Visual Impairments

  • AIRS-LA (Audio Internet Reading Service of Los Angeles) provides audio recordings of news, information and entertainment.
  • American Foundation for the Blind provides programs and services to improve the lives of people affected by vision loss. Newsletter subscription available.
  • **Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program provides a monthly payment to eligible persons who use a service dog to help them with needs related to the cost of food, grooming and health care for the dog. 
  • Birth to Five Vision Network of Southern California is a non-profit organization that provides education, networking and support for professionals and families of young children with visual impairments.   
  • Beyond Blindness is an Orange County agency devoted to children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind (birth to age 21).  Also, a Learning Link site offering a free Parent and Me program for children ages 0-5.
  • Braille Institute is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of free programs, classes and services throughout Southern California.  Their library contains over one million volumes of audio books, large-print and braille formats.
  • California Connect provides specialized communication equipment to those who qualify with one or more of the following disabilities: Hearing, Vision, Mobility, Speech, and Cognitive.  No age or income requirements.
  • California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) distributes telecommunications equipment and services to individuals having difficulty using the telephone due to a visual impairment.
  • California School for the Blind in Fremont, California provides special day classes for children between 3 to 22 years. A separate comprehensive Assessment Center for students not enrolled in the school program is available for eligible individuals. 
  • Coalition of O.C. Community Health Centers provides a safety net for healthcare, including vision to vulnerable, underserved communities.
  • Eye Dog Foundation for the Blind trains guide dogs for individuals.  
  • Eyes of Hope is VSP’s national charity program that provides free eye exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children
  • Family Connect provides parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and link to local resources.
  • Guide Dogs for the Blind is a non-profit organization providing guide dogs and training in their use to visually impaired people.
  • Guide Dogs of America provides guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired individuals.
  • Helping Students with Visual Impairments offers resources, tools and technology to focus upon school success.
  • InfantSEE provides a one-time, no-cost eye and vision assessment for babies 6 to 12 months old. 
  • Institute for Families provides counseling, support, information and advocacy to families whose child has been diagnosed with cancer or other disease that may impact vision.
  • Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation provides assistance to those having an eye condition (cataract, retinal tear, detached retina, surfer’s eye and gas bubbles on the retina) and lack health insurance but earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal.
  • National Federation of the Blind provides free white canes that are good for both beginning and advanced cane users, as well as other items.  
  • National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has a free Braille and book-on-tape lending library.
  • **U.S. Postal Service allows visually impaired persons to send and receive books and other specific mailed items free-of-charge if they are registered at the local post office.  Details are addressed in an on-line pamphlet