Exceptional Organizations Supporting People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
The following list includes national organizations and associations aiding the blind, offering services or information to people in the United States with visual disabilities. Government agencies, private social service agencies and more; all specializing in assisting individuals with blindness and visual impairments.
- American Council of the Blind (ACB): The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people. The ACB was officially founded in 1961. But, many of its state affiliates and local chapters have a history that can be traced back to the 1880s.
- American Diabetes Association: The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential.
- Blinded Veterans Association: The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is an organization of blinded veterans helping fellow blinded veterans. Through service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government, BVA hopes to make life better for blinded veterans.
- Foundation Fighting Blindness: The mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. is to drive 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.
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Empowering lives through exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities. Guide Dogs for the Blind envisions a world with greater inclusion, opportunity and independence by optimizing the unique capabilities of people and dogs.
- Lighthouse Guild: Since 1905, Lighthouse Guild has led the charge in the fight against vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment.
- Lions Club International: Lions Club International meets the needs of local communities and the world. Their 1.35 million members – who perform community service in 208 countries and geographic areas – are different in many ways, but share a core belief: community is what we make it.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality of Americans with blindness. The NFB develops innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide people with visual disabilities and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and successful.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs: Southeastern Guide Dogs mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life’s journey with mobility, independence and dignity.
