Resources

If you, or someone you know, is at least 55 years of age or over and experiencing vision loss or a combined vision and hearing loss, Project Independence can help.

This vision program for those 55 years of age or over is administered by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. The services provided may help you remain independent and keep on doing what you like to do. Services may include:

Skills training in your home community by certified rehabilitation specialists so you can keep on doing the daily tasks you like and stay active
Mobility training by certified instructors so you can travel safely
Support groups that offer opportunities so you can learn from and interact with peers who also have visual loss
Comprehensive low vision evaluations by qualified professionals to assess practical and useful ways to access information with magnification
Assistive aids/devices such as talking watches and clocks, lighting, big button phones, various household and kitchen aids

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency contracts with Service Providers located throughout Georgia to provide daily living vision services:

Serving Greater Metro Atlanta
Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI)
739 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404-875-9011
www.cviga.org

Serving Southeast Georgia
Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision (SCBLV)
1141 Cornell Avenue
Savannah, Georgia 31406
912-236-4473
www.savannahCBLV.org

Serving Northwest Georgia
Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia (VRS)
3830 South Cobb Drive SE
Smyrna, Georgia 30080
770-432-7280
www.vrsga.org

Serving Southwest Georgia
Visually Impaired Foundation of Georgia (VIFGA)
770-551-8455
1-877-778-4342
www.vifga.org

Serving Northeast Georgia
Visually Impaired Specialized Training and Advocacy Services (VISTAS)
337 South Milledge Avenue, Suite 114
Athens, Georgia 30605-5662
706-995-2216
www.vistascenter.com

Serving East Georgia
Walton Options for Independent Living (WO)
948 Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia 30903-0519
706-724-6262
1-877-821-8400
www.waltonoptions.org

For more information, contact:
Kay McGill, Project Independence Program Manager
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
770-414-3006
Fax: 770-414-2613
kay.mcgill@gvs.ga.gov
www.gvs.ga.gov

Paul Raymond, Blindness Services Coordinator
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
770-500-9160
Fax: 478-757-4391
paul.raymond@gvs.ga.gov
www.gvs.ga.gov

ADVOCACY/EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS

American Foundation for The Blind (AFB)

• afb.org

The American Foundation for the Blind created “AFB Senior Site” to help older Americans and their family members cope with age-related eye diseases, a growing public health problem in the United States.

Centers For Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are nonresidential, community-based organizations, governed and staffed by people with disabilities that offer a wide variety of services to consumers with disabilities and their families. The foundation of these services is the peer-to-peer relationship, where people with disabilities act as mentors for other people with disabilities, showing them by example how to help themselves and to live independently. The core services that CILs provide are:

• Individual Advocacy and Systems Advocacy
• Peer Counseling
• Information and Referral
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Transition

Depending on the needs of the communities they serve, CILs may provide other services that vary from one center to another. For more information contact the center nearest you.

NWGA Center for Independent Living
242 North 5th Avenue
Rome, GA 30165
Voice: 706-314-0008
Toll Free: 866-888-7845
TTY: 706-802-0280
FAX: 706-314-0011
https://www.nwgacil.org
https://www.facebook.com/NWGACIL
Follow us on Twitter @NWGACIL
Serves the following counties in Northwest Georgia: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker and Whitfield.

Walton Options for Independent Living
948 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30903-5019
Voice: 706-724-6262
TTY: 706-261-0199
Toll Free: 877-821-8400
FAX: 706- 724-6729
www.waltonoptions.org
Serves the following counties in East Georgia: Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lincoln, Richmond, Screven, Glascock, Hancock, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes, and Washington.

GEORGIA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE

Georgia Talking Book Libraries

GLASS/ Atlanta Metro Library for Accessible Services 
Advisory and Outreach Center 
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library 
One Margaret Mitchell Square, 4th Floor 
Atlanta, GA 30303-1089 
Librarian: Beverly Williams 
Telephone: (404) 657-1452
Toll-free (In-state): (800) 248-6701
E-mail:  glass@georgialibraries.org 
Hours of Operation: Telephone 8:00A-5:00P Mon, Fri & Sat; 8:00A-7:00P Tue, Wed, Thu; closed Sun 
Serves: Georgia except for counties served by the subregional library in Bainbridge; braille readers receive service from Utah. 

Subregional Library 

Southwest Library for Accessible Services 
Southwest Georgia Regional Library 
301 South Monroe Street 
Bainbridge, GA 39819-4029 
Librarian: Susan S. Whittle 
Telephone: (229) 248-2680
Toll-free (In-state): (800) 795-2680
TDD: (229) 248-2665
FAX: (229) 248-2670
E-mail: lbph@swgrl.org 
Website: swgrl.org
Hours of Operation: 8:30–5:30, Monday–Friday
Serves: Baker, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Webster and Worth counties 

GLASS:  Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Service 
Librarian: Pat Herndon 
Telephone: (404) 235-7155 
Toll-free (In-state): (800) 248-6701
E-mail: glass@georgialibraries.org  
Web site: http://georgialibraries.org/glass/
 

BLINDNESS SERVICE PROVIDERS

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND, Inc. (APH)
APH is the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are visually impaired.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085, U.S.A.
502-895-2405
Toll Free Customer Service: 1-800-223-1839 (U.S. and Canada)
Fax: 502-899-2284
info@aph.org
www.aph.org

THE CENTER FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE & INNOVATION, INC.
The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc. (CFII) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their family members advance their financial independence and security. Tool for Life/CFII provides a host of financial resources including the Credit-Able loan guarantee program and the new individual development accounts initiative, which may be of assistance in purchasing assistive technology and other items.
Tool for Life/Credit-Able
404-385-7029
Fax: 404-894-8323
www.gatfl.org

FRIENDS OF DISABLED ADULTS & CHILDREN (FODAC)
FODAC provides home health equipment (mobility and daily living) to people of any age or any disability, temporary or permanent, for medically necessary and medically helpful reasons.  Items are provided for a suggested donation. Clients do not have to qualify financially, but the waiting lists place a priority on medically necessary and low income individuals.
FODAC
4900 Lewis Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
770-491-9014
www.fodac.org

GEORGIA LIONS’ CAMP FOR THE BLIND
Overnight camp programs in Waycross, Georgia for visually impaired children and adults, ages 6 and up, and their families.
Georgia Lions’ Camp for the Blind
5626 Laura Walker Road
Waycross, GA 31503
912-283-4320
www.glcb.org

GEORGIA RADIO READING SERVICE (GaRRS)
As the State’s only radio reading service, the Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization  founded in 1980 whose mission is to improve the quality of life for every Georgian who is blind, visually-impaired or has difficulty with access to the printed word.  Volunteer broadcasters from across Georgia provide approximately 200 different radio shows each month including cover-to-cover readings of magazines, newspapers, and books, population- and issue-specific programming (Seniors, Veterans and Hispanic/Latino News, Transportation), public service announcements and information regarding community support programs.  GaRRS’ programming is designed to inform listeners of opportunities to obtain or maintain independence in their own communities, increase their personal health outcomes, obtain or maintain self sufficient employment (livable wage), and increase their community involvement, advocacy and socialization.

GaRRS programs are broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week by way of special subchannel radios provided by GaRRS to its subscribers.  Listeners can also hear the broadcast via an audio streaming link on GaRRS’ website:  www.garrs.net

GaRRS
260 14th Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-685-2820/2822
Fax: 404-685-2821
Toll Free: 1-800-672-6173
garrsinfo@gpb.org
www.garrs.net

GEORGIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM (GATEDP)
GATEDP provides a variety of specialized telecommunications equipment to qualified applicants who have difficulty using a standard phone. For those who qualify, the GATEDP staff also offers assistance selecting telecommunications equipment and training on how to use it properly. Example: large button phones with amplification.
GATEDP
4151 Memorial Drive, Suite 103-B
Decatur, GA 30032
404-297-9461
Toll Free: 1-888-297-9461
Fax: 404-297-9465
www.gachi.org

GEORGIA VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCY
BLINDNESS REHABILITATION SERVICES
The VR Blindness Services unit provides services to help eligible persons with visual disabilities prepare for, start, and maintain competitive employment, thus becoming productive and independent citizens in their communities.
Paul Raymond, Blindness Services Coordinator
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
3586 Riverside Drive, Suite B
Macon, Georgia 31210-6304
770-500-9160|
Fax: 478-757-4391
paul.raymond@ablegeorgia.ga.gov
www.gvra.ga.gov

THE HADLEY INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
The mission of Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired is to promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers.

Founded in 1920 by William Hadley and Dr. E.V.L. Brown, Hadley offers courses free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families, and affordable tuition to blindness professionals. Today, Hadley is the largest provider of distance education for people who are blind or visually impaired around the world, serving more than 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and in 100 countries. Hadley is also the largest educator of braille worldwide. A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the school relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to fund its programs.

Hadley has a course for you if you are:
A blind or visually impaired individual 14+ years of age
A relative of a blind or visually impaired child
A family member of a blind or visually impaired adult
A professional or paraprofessional in the blindness field

Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093-2554
847-446-8111
Toll Free: 1-800-323-4238
Fax: 847-446-9916
info@hadley.edu
www.hadley.edu

NEWSLINE
Anyone who cannot read regular newsprint could qualify for this free service. Many seniors have lost enough vision that reading the daily newspaper is no longer possible. These individuals will enjoy being able once again to participate actively in community affairs. Information is available from more than 300 Newspapers Available.  NFB-NEWSLINE® is the only service that makes so much information available to eligible people 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Toll Free: 1-866-504-7300 or 1-855-476-9911
www.nfb.org

PREVENT BLINDNESS GEORGIA
Prevent Blindness Georgia was established in 1965 as an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s leading nonprofit eye health and safety organization. With a focus on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness Georgia touches the lives of more than 40,000 people each year with our direct services. We vision screen 35,000 four year olds; train more than 400 public health, school nurse and pediatric vision screeners; screen high risk adults for glaucoma and other aging eye diseases; provide current information on eye health and safety; and provide eye examinations and free or low-cost eye glasses to adults and replacement glasses to students.
Prevent Blindness Georgia
270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 606
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404-266-2020
www.preventblindness.org

TOOLS FOR LIFE
Tools for Life, Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program, is dedicated to increasing access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for Georgians of all ages and disabilities so they can live, learn, work and play independently and with greater freedom in communities of their choice.
Center for Inclusive Design & Innovation (formerly AMAC Accessibility)
512 Means Street
Suite 250
Atlanta, GA 30318
404- 894-0541
Toll Free: 1-866-279-2964
www.gatfl.gatech.edu
info@gatfl.org

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA)
Veterans and eligible active duty service members can get help for vision loss by first contacting the VIST Coordinator in the VA facility nearest their home. VIST locations can be found on the Blind Rehabilitation Service website at:
www.va.gov
http://www.va.gov/blindrehab/
202-461-7317
Toll Free: 1-800-224-4087

HEARING LOSS RESOURCES

GEORGIA CENTER OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (GCDHH)
Established in 1989, GCDHH is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides a variety of assistive services to the deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, deaf-blind, their family members, friends, and those with whom they interact. In addition to the main office in Decatur, satellite offices are operated in Columbus and Savannah, GA.
GCDHH Headquarters
4151 Memorial Drive, Suite 103-B
Decatur, GA 30032
TTY/Voice: 404-292-5312
Toll Free TTY/Voice: 1-800-541-0710
Fax: 404-299-3642
www.gachi.org

STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION
“Hear Now” is a national nonprofit program committed to assisting those permanently residing the in the U.S. who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and have no other resources to acquire hearing aids.
Toll Free: 1- 800-328-8602
Email: Hearnow@starkey.com or hearnow@starkeyfoundation.org
https://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org

HEARING AND VISION LOSS RESOURCES

GEORGIA LIONS LIGHTHOUSE, INC.
Low cost vision and hearing services for Georgians, including
full eye exams
eyeglasses
eye surgeries
digital hearing aids
vision and hearing screenings
Georgia Lions Lighthouse, Inc.
5582 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA 30341
404-325-3630
www.lionslighthouse.org

GEORGIA VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCY
DEAF-BLIND REHABILITATION SERVICES
Rebecca Cowan – Story MRC C.R.C.
State Coordinator of Deaf Blind Services
404-783-4193
rebecca.cowan-story@ablegeorgia.ga.gov
www.gvra.ga.gov

HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER (HKNC) FOR DEAF-BLIND YOUTHS AND ADULTS
The mission of HKNC is to enable each person who is Deaf-Blind to live and work in his or her community of choice.
Helen Keller National Center
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
Debbie Harlin
516-944-8900 x 328 (8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.)
Fax: 516-944-7302
www.hkncinfo@hknc.org 
www.hknc.org

Cory L. Parker
Southeast Regional Representative
Serving MS, AL, GA, FL, VI and PR
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf Blind Youths and Adults – HKNC
Southeast Office
P.O. Box 380
Concord, GA  30206
516-393-7733 Main office
850-270-6012 VP
cory.parker@hknc.org
www.hknc.org

Mark Armstrong, MA, M.Ed., CVRT
Older Adult Program Specialist
Senior Adult Services
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
P.O. Box 12222
Augusta, GA 30914
(706) 303-8494 Office
Fax: (706) 432-8134
mark.armstrong@hknc.org

iCANCONNECT/GA
GEORGIA NATIONAL DEAF-BLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM (GNDBEDP)
The iCanConnect/GA NDBEDP provides modern telecommunications technology free of charge to low-income individuals of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss.
GACHI, Inc. /www.gachi.org
4151 Memorial Drive, Suite 103-B
Decatur, GA 30032
678-235-3411 (V)
Toll Free: 877-659-4574
404-381-8354 (VP)