Here’s a list of support services and resources for New Yorkers who have visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Some of the links included here, which are in alphabetical order, are from some of our partners and other groups that will take you to websites outside of our New York State Library site.
Blindness and Visual Impairment:
- American Council of the Blind of New York (ACBNY): ACBNY is the state affiliate of the American Council Of The Blind. It supports and promotes the educational, vocational, and social advancement of blind and visually impaired persons. ACBNY is made up of local chapters organized throughout the state.
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): A national organization that provides advocacy, information, programs, and online communities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
- Lions Clubs International: A service organization that works beyond borders to provide relief, health support, and vision care.
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of New York: The New York State affiliate of the largest organization of blind people in the United States that promotes the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind.
- New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB): A division of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) that provides employment, development, and independence-related resources to New Yorkers who are legally blind.
Braille Services:
- Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library: Our Talking Book and Braille counterparts at the New York Public Library who provide library services and reading materials to people in New York City.
- Braille Bug: The American Foundation for the Blind's website that teaches children who are typically sighted about braille, and also helps families and professionals support children learning braille.
- Braille Plus: A company that converts textbooks, exams, study guides, and other print materials into ebraille files or embossed volumes.
- Lighthouse Guild: An organization that offers services and resources related to braille literacy and access for people who are visually impaired.
Education and School Resources:
- Directory of Producers of Accessible Reading Materials: A guide from the National Library Service (NLS) on getting books and other materials in alternative formats.
- Hadley School for the Blind: A nonprofit that offers practical help, connection, and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them.
- Learning Ally: A national nonprofit that provides an online library of accessible audiobooks and more to support readers with disabilities, visual impairments, and other learning differences.
- New York Institute for Special Education (NYISE): A private nonprofit school in the Bronx offering programs to children aged 3 to 21 who have visual impairments or disabilities.
- A Parent’s Guide to Special Education: A NYSED guide to the special education process in New York State and a resource to help understand your rights and protections.
Information and Services for People with Disabilities:
- Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR): This division of the New York State Education Department helps people with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment, and supports independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, this site provides more information about the ADA, answers to questions about your rights, and resources on ADA topics.
- Help Hub for Families: A connection to health, human services, education, and disability resources for families with children who have multiple needs, supported by the New York State Council on Children and Families.
- LD OnLine: A website with supportive and authoritative guidance on attention deficit disorder, ADD / ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, reading difficulties, speech, and more.
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) of New York: The New York State chapter of a leading advocacy organization that supports teachers, parents, and people with learning disabilities at the local, state, and national levels.
- New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs: This state agency works to protect people with special needs from abuse and neglect.
- New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities: This state agency provides services and supports for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, Prader-Willi syndrome and other neurological impairments.