Although medical and surgical treatments often help to restore vision or minimize loss of vision, many people lose vision permanently from various eye conditions. This information was compiled to inform you about what is available in the community to assist in overcoming some of the problems encountered with low vision. Keep in close contact with trusted friends and family members who can provide help. Remain as active as your health and vision with allow. Identify and treat depression with the help of your internist. You will not harm your eyes by trying to use them. You may sit close to the TV to see it better without risking damage to your eyes. When reading, good lighting is important (a gooseneck lamp may be helpful). To reduce glare when outdoors, consider wearing glasses tinted dark-yellow or amber.
TRANSPORTATION
CTI “Share-A-Van” transportation service………….272-7272
HARTline buses (discount for legal blindness)…….623-5835
Angel Wings/Red Cross (Free, Non-Medicaid).……251-0921
Evacuation Preparedness and Assistance………….272-6900
MAGNIFICATION
The Lighthouse for the Blind
1106 W. Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2407
Harbor Freight 154 W Fletcher Ave Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 930-0774
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY SERVICE
Free directory assistance over the phone from Verizon is available with a form filled out at our office.
HELP FOR VETERANS
VIS Program offers low-vision aids and training.
Call (813) 903-2441
TALKING BOOK LIBRARY
Applications for the free books on cassette tape are available from our office. Tapes are mailed to your home.
Hillsborough County Talking Book Library 3910 South Manhattan Avenue Tampa, Florida 33611-1214 (813) 272-6024
U.S. National Library Service 1-800-424-8567
www.loc.gov/nls (books and magazines on tape)
Books and magazines on tape to keep (free):
American Printing House for the Blind 1-800-223-1839
Choice Magazines 1-888-724-6423
Large-print books (loan):
National Association for Visually Handicapped
1-212-889-3141 (www.navh.org)
SUPPORT GROUPS AND CLASSES
Eyes Only Support Group
Lighthouse for the Blind 1106 W. Platt Street Tampa, Florida 33606 (813) 251-2407
REHABILITATION
Division of Blind Services 415 S Armenia Ave Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 871-7190
Comprehensive Home Care
(813) 373-8438
LOW VISION CATALOG
Maxiaids Catalog (free catalog of helpful aids)
1-800-522-6294
LOW VISON SOFTWARE FOR COMPUTER
Freedom Scientific http://www.freedomscientific.com/product-portal.asp) 1-800-444-4443
NEWSPAPER READING SERVICE
USF Newspaper Reading Service broadcast by radio.
Applications are available in our office.
TAX RELIEF
Tax deductions on property tax and income tax are available to persons who are legally blind. Your eye doctor can supply you with proper documentation of legal blindness.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LOW VISION:
National Eye Health Educational Program National Institutes of Health (English and Spanish) www.nei.nih.gov
Association for Macular Diseases (1-212-605-3719) www.macula.org
Macular Degeneration Partnership (1-888-430-9898) www.amd.org
MD Support (information and video: Learning to live with low vision) www.mdsupport.org
Self-Help Books:
Making Life More Livable, M. Duffy, NY: American Foundation for the Blind, 2001; 1-800-232-3044
Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, L. Mogk, MD & M. Mogk, PhD, NY: Ballantine 2003; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com
Overcoming Macular Degeneration: A Guide to Seeing Beyond the Clouds, S. Soloman, MD and J. Soloman, NY: Avon 2000; available in bookstores and www.amazon.com
This list was compiled to help provide information on available services for the visually impaired. It does not represent an endorsement of listed businesses or services. Please verify phone numbers and addresses as they may have changed since this publication was printed.
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