Get Informed

It is estimated that internationally, the global blind and visually impaired number well over 160 million.  Approximately 50,000 Americans become blind each year.

The blind and visually impaired experience injustice on multiple fronts.  First, they suffer from the misconceptions and negative stereotypes about blindness that permeate our culture. Second, they face numerous physical barriers that effectively deny them access to jobs, school, medical care, and activities of daily life, such as shopping and socializing, that the sighted take for granted.

My Blind Spot seeks to:

• Preserve and expand the rights and supports ensured to the blind and visually impaired under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Ensure a high level of services to ensure that the blind and visually impaired can learn the skills they need in order to be independent.

• Promote the development and dissemination of adaptive technologies that will allow the blind and visually impaired full access to information, communication, and participation.

• Dispel misinformation and negative stereotypes and promote positive images of the blind and visually impaired.

• Convey a message of empowerment and self-efficacy to the blind and visually impaired.

Links

National Council of State Agencies for the Blind
NCSAB Directory by state
http://www.ncsab.org/ncsab_directory.htm

New York State
Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
Disability Rights & Laws
http://www.cqcapd.state.ny.us/advocacy/disabilityrightsada/disabilityrig...

Teaching Tolerance
http://www.tolerance.org
Seeks to reduce prejudice, improve intergroup relations and support equitable school experiences for our nation's children. Provides free educational materials. Web offerings include downloadable curricula, other classroom activities and materials for youth and parents/guardians.

The American Foundation for the Blind
www.afb.org/
Seeks to expand possibilities by providing resources for people with vision loss, broadening their access to technology, and providing information and tools for the professionals who serve them.

The National Federation of the Blind
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Default.asp
Seeks to integrate the blind and visually impaired into society on a basis of equality with all citizens.

The American Council of the Blind
http://www.acb.org/
Seeks to improve the living conditions of the blind and visually impaired  by advocating for educational opportunities, health care services, social security benefits, vocational training, and other health and social services.

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
http://www.napas.org/
Serves a wide range of individuals with disabilities – including, but not limited to, those with cognitive, mental, sensory, and physical disabilities – by guarding against abuse; advocating for basic rights; and ensuring accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
http://www.dredf.org/
Seeks to advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)
http://www.dralegal.org/
Advocacy work includes high-impact class action litigation on behalf of people with all types of disabilities, including mobility, hearing, vision, learning and psychological disabilities. Publishes "Know Your Rights" handbooks to help people with disabilities know and enforce their civil rights.