
Lilac Blind Foundation serving eastern Washington
Macular Degeneration Partnership
National Eye Institute
National Federation of the Blind
National Keratoconus Foundation
National Organization on Disability
Perkins School for the Blind
Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Associated Diseases
Retinitis Pigmentosa from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Children
Blind Children.org
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Pip Squeakers Shoes for small children with a built-in “squeak”
Seedlings Braille Books For Children
Wonderbaby.org
Education
American Foundation for the Blind Education Page
American Printing House for the Blind
California Transcribers and Educators of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Exceptional Teaching Aids Educational games and toys for special needs children
Hadley School for the Blind
IEP Preparation for Parents of Blind Children from Perkins Scout
Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Government
FCC & Telecommunications Accessibility
FEMA Disaster Preparation
FedForms for popular government services
Internal Revenue Service
Intuit’s Tax Tips for the Blind by the makers of TurboTax
National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
“If You Are Blind or Have Low Vision” from Social Security
US Postal Service
Veterans Administration
Mobility
Ambutech White canes, mobility glasses, and cane repair parts
Revolution Enterprises makes graphite canes for travelers of all sizes
Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Manotick, Ontario, Canada 613-692-7777
Eye Dog Foundation, Claremont, California 800-393-3641
Eye of the Pacific Guide Dog Foundation Honolulu, Hawaii 808-941-1088
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Bloomfield, Connecticut 860-243-5200
Freedom Guide Dogs Cassville, New York 315-822-5132
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Smithtown, New York 800-548-4337
Guide Dog Users, Inc. Consumer organization for guide dog users
Guide Dogs of America Sylmar, California 818-362-5834
Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael, California, and Boring, Oregon 800-295-4050
Guide Dogs of the Desert Palm Springs, California 888-883-0022
Guide Dogs of Texas San Antonio, Texas 210-366-4081
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Yorktown Heights, New York 800-942-0149
KSDS, Inc. Washington, Kansas 785-325-2256
La Fondation Mira Sainte-Madeleine, Quebec, Canada 450-795-3725
Leader Dogs for the Blind Rochester Hills, Michigan 888-777-5332
Pilot Dogs for the Blind Columbus, Ohio 614-221-6367
Seeing Eye Morristown, New Jersey 973-539-4425
Southeastern Guide Dogs Palmetto, Florida 800-944-3647
Products and Services
AI Squared Low vision accessibility products
Access Technologies Access technology store in Salem, Oregon
Ann Morris Products Online store for people with vision loss
Clarity Manufacturer of CCTV magnifiers
Dancing Dots Software enabling blind musicians to create print and braille scores with a computer
Enablemart Online access technology store
Enabling Technologies Manufacturer of a range of braille printers
Enhanced Vision, Inc. Online store for specialized low vision products
En-Vision America Manufacturer of the i.d. date, a bar-code identification reader
Evas and Dell Computers Accessible plug and play PCs for blind and low-vision users
Freedom Scientific Leading manufacturer of access technology, including JAWS screen reading software
GW Micro Developer of Window-Eyes screen reading software
Humanware Home of the Victor Reader Stream
Independent Living Aids Online access technology store
Independent Living Technologies Online access technology store
LS&S Products Online access technology store
Office On The Go Magnifiers for very small screens
RWF Talking Dictionary For Windows Vista and Windows 7
Schwan’s Home delivery service for prepared frozen meals
The Sendero Group Accessible travel and location
Speak to Me Products Talking novelties, toys, and household products
Talking Rx Reusable 60-second recorder fits prescription bottles, replays instructions
ViewPlus Technologies Manufacturer of graphical braille embossers with special software
Seniors
Administration on Aging
AARP
Benefits Check Up from the National Council on Aging
Eldercare Locator
Medicare
Needymeds.org Pharmaceutical manufacturers’ programs for help with drug costs
Seniors.gov Federal government help for seniors
Special Media
Assistive Media Recent magazine articles in popular audio formats
Audio book membership site from Amazon.com
Cat’s Meow Braille Transcription Custom braille transcription in Wichita, Kansas
Bookshare.org Large accessible media membership site for people with print disabilities
Braille: It’s Easier Than You Think Braille alphabet
BrailleBug For young people in grades three to six
Braille Plus Custom braille transcription in Salem, Oregon
Choice Magazine Listening Free audio anthology for print-disabled readers
Clovernook Center Custom braille transcription and rehab services in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, Tennessee
GH, LLC Accessible media in several formats
Descriptive Media at WBGH Boston
Horizons for the Blind Custom braille transcription in Crystal Lake, Illinois
How Braille Began The unlikely history of the braille code
Matilda Ziegler Magazine Email and online magazine for visually impaired readers
National Braille Press Braille publisher and bookseller in Boston, Massachusetts
National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Shadows in the Dark Braille greeting cards
Talking Tabs All-audio guitar instruction
Travel, Hobbies & Sports
www.7128.com Family-friendly, accessible computer games
Audio Description International
Family Friendly Fun with Special Needs
Ski for Light International
TSA and Travelers with Disabilities
United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
United States Blind Golf Association
United States Department of Justice ADA Guide For Places Of Lodging: Serving Guests Who Are Blind
Work
EARN US Department of Labor site for disabled job seekers
Career Connect from AFB
Disability.gov Job opportunities and search help
Virginia Disability Services, North Carolina Packaging, and Abilities Of Florida
ServiceSource Rehabilitation and employment for residents of 8 US states
Social Security Administration Careers
The Statler Center for careers in hospitality at the Olmsted Center for Sight
Seniors
Administration on Aging
AARP
Benefits Check Up from the National Council on Aging
Eldercare Locator
Medicare
Needymeds.org Pharmaceutical manufacturers’ programs for help with drug costs
Seniors.gov Federal government help for seniors
Special Media
Assistive Media Recent magazine articles in popular audio formats
Audio book membership site from Amazon.com
Cat’s Meow Braille Transcription Custom braille transcription in Wichita, Kansas
Bookshare.org Large accessible media membership site for people with print disabilities
Braille: It’s Easier Than You Think Braille alphabet
BrailleBug For young people in grades three to six
Braille Plus Custom braille transcription in Salem, Oregon
Choice Magazine Listening Free audio anthology for print-disabled readers
Clovernook Center Custom braille transcription and rehab services in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, Tennessee
GH, LLC Accessible media in several formats
Descriptive Media at WBGH Boston
Horizons for the Blind Custom braille transcription in Crystal Lake, Illinois
How Braille Began The unlikely history of the braille code
Matilda Ziegler Magazine Email and online magazine for visually impaired readers
National Braille Press Braille publisher and bookseller in Boston, Massachusetts
National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Shadows in the Dark Braille greeting cards
Talking Tabs All-audio guitar instruction
Travel, Hobbies & Sports
www.7128.com Family-friendly, accessible computer games
Audio Description International
Family Friendly Fun with Special Needs
Ski for Light International
TSA and Travelers with Disabilities
United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
United States Blind Golf Association
United States Department of Justice ADA Guide For Places Of Lodging: Serving Guests Who Are Blind
Work
EARN US Department of Labor site for disabled job seekers
Career Connect from AFB
Disability.gov Job opportunities and search help
Virginia Disability Services, North Carolina Packaging, and Abilities Of Florida
ServiceSource Rehabilitation and employment for residents of 8 US states
Social Security Administration Careers
The Statler Center for careers in hospitality at the Olmsted Center for Sight
Free Publications
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
An audio handbook for people who are newly blind
with PROMISES TO KEEP (in print, for friends and family)
Experiencing significant vision loss–or know someone who is? In this free handbook, readers will find words of encouragement and resources to help cope with diminishing sight. Others have experienced similar feelings and share how they coped when they first got the news. You will hear people who went through this life-altering event and have gone on to lead full, productive lives. Call or email to request your free copy today. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? is now available on audio CD format, thanks to the generous assistance of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.
Tips for Hospital Staff Members and Caregivers
When I Meet a Person Who is Blind, I Will …
Support by Phone
In a typical year, Blindskills assists over 2000 individuals who contact us via our local number from all over the United States and Canada and ask us for all kinds of information about blindness–rehabilitation and other services in their local areas, technology, and everyday tips for easier living. Call 503-581-4224