American Foundation for the Blind - AFB

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.

Contact Information: 1-800-AFB-LINE (232-5463), Email: afbinfo@afb.net, Web site: www.afb.or

Lighthouse International

The Lighthouse is dedicated to preventing the disabling effects of uncorrectable vision loss from conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetes-related eye disease, cataracts and glaucoma. Our work enables people of all ages who are visually impaired to remain independent, active and productive.

Contact Information: 1-800-829-0500 or 212-821-9200, TTY (212) 821-9713, Web site: www.lighthouse.org

National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness

The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is a national technical assistance and dissemination center for children and youth who are deaf-blind. The consortium focuses on two major purposes as required by OSEP. The first is to promote academic achievement and results for children and youth (from birth to age 26) who are deaf-blind, through technical assistance, model demonstration, and information dissemination activities that are supported by evidence-based practices. http://nationaldb.org/index.php

Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments - TAPVI

The Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (TAPVI) is a state wide organization serving families of children who are visually impaired or blind, including those who have multiple disabilities. It is the mandate of TAPVI to empower families by providing vision related information, support, training, and referrals.

Contact Information: 866-99-TAPVI (82784), Email: info@tapvi.org, Web site: www.tapvi.org

Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired - Austin, TX

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) serves as a special public school in the continuum of statewide placements for students who have a visual impairment. It is also a statewide resource to parents of these children and professionals who serve them.

Contact Information: Toll Free Recording Number: 1-800-872-5273, TDD 512- 206-9451, Web site: www.tsbvi.edu

Internet Resources

Braille Bug

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) created the Braille Bug® web site to teach sighted children about braille, and to encourage literacy among all children.

The information, activities, and games found on the Braille Bug web site are designed to teach children in grades 3 through 6 about braille. As they explore the site, children will be able to:

• develop an appreciation for the efficiency and versatility of braille;
  
  
• learn why and how Louis Braille invented the literary braille code;
  
  
• understand the importance of braille for another famous blind person, Helen Keller;
  
  
• learn to recognize braille letters and numbers;
  
  
• describe different ways to read and write braille, including the use of technology;
  
  
• use suggested resources to learn more about braille, blindness, and related topics.

The web site also includes a special section for parents and teachers. Visit the Braille Bug web site at: http://www.afb.org/braillebug/default.asp