Resources for the Visually Impaired
(Click here to view Arizona Resources)
Achilles International Tucson Group
Lupita Hernandez, President,
520-940-2494, achillestucson@gmail.com, wwwachillesinternational.org. Achilles encourages people with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement. They provide support and training to runners and walkers at all levels.
Accessible Pharmacy
Specialty for Blind and Visually Impaired
Accessible – 215-799-9900, info@accessiblepharmacy.com. Free shipping and home delivery; sells over the counter prescriptions, vitamin supplements, and talking medical products. Will set up pill boxes. Contact your doctor and pharmacy for prescription.
Airline Travel
Call airline 800 number and ask for meet and assist when you make your reservation. This service will help you change planes and take you to baggage claim. If you mention that you are visually impaired and that the reservation website is inaccessible, they will waive the $25 service fee.
Audio Bibles for the Blind
941-748-3031, www.audiobibles.com
The whole Bible fits on a cartridge, but you must have the advanced Talkingbook Player. For a $10 donation you can get to any verse of the Bible, Modern King James Version.
Aurora Talking Bible Cartridges: Free
941-748-3031, other versions including International and American Standard.
Audio Description movies (Descriptive Narration)
Go to the box office of the theater to get a headset. After turning on the headset, a narrator will describe the action in the movie between the dialogues. Call the box office or go to www.cinemark.com to see if descriptive narration is available. Century Theater El Con – 520-202-3358, Century Theater Park Place – 520-745-2321.
AZ Volunteer Real ID Cards
Go to AZ Motor Vehicle to get ID card. You need Photo ID for airplane travel, Cost $25. Need birth certificate or passport, social security card or tax forms with social security number on them, and two bills addressed to local address. Make an appointment. Call 520-629-9808 for customer service.
Legally Blind
Get a written statement on an eye specialist’s letterhead. Use the document to apply for Sun Van, get tax credit on Federal tax form, get free operator-assistance on Jitterbug cell phone, and free directory assistance by Century Link and Cox Cable. Make several copies of this document.
Basic Accessible Cell Phone
New iPhone SE 2022 sells for around $400, the SE 2020 has been reduced to $150. iPhone Available at Target, Best Buy, Walmart etc.
Using the iPhone with Voice Over
There are many wonderful apps for the visually impaired user on the iPhone such as BARD Mobile to download books and magazine articles from the AZ Talking book Library. There is a learning curve, but after a while the iPhone becomes a helpful tool you will use all the time. Price: $489.00 (case: $35.00), free shipping. Cell service available only through T-Mobile, Straight Talk, and other subcarriers. To purchase, contact A.T. GUYS – 269-216-4798, atguys.com.
Blind Shell Classic 2 cell phone
269-216-4798, www.atguys.com
The Blind Shell Classic 2 cell phone is an alternative if you don’t want to get an iPhone. Communication with no limits! New Generation of our BlindShell Classic providing unique hardware, tactile keypad, voice control and loud speaker, creating the perfect phone for the visually impaired. Now with WhatsApp, BlindShell app catalog with many optional features, internet browser, and assistive tools such as screen reader and NFC object tagging. Full of fun and useful functions yet still simple to use! Bonus: 200 free AirA minutes to use. It costs $485 + $35 for the case. It works on T-Mobile network.
Manny Celis
520-331-4682
Computer and iPhone instructor for the visually impaired. He will come to your home for $40 for a 2-hour lesson.
Computers For the Blind
214-340-6328, www.computersfortheblind.org
Refurbished computers, Windows 10 with JAWS, or Zoom text for the visually impaired. Desktops $130, Laptop $185, Warranty for one year.
Foundation Fighting Blindness
800-683-5555, www.fightblindness.org, email: info@fightblindness.org
Free genetic testing for qualified visually impaired individuals. Latest research news on Age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Free catalogs for low vision aids:
• Independent Living Aids 800-537-2118
• LS&S 800-468-4789
• Maxi Aids 800-522-6294, 631-752-0521
• Speak to Me 800-248-9965
GoGoGrandparents
855-464-6872
A 24-hour personal operator provides access to Uber and Lyft rides on a regular cell phone. You sign up with credit card. The ride comes in 15 minutes. Using the service costs a few dollars extra over the ride-share cost. You set up driver instructions so they come to you – 800-832-2412, 703-378-3819.
Game Knowledge from Great Courses
800-832-2412, 703-378-3819, www.greatcourses.com
Maggie Hagan, a TSB Member, keeps her mind sharp by listening to college courses offered by Great Courses. These courses are fun to listen to and there is no homework involved. She gets them in DVD format, but you can also download them to a computer, tablet, or iPhone. Each course consists of twelve, 30-minute lectures, for a total of six hours. By using a price filter on the site ($0-$40), 77 choices of courses can be found. Hadley – 800-323-4328, Hadley Tech Support – 847-784-2815, Ricky Enger – 847-784-2783.
Hadley
www.hadley.edu
Hadley is a wonderful free resource filled with practical information on vision loss. A series of short workshops cover Every Day Living, Adjustment to Vision Loss, Recreation, Technology, and Braille. You need to log on to their website in order to get the information. The series of how to learn using the computer and the iPhone is very helpful. Hadley has monthly discussion groups such as Tech it Out, Travel Talk, What’s Cooking, Crafts, gardening, writing, and learning Spanish and Braille. For those without a computer, Hadley will put the information on a cartridge which can be played on an NLS Talking Book player.
CanConnect
800-825-4595, www.icanconnect.org
Provides communications technology and training free of charge to low-income people of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss. (Includes mobile devices, phones, and computers).
Interfaith Services
520-297-6049
complete application over phone. The service will provide free rides by volunteer to your doctor and to get prescriptions once a week. They can also take you grocery shopping. The service is not available for seniors in independent living facilities.
Oral Hull Foundation and Learning Center
503-668-6195, www.oralhull.org, oralhull@gmail.com
located in Sandy, Oregon. Provides zoom calls on many topics related to visual impairment with a monthly newsletter. Oral Hull Foundation also provides retreats filled with activities for blind individuals. Sign up for the weekly emails with zoom links.
Dan Roberts- Telephone Support Group
888-866-6148, director@mdsupport.org
For individuals with Low Vision, the group meets the third Thursday of the month for 45 minutes on the phone to hear a guest speaker. For their informative newsletter, listen to previous audio presentations under the Audio Visual Library, www.mdsupport.org. Dan is also the editor of the latest research on AMD about preventing blindness, www.preventblindness.org – 800-331-2020, (press 3 for Beverly). Dan has written four free large print books in the Guide Me series for the newly diagnosed blind. The last book is called “Through Our Eyes,” a collection written by folks experiencing AMD. To order any of the large print books, call the Prevent Blindness number above and leave a message for Beverly.
Safeway Groceries (online only)
first-time delivery is free with a minimum order of $49.00, 877-505-4040, www.shop.safeway.com.
Script Talk: Free Talking Prescription Readers – Envision America
800-890-1180, Available at any Walmart, Sam’s Club, or Veterans Administration.
Mail Order: Walmart, Pharmacy, (Caremark) Humana, Edna Optum RX, Envision America – 800-890-1180, www.envisionamerica.com.
Sunsound Reading Service
Tucson – 520-296-2400, can order radio through the AZ Talking Book Library. Reading service is also available on the computer and on the Alexa Echo. Human readers will read articles from the AZ Daily Star, USA Today, and other articles from different sources on a fixed schedule.
Talking Contour TV Remote for the Legally Blind
Free for Cox Cable subscribers. Cox Cable Specialized Support – 855-512-8876. Just say the channel and the remote selects that channel. Once audio description is set up then all TV programs that have audio description will automatically start talking. For example, you can ask for free romance movies, and it reads menus and TV guides.
The U.S. and State Capital telephone line
844-872-0234
Put in your zip code, then press 1 for Federal or 2 for State. Press the # sign to get to the next official.
Talk to Governor Doug Ducey
office – 602-542-4331, engage@az.gov,
Walmart online (groceries & other items)
First-time delivery is free, minimum order $35, $10 delivery fee. Afterwards, pick two-hour delivery. Save order in favorites, use for heavy items.
Well Connected
is a free service which brings programs and activities by phone to seniors. Seniors call the free 800 number at a set time to connect to other seniors. To register call 877-797-7299 or go to www.avenidas.org.
TECH SUPPORT FOR COMPUTERS COMPUTER AND IPHONE HELP
Microsoft Disability Answer Desk
800-936-5900, support@microsoft.com
Apple Accessibility Support, 877-204-3930, accessibility@apple.com
Apple Accessibility helpline 24/7 for blind and disabled- help with Apple products -1-877-204-3930, accessibility@apple.com
Amazon Disability Help Line, 888-283-1678, staff will help you order items from Amazon and Amazon Alexa Tech Support: 888-299-7571
Many blind products can be purchased on Amazon.
Freedom Scientific – Vispero can download the latest copy of JAWS or Zoom Text for $90 a yearly subscription. This is a great savings. Ask questions on JAWS or FUSION at training@vispero.com.
IPHONE APPS
AIRA Customer Care
800-835-1934 or visit www.aira.com
a free app from the app store to help the visually impaired to do daily tasks or to know what is around them. Can use for free under 5 minutes, also have monthly plans for trained visual interpreters to help you.
BARD Mobile
Download books and magazines on computer, iPhone, iPad, and Victor Stream. Set up user name and password with AZ Braille and Talking Library.
Blind Mice Mega Mall
713-893-7277
You can buy many specialized products here.
Be My Eyes App
Free. Sighted volunteers will read items or help you find things. Click on specialized help. You can ask help from Google and Microsoft, and others.
Seeing AI App
Free, will read documents, labels, and bar codes.
National Braille Press
800-548 7323, www.nbp.org
Getting Assistance with an iPhone and 31 Cool Tricks for the iPhone, by Judy Dixon, is being released in various formats. You can get it in a one-volume hardcopy in braille, or as a download in DAISY text or as a MS Word document. It will cost you $14.00. Also look for books by Deborah Kendricks.
Amazon Echo Dot, about $20-30
after connecting to internet and computer or iPhone, you can listen to the news, call anyone on your contact list, find out addresses of businesses, listen to Amazon music, set timers and alarms, listen to audiobooks, NFB Newsline, make shopping lists – all by voice commands. The Echo Show 10, with 10-inch screen will read labels on cans using its camera and you can watch free movies on its screen. The Amazon Microwave and Alexa Smart Oven are both voice-controlled by Echo.
WEBSITES INFORMATION, PODCASTS, AND PRODUCTS
Accessible Product Hotline
316-252-2500
is staffed by trained customer service representatives who are blind or visually impaired.
Access World
is a publication by American Printing House of the Blind. You can read magazine articles on technology at www.accessworld.com or on NFB Newsline.
Audio Description
Audio description provides a verbal narrative of key visual events added to audio tracks of video and film; the added descriptions occur during pauses in dialogue or between critical sound elements. Audio description is designed to aid in the fuller appreciation of a movie or TV series by a person who is blind or has low vision. People with other disabilities such as autism also benefit, as do individuals with attention deficit disorder and Streaming Services with Audio Description. Some examples of subscription services that utilize audio description are Netflix (has the most titles), Amazon Prime Videos, Disney Plus (wonderful narrators for movies as old as 1930 such as Sleeping Beauty), Apple Plus, HBO Video Max, and Paramount Plus.
Audio Description Project
www.adp.org
Audio Description Project has made a new search function available where a title or part of a title can be entered, resulting in matches in a Master Audio Description (AD) List. This site lists all movies that have audio description. The movies are listed by title and by streaming service. Listen to AD on TV, Movies, Streaming Services, and Museums, www.adp.org. This search may be initiated on the main website page (www.acb.org/adp).
Eyes on Success
www.eyesonsuccess.net
Weekly podcasts on visual impairment. You can listen either on Amazon, Echo, or Google Home smart speakers. As an example, you can say “Play the latest episode of Eyes on Success by Pete and Nancy Torpey.” When you go to their website, look for the search button. Using the search button, enter key words to search for past episodes. The site has podcasts listed by year with current episodes on the bottom. Look at the show notes which give contact information for guest speakers and their websites.
www.visionaware.org
800-232-5463
This is a wonderful resource where you can download a beginner’s guide to vision loss, look up eye diseases, and listen to personal blogs.
Signup for this website to receive a monthly newsletter. There are many useful articles on adjusting to vision loss.
www.visionaware.org, 800-232-5463 – This is a wonderful resource where you can download a beginner’s guide to vision loss, look up eye diseases, and listen to personal blogs.