National & International Organizations
Every one has there own clubs and organizations, it‘s no different for the blind. Each organization, listed below, has its own goals and agendas. Many have local chapters where people meet and socialize, sharing ideas and solutions to life‘s problems. There are state conventions and national conventions, newsletters and causes to fight for. Some of these are government, or charitable agencies that provide services for the blind.
- Agencies for the Blind - USA – Each State has an Agency in charge of services for the blind. If you are looking for work, or training so you can get back to work, give your agency a call. They can also help with things like: personal care, reading, writing, mobility - learning to use a white cane or getting a guide dog.
- American Council of the Blind – is the nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people. It was founded in 1961.
- American Foundation for the Blind – is a non-profit organization founded in 1921 and recognized as Helen Keller's cause in the United States, (AFB) is a leading national resource for people who are blind or visually impaired.
- American Association of the Deaf-Blind – A national consumer advocacy organization for people who have combined hearing and vision impairments.
- National Federation of the Blind – Founded in 1940 by a group blind people. It was formed with one simple purpose - to help the blind to help themselves. They wanted all blind people treated equally, respected as individuals and for their contributions to society.
- The Blinded Veterans Association – is an organization specifically established to promote the welfare of blinded veterans.
- World Blind Union – is the international voice of over 50 million blind and visually impaired people world wide.
- International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) – Is an international association of individuals and organizations devoted to increasing access to education and rehabilitation services for blind and low vision persons worldwide.
- European Blind Union – The voice of blind and partially sighted people in Europe
- Royal National Institute for the Blind – They help blind and partially sighted people in the UK
- Look - The National Federation of Families With Visually Impaired Children – This is a (UK) based group.
- ENABLEnet – The Disabled People's Association Singapore
Starting Your Own Group
Most libraries, schools and churches have rooms that are available for nonprofit groups to use for meetings. To find members contact your state services for the blind and tell them about the new group. Offer to provide stamped postcards for them to address and send to blind people in your town. Most local newspapers and radio stations provide free (PSA's) - public service announcements. There is a group in my hometown, with over 300 members, that started out this way back in the 1960's.