Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®Kelly Blackwell is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®. She has been a healthcare professional for over 30 years, with experience working as a bedside nurse and as a Clinical Manager. She has a passion for educating, assisting and advising seniors throughout the healthcare process.
Medicare Eligibility for People With Disabilities
Most people won’t qualify for Medicare until they turn 65, but you can qualify sooner if you have impaired vision or blindness because it’s considered a disability. You may be eligible if:
- You’re receiving SSDI: If you’ve previously held a job and paid into Social Security, your blindness or low vision may qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance. The Social Security Administration considers you legally blind if your eye with the best vision can’t be corrected to better than 20/200 or if your visual field in this eye is 20 degrees or less over at least 12 months. Even if your vision problems don’t qualify as blindness, you may still receive SSDI if your visual impairment prevents you from working. After receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months, you’re eligible for Medicare, no matter your age.
- You’re receiving disability benefits from RRB: The Railroad Retirement Board pays disability annuities for railroad workers who become totally or occupationally disabled. When you can’t perform any regular work, you’re declared disabled and entitled to a monthly railroad retirement disability annuity, which is payable at any age if you’ve been employed for at least 10 years. If you can’t continue your regular railroad occupation, you’re declared occupationally disabled and entitled to disability, which is payable at age 60 with 10 years of service or any age with 20 years of service. After receiving RRB disability benefits for 24 months, you can get Medicare coverage before age 65.
Eligibility type | How to qualify for Medicare | When you qualify for Medicare |
Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) | Everyone eligible for SSDI benefits is also eligible for Medicare | After a 24-month qualifying period |
U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) | Receiving disability benefits for a total disability | After receiving disability annuities for 24 months |
Can you work while receiving Medicare under a disability?
As long as you’re medically disabled, you can keep your Medicare coverage. While you’re working, you won’t have to pay your Medicare Part A premium for the first eight and a half years, but beyond this period, you will. However, there are some income limits and other rules you should know concerning your disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows you to work while receiving disability benefits through its work incentives rules, but your income must be under a set amount. In 2022, you can earn up to $2,260 per month if you have blindness and are receiving disability benefits, while disabled persons without blindness can only earn up to $1,350 per month. These earning limits usually change each year.
RRB benefits work differently and earning rules are stricter for disabled recipients than those who retired based on age and service. If you work for a railroad or other railroad industry employer, you won’t be paid your disability annuity. You will receive it when working for any other employer if your earnings don’t exceed $1,050 after deducting any disability-related work expenses.
Enrolling in Medicare With a Disability
You’re automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, called Original Medicare, the month in which you turn 65 if you’re receiving Social Security retirement benefits or the 25th month of your disability if you’re receiving SSDI. However, enrollment isn’t automatic for Medicare Part C, (an alternative to Original Medicare, called Medicare Advantage) or Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage. You must decide whether you want or need either of these options because there are only certain times when you’re allowed to sign up for them or make changes to your existing coverage .
Automatic Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment
Medicare for people with blindness often means automatic Medicare Part A and B enrollment. If you’ve received SSDI benefits or RRB disability benefits for 24 months, you’re automatically enrolled and your Medicare card is mailed to you before the 25th month of your disability.
If you’re still working while receiving disability and you have insurance coverage through your employer or you have coverage through your spouse’s insurance, you may decide you don’t want to enroll in Part B yet. Since most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A but always pay a premium for Part B, delaying Part B may be a beneficial option for you.
Not enrolling in Part B when you’re first eligible could cost you in the form of a late enrollment penalty, and you could have a coverage gap if you decide you want Part B later. Your monthly premium for Part B can go up by 10% for every 12 months you were eligible for it, but didn’t enroll. The longer you go without it, the higher the penalty, and you’ll usually have to pay this penalty every time you pay your premium for as long as you have Part B.
When to enroll in Medicare
Because enrollment isn’t automatic for Medicare Part C and Part D, be prepared for annual enrollment periods. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and B to enroll in Medicare Advantage. Part D prescription drug coverage is a stand-alone plan added to your Original Medicare but is often included in Medicare Advantage Plans. If you’re newly eligible for Medicare as a person with blindness, you can enroll during these times:
- Initial enrollment period: You can sign up for Medicare Part C or Part D plans anytime between the seven-month period that begins three months before your 25th month of receiving SSDI or RRB disability benefits through the three months after your 25th month of receiving these benefits.
- Open enrollment period: You can make changes to your Part C or Part D coverage from October 15 through December 7. This includes changing from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or vice versa, switching Medicare Advantage Plans or switching from one that doesn’t include drug coverage to one that does, or joining, switching, or dropping a Part D plan.
You can also switch Medicare Advantage Plans or go back to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31 if you already have Medicare Advantage.
Accessible Medicare information formats for visual impairments
Nearly 8% of Medicare beneficiaries have blindness or low vision and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants to ensure that all its electronic and written information is accessible to everyone. Changes CMS has made to facilitate accessibility include auxiliary aids and services to make Medicare for people with blindness more user-friendly, such as providing large-print or Braille materials, audio recordings, and eBook formats that let you use the zoom feature to enlarge the text.
You can request a format that’s more accessible for individuals with blindness or low vision by:
- Calling 1-800-MEDICARE
- Emailing [email protected]
- Faxing 1-844-530-3676
- Writing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Offices of Hearings and Inquiries, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S1-13-25, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Attn: Customer Accessibility Resource Staff
Always include your name, phone number, mailing address, and the type of information you need if known. This request only pertains to Medicare Part A and B information. If you’re enrolled in a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D Medicare drug plan, you must contact your plan provider to request accessible formats of their information. Contact your local or state Medicaid office to request accessible materials if you also receive Medicaid.
What Does Medicare Cover for People With Visual Impairment?
Original Medicare for people with blindness includes Part A hospital insurance to help cover inpatient hospital care and Part B medical insurance to help pay for doctors’ services. Medicare Advantage often covers services Original Medical doesn’t, including some vision services, and Part D may cover prescribed vision care products.
Medicare Part B low vision services
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services, including approved outpatient care, doctors’ services, and durable medical equipment your doctor orders for you. In 2022, the deductible for Part B coverage is $233, up from $203 in 2021. Once you’ve met your deductible, you generally pay 20% while Medicare covers 80% of the cost for covered medical services.
Routine eye exams and glasses typically aren’t covered, but certain eye diseases that jeopardize your vision and may cause blindness and exams for these diseases are covered, including:
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Detached retina
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
Part B also covers devices called durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and oxygen equipment. However, it doesn’t cover many low vision devices. For example, Part B covers regular canes, but not white canes intended for persons with blindness. It will cover an artificial eye required due to a birth defect, surgical removal, or trauma. Part B also covers one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses following cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens and cataract glasses for Aphakia or when the lens of your eye is gone. You typically pay 20% of the cost for DME, as you would other medical services.
Medicare Part D low vision services
Medicare Part D is your prescription drug coverage, which can be a stand-alone plan that complements your Original Medicare coverage or it may be rolled into a Medicare Advantage Plan. Either way, you typically have several options for prescription plans with various benefits and costs.
Medicare Part D premiums vary by plan, but the national average in 2022 was $38.18 per month. You may also have a deductible, which can vary from plan to plan. Some plans don’t have a deductible, but you will have a copayment/coinsurance cost that varies based on the type of drug being purchased. Your overall costs depend on the plan you choose, which is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare to provide drug coverage.
Prescription drug plans cover generic and name-brand drugs only and won’t cover any devices. Some drugs used in devices, such as nebulizers and external infusion pumps, are covered by Medicare Part B, not Part D. Most drugs are covered by Medicare Part D, which may include certain products related to low vision care. These can include eye drops and other vision-related medications prescribed by your doctor to treat specific eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
What’s not covered
Unfortunately, Medicare for people with blindness does not include many low vision services and devices you may need. Medicare typically doesn’t cover low vision exams or refraction, except under specific circumstances, or treatment at a low vision clinic. Medicare Advantage Plans may provide partial coverage for vision care, exams, and correction products. Compare Medicare Advantage Plans to assess vision benefits along with costs.
Since 2008, any device with a lens has been excluded from Medicare coverage. Except for certain situations, this rule effectively leaves out eyeglasses and other low vision optical devices, such as hand-held or stand magnifiers and hand-held, clip-on, or spectacle-mounted telescopes. Medicare also doesn’t cover white canes to assist those with blindness or assistive tools, such as video magnifier systems or specialized software that enlarges computer text or reads text aloud.
Rehabilitation services to teach you skills like using a white cane and vocational services to help make your workplace low vision accessible or provide training for a new career more conducive to visual impairment aren’t covered. Medicare also won’t cover service animals, which can help vision-impaired individuals lead more independent, self-reliant lives. Fortunately, some nonprofit organizations can help place you with a service animal.
Efforts to expand Medicare coverage of low vision devices
There have been many efforts to expand Medicare for people with blindness, particularly for the coverage of low vision devices. Organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, and the American Council of the Blind continually lobby against rules that exclude low vision aids from being considered durable medical equipment and make them eligible for Medicare Part B reimbursement.
The most recent bill, HR 4311 Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021 seeks to provide coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care to Medicare receipiants. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 2, 2021, though it has not yet been passed.
Medicare Resources for People With Vision Disabilities
There are numerous highly authoritative resources nationwide to help you learn more about getting Medicare for people with blindness and low vision. These organizations often offer free Medicare counseling to help you understand your coverage options and costs.
- National Council on Aging: NCOA’s Age Well Planner helps you navigate your Medicare choices, including access to resources and tools, and experts can assist you with coverage options, costs, and finding the right plan.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Programs: SHIP counselors educate and help Medicare-eligible individuals through counseling and training at assistance centers located in every state. You can meet with highly trained volunteers who help 1,000s of people navigate their Medicare options each year.
- National Federation of the Blind: The NFB is the largest organization of people with blindness or who are losing their vision. You’ll find state affiliates nationwide offering programs on training, education, advocacy, outreach, and assistive technology.
- Administration on Aging: The AOA helps support local Area Agencies on Aging and SHIP programs to help you with your Medicare options, and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers program can help disabled individuals apply for special assistance through Medicare.
- Medicare: Medicare provides a wealth of information to help you learn more about Medicare, explore costs, find providers and health and drug plans, and figure out if you’re eligible for a new plan. It offers a live chat and toll-free number to get answers to your Medicare-related questions.
- The Medicare Rights Center: The Medicare Rights Center is a nationwide nonprofit consumer service organization that helps you access affordable health care and provides Medicare-related assistance through counseling, educational programs, and advocacy. It provides expert assistance through its free national helpline.
- Senior Medicare Patrol: SMP assists you with the detection, prevention, and reporting of health care errors, fraud, and abuse. It has local offices in states across the country where you can attend group presentations or receive one-on-one assistance.
- Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman helps you with Medicare-related complaints and information requests, including your rights and protections under Medicare and what you need to know to make health care decisions that are right for you. Each state has a local ombudsman office, usually in its SHIP office.
- Center for Medicare Advocacy: The Center for Medicare Advocacy’s National Medicare Advocates Alliance provides a collaborative network to share resources and important developments to Medicare beneficiaries throughout the nation. It also produces informative materials on Medicare-related topics.
- National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: The N4A administers Aging & Disability Resource Centers in state offices nationwide and are trusted sources of information on long-term support options and access to public long-term support programs and benefits, including Medicare.
State Low Vision Resources
Connect with local resources in your state that offer a variety of programs for those who are visually impaired, ranging from rehabilitation programs to help get the assistive equipment you need to enhance your quality of life. Learn what each state has to offer below.
Alabama
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services | 602 South Lawrence Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
334-293-7500 | rehab.alabama.gov/about/contact-us |
Alabama Lions Sight | 700 South 18th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 |
205-325-8519 | [email protected] |
Community Services for Vision Rehabilitation | 600 Bel Air Boulevard Suite 110 Mobile, AL 36606 |
251-476-4744 | [email protected] |
EyeSight Foundation of Alabama | 700 South 18th Street Suite 123 Birmingham, AL 35233 |
205-325-8620 | eyesightfoundation.org/contact-us |
Sight Savers America | 337 Business Circle Pelham, AL 35124 |
877-942-2627 Ext 238 | [email protected] |
Alaska
Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 3903 Taft Drive Anchorage, AK 99517 |
907-248-7770 800-770-7517 | [email protected] |
Assistive Technology of Alaska | 1500 West 33rd Avenue Suite 120 Anchorage, AK 99503 |
907-563-2599 | [email protected] |
Access Alaska | 400 Cushman Street Fairbanks, AK 99701 |
907-479-7940 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Alaska | 8120 Berry Patch Drive Anchorage, AK 99502 |
907-301-6808 | [email protected] |
Alaska State Library Talking Book Center | 395 Whittier Street Juneau, AK 99801 |
888-820-4525 | [email protected] |
Arizona
Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 3100 East Roosevelt Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 |
602-273-7411 | [email protected] |
Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired | 3767 East Grant Road Tucson, AZ 85716 |
520-795-1331 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona | 5147 East Circulo Las Cabanas Tucson, AZ 85711 |
888-899-6322 | [email protected] |
Arizona Talking Book Library | 1030 North 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 |
602-255-5578 | [email protected] |
Arkansas
Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind | 1 Commerce Way Little Rock, AR 72202 |
501-682-5463 | [email protected] |
AAA of Northwest Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind | 700 Main Street Little Rock, AR 72203 |
800-960-9270 | N/A |
National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas | 844 Lariat Street, #C Springdale, AR 72764 |
479-435-8348 | [email protected] |
Arkansas Increasing Capabilities Access Network | 900 West 7th Street Little Rock, AR 72201 |
501-666-8868 800-828-2799 |
ar-ican.org/contact-us |
California
California Department of Rehabilitation Blind Field Services | 721 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814 |
916-558-5480 | [email protected] |
Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 2453 Grand Canal Boulevard Suite 5 Stockton, CA 95207 |
209-466-3836 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of California | 4226 Castanos Street Fremont, CA 94536 |
916-382-0372 | [email protected] |
Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County | 225 Laurel Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950 |
831-649-3505 | [email protected] |
Blindness Support Services Inc. | 3696 Beatty Drive Riverside, CA 92506 |
951-341-9244 | [email protected] |
Colorado
Colorado Department of Human Services, DVR | 633 17th Street, Suite 1501 Denver, CO 80202 |
303-318-7100 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado | 2233 West Shepperd Avenue Littleton, CO 80120 |
303-778-1130 | [email protected] |
American Council of the Blind Of Colorado | 545 North Broadway PMB 10 Denver, CO 80203 |
303-831-0117 | [email protected] |
Ensight Skills Center | 1740 South College Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80525 |
970-407-9999 | ensightskills.org/contact-us |
Connecticut
Connecticut State Department of Aging and Disability Services – Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind | 55 Farmington Avenue 12th Floor Hartford, CT 06105 |
860-424-5055 | [email protected] |
Lions Low Vision Center of Eastern Connecticut | PO Box 43 Colchester, CT 06415 |
860-377-2063 | lionslowvisionctr.org/index.php/contact |
Connecticut State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped | 198 West Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 |
860-721-2020 800-842-4516 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut | 111 Sheldon Road, Unit 420 Manchester, CT 06045 |
860-289-1971 | [email protected] |
Delaware
Delaware DHSS Division for the Visually Impaired | 1901 North DuPont Highway Biggs Building, Door 3 New Castle, DE 19720 |
302-255-9800 | N/A |
National Federation of the Blind of Delaware | 24 Monterry Drive Newark, DE 19713 |
302-368-2963 | [email protected] |
Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center | 18 North Walnut Street First Floor Milford, DE 19963 |
800-223-9074 | [email protected] |
Blindsight Delaware | 2915 Newport Gap Pike Wilmington, DE 19808 |
302-998-5913 888-777-3925 |
[email protected] |
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative | 461 Wyoming Road Newark, DE 19716 |
800-870-DATI (3284) | [email protected] |
District of Columbia
NFB of the District of Columbia | PO Box 29141 Washington, DC 20017 |
202-352-1511 | [email protected] |
American Council of the Blind | 1155 15th Street, NW Suite 1004 Washington, DC 20005 |
202-467-5081 800-424-8666 |
[email protected] |
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind | 1825 K Street, NW Suite 1103 Washington, DC 20006 |
202-454-6400 | clb.org/contact |
N4A Aging & Disability Resource Centers | 1100 New Jersey Avenue, SE Suite 350 Washington, DC 20003 |
202-872-0888 | [email protected] |
DC Public Library Adaptive Services Division | 901 G Street, NW, Room 215 Washington, DC 20001 |
202-727-2142 | [email protected] |
Florida
Florida Division of Blind Services | 325 West Gaines Street Turlington Building Suite 1114 Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
850-245-0300 800-342-1828 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Florida | 11551 SW 90th Street Miami, FL 33176 |
305-972-8529 | [email protected] |
Lighthouse of the Big Bend | 3071 HIghland Oaks Terrace Tallahassee FL 32301 |
850-942-3658 888-827-6033 |
[email protected] |
Florida Center for the Blind | 1411 NE 22nd Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 |
352-873-4700 | N/A |
Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired | 1187 Dunn Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114 |
800-364-1610 | [email protected] |
Georgia
Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services | 2 Peachtree Street NW 33rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30303 |
404-657-5258 866-552-4464 |
dhs.georgia.gov/contact-form |
Georgia Tech Tools for Life | 512 Means Street, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30318 |
404-894-0541 | gatfl.gatech.edu/requesthelp.php |
Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision | 1141 Cornell Avenue Savannah, GA 31406 |
912-236-4473 | savannahcblv.org/contact |
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia | 1696 West Caribaea Trail SE Atlanta, GA 30316 |
404-371-1000 | [email protected] |
Hawaii
Hawaii DHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Ho‘Opono Services for the Blind | 1010 Richards, Suite 217 Honolulu, HI 96813 |
808-586-5269 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Hawaii | PO Box 4605 Honolulu, HI 96812 |
808-722-4243 | [email protected] |
Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii | 200 North Vineyard Boulevard, Suite 430 Honolulu HI 96817 |
808-532-7112 | [email protected] |
Hawaii Association of the Blind | PO Box 60640 Ewa Beach, HI 96706 |
808-521-7648 | [email protected] |
Idaho
Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 341 West Washington Boise, ID 83720 |
208-334-3220 800-542-8688 |
[email protected] |
Idaho Commission on Aging | 3380 Americana Terrace, #120 Boise, ID 83706 |
208-334-3833 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Idaho | 1320 East Washington Street Boise, ID 83712 |
208-345-3906 | [email protected] |
Idaho Talking Book Service | 325 West State Street Boise, ID 83702 |
800-458-3271 | [email protected] |
Illinois
Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services, Bureau of Blind Services | 1151 South Wood Street Chicago, IL 60612 |
312-633-3532 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Illinois | 5128 North Oak Park Avenue Chicago, IL 60656 |
312-343-8396 | [email protected] |
Illinois Assistive Technology Program | 1020 South Spring Street Springfield, IL 62704 |
217-522-7985 800-852-5110 |
[email protected] |
The Chicago Lighthouse | 1850 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 |
312-666-1331 | [email protected] |
Blind Services Association | 17 North State Street Suite 1050 Chicago, IL 60602 |
312-236-0808 | [email protected] |
Indiana
National Federation of the Blind of Indiana | 6010 Winnpeny Lane Indianapolis, IN 46220 |
317-213-7031 | [email protected] |
Indiana FSSA, DDRS, Blind and Visually Impaired Services | 402 West Washington Street, Room W453 Indianapolis, IN 46207 |
800-545-7763 877-241-8144 |
[email protected] |
Evansville Association for the Blind | 500 North 2nd Avenue Evansville, IN 47710 |
812-422-1181 | evansvilleblind.org/contact |
League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc. | 5821 South Anthony Boulevard Fort Wayne, IN 46816 |
260-441-0551 800-889-3443 |
[email protected] |
Iowa
Iowa Department for the Blind | 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, IA 50309 |
515-281-1333 800-362-2587 |
[email protected] |
Iowa Department on Aging | 510 East 12th Street, Suite 2 Des Moines, IA 50319 |
515-725-3333 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Iowa | PO Box 93071 Des Moines, IA 50393 |
515-720-5282 | [email protected] |
Kansas
Kansas Department for Children and Families, Blind and Visually Impaired Services | 555 South Kansas, 3rd Floor Topeka, KS 66603 |
785-368-7471 866-213-9079 |
[email protected] |
Envision Rehabilitation Center | 610 North Main Wichita, KS 67203 |
316-440-1600 866-319-4646 |
[email protected] |
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services | New England Building 503 South Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS 66603 |
785-296-4986 800-432-3535 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Kansas | 120 East 1st Street, Apt. 7N Wichita, KS 67202 |
316-734-4839 | [email protected] |
Kansas Talking Books | 1 Kellogg Circle Emporia, KS 66801 |
620-341-6280 800-362-0699 |
[email protected] |
Kentucky
Kentucky Career Center Blind Services Division | Mayo-Underwood Building 500 Mero Street 4th Floor NE Frankfort, KY 40601 |
502-564-4440 800-372-7172 |
[email protected] |
Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind Services | 1324 Madison Avenue Covington, KY 41011 |
859-371-3380 | [email protected] |
Bluegrass Council of the Blind, Inc. | 1093 South Broadway Suite 1214 Lexington, KY 40504 |
859-259-1834 | [email protected] |
KATS Network | 8412 Westport Road Louisville, KY 40242 |
800-327-5287 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Kentucky | 4805 South Fourth Street Louisville, KY 40214 |
502-500-7675 | [email protected] |
Louisiana
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana Training Center | 409 West St. Mary Boulevard Lafayette, LA, 70506 |
337-234-6492 800-319-4444 |
affiliatedblind.org/contact-us/email-us |
Louisiana Center for the Blind | 101 South Trenton Street Ruston, LA 71270 |
318-251-2891 800-234-4166 |
[email protected] |
Louisiana Association for the Blind | 1750 Claiborne Avenue Shreveport, LA 71103 |
318-635-6471 877-913-6471 |
[email protected] |
Lighthouse Louisiana | 123 State Street New Orleans, LA 70118 |
504-899-4501 888-792-0163 |
[email protected] |
Maine
National Federation of the Blind of Maine | 33 Morse Avenue Lewiston, ME 04240 |
207-212-1455 | [email protected] |
Maine Department of Labor, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 2 Anthony Avenue #150 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 |
800-794-1110 800-698-4440 |
N/A |
The Iris Network | 189 Park Avenue Portland, ME 04102 |
207-774-6273 | www.theiris.org/contact-us |
SeniorsPlus | 8 Falcon Road Lewiston, ME 04240 |
207-795-4010 800-427-1241 |
[email protected] |
Maryland
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind | 8720 Georgia Avenue Suite 210 Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
301-589-0894 877-595-9228 |
[email protected] |
Blind Industries & Services of Maryland | 3345 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21227 |
410-737-2648 888-322-4567 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Maryland | 15 Charles Plaza Apartment 3002 Baltimore, MD 21201 |
443-426-4110 | [email protected] |
Maryland DORS’ Office for Blindness & Vision Services | 2301 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21218 |
410-554-9442 888-554-0334 |
[email protected] |
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind | 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111 |
617-727-5550 800-392-6450 |
[email protected] |
Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 200 Ivy Street Brookline, MA 02446 |
888-613-2777 | [email protected] |
American Macular Degeneration Foundation | PO Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061 |
413-268-7660 888-622-8527 |
macular.org/contact-us |
National Federation of the Blind Massachusetts | 806 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 |
617-819-4632 | [email protected] |
Lowell Association for the Blind | 169 Merrimack Street 2nd Floor Lowell, MA 01852 |
978-454-5704 | [email protected] |
Michigan
Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons | 702 West Kalamazoo Street Lansing, MI 48909 |
517-241-1100 800-292-4200 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Michigan | 29619 Fox Run Circle Warren, MI 48092 |
586-754-1325 | [email protected] |
Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired | 456 Cherry SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
616-458-1187 800-466-8084 |
[email protected] |
Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 16625 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48227 |
313-272-3900 | [email protected] |
National Council of State Agencies for the Blind | PO Box 30007 Lansing, MI 48915 |
800-292-4200 | [email protected] |
Minnesota
National Federation of the Blind Minnesota | 100 East 22nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 |
612-872-9363 | [email protected] |
Minnesota State Services for the Blind | 2200 University Avenue W Suite 240 Saint Paul, MN 55114 |
651-539-2300 | [email protected] |
BLIND, Inc. | 100 East 22nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 |
612-872-0100 800-597-9558 |
[email protected] |
The Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss | 4505 West Superior Street Suite A Duluth, MN 55807 |
218-624-4828 800-422-0833 |
[email protected] |
Minnesota STAR Program | 358 Centennial Office Building 658 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN 55155 |
651-201-2640 888-234-1267 |
[email protected] |
Mississippi
Mississippi Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind | 1281 Highway 51 North Madison, MS 39110 |
601-853-5210 800-443-1000 |
[email protected] |
Mississippi Library Commission Talking Book Services | 3881 Eastwood Drive Jackson, MS 39211 |
601-432-4151 800-446-0892 |
[email protected] |
Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center | 2550 Peachtree Street Jackson, MS 39216 |
601-364-2700 | [email protected] |
Missouri
Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind | 615 Howerton Court Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
573-751-4249 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri | 7928 Northwest Milrey Drive Kansas City, MO 64152 |
816-741-6402 | [email protected] |
Missouri Assistive Technology | 1501 Northwest Jefferson Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 |
816-655-6700 | [email protected] |
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services | 912 Wildwood Jefferson City, MO 65102 |
573-751-6400 | [email protected] |
Alphapointe Association for the Blind | 7501 Prospect Kansas City, MO 64132 |
816-421-5848 | [email protected] |
Montana
Montana DPHHS Blind and Low Vision Services | 111 North Last Chance Gulch Suite 4C Helena, MT 59604 |
406-444-2590 877-296-1197 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Montana | PO Box 1325 Great Falls, MT 59403 |
406-438-1421 | [email protected] |
MonTECH: Montana’s Statewide Assistive Technology Program | 29 McGill Hall University of Montana Missoula, MT 59812 |
406-243-5511 | [email protected] |
Montana Talking Book Library | 1515 East 6th Avenue Helena, MT 59620 |
406-444-3115 800-338-5087 |
[email protected] |
Nebraska
Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 4600 Valley Road, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68510 | 402-471-2891 877-809-2419 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Nebraska | 1026 South 35th Street Lincoln, NE 68510 | 402-477-7711 | ne.nfb.org/contact |
Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership | 5143 South 48th Street Suite C Lincoln, NE 68516-2204 | 402-471-0734 877-713-4002 |
[email protected] |
Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service | The Atrium 1200 North Street, Suite 120 Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 | 402-471-4038 800-742-7691 |
nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/mail/mail2staff.asp?talkingbook |
Nevada
Nevada Rehabilitation Division, Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired | 3016 West Charleston Boulevard, Suite 215 Las Vegas, NV 89102 | 702-486-0372 | [email protected] |
Nevada Talking Book Services | 100 North Stewart Street Carson City, NV 89701 | 775-684-3367 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Nevada | PO Box 20041 Reno, NV 89515 | 702-524-0835 | [email protected] |
Blind Center of Nevada | 1001 North Bruce Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 | 702-642-6000 | [email protected] |
Nevada Council of the Blind | PO Box 364496 North Las Vegas, NV 89036 | 702-383-0600 | [email protected] |
New Hampshire
New Hampshire DOE Services for Blind & Visually Impaired | Walker Building 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20 Concord, NH 03301 | 603-271-3537 800-581-6881 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind New Hampshire | N/A | 603-864-8847 | [email protected] |
Future in Sight | 25 Walker Street Concord, NH 03301 | 603-224-4039 800-464-3075 |
[email protected] |
Assistive Technology in New Hampshire | UNH Institute on Disability 10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101 Durham, NH 03824 | 603-862-4320 | [email protected] |
New Jersey
New Jersey DHS Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 153 Halsey Street, 6th Floor Newark, NJ 07101 | 973-648-3333 877-685-8878 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind New Jersey | PO Box 185 Keyport, NJ 07735 | 732-421-7063 | [email protected] |
The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center | 210 South Broad Street 3rd Floor Trenton, NJ 08608 | 609-292-9742 800-922-7233 |
[email protected] |
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark | 505 South Avenue East Cranford, NJ 07016 | 908-497-3950 | [email protected] |
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey | 155 Morris Avenues Suite 2 Denville, NJ 07834 | 973-627-0055 | [email protected] |
New Mexico
New Mexico Commission for the Blind | 2200 Yale Boulevard SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 | 505-841-8844 888-513-7958 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico | 700 New York Avenue Alamogordo, NM 88310 | 575-921-5422 | [email protected] |
New Mexico Technology Assistance Program | 625 Silver Avenue SW Suite 100 B Albuquerque, NM 87102 | 505-841-4464 877-696-1470 |
[email protected] |
Library for the Blind & Print Disabled | 1209 Camino Carlos Rey Santa Fe, NM 87507 | 505-476-9770 800-456-5515 |
[email protected] |
New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department | 2550 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87505 | 505-476-4799 866-451-2901 |
[email protected] |
New York
New York State Commission for the Blind | 52 Washington Street South Building 201 Rensselaer, NY 12144 | 518-473-1675 866-871-3000 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of New York | 2175 Sheridan Drive Buffalo, NY 14223 | 716-222-3632 | [email protected] |
Association for the Visually Impaired | 260 Old Nyack Turnpike Spring Valley, NY 10977 | 845-574-4950 | [email protected] |
Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment | 174 Court Street Binghamton, NY 13901 | 607-724-2428 | [email protected] |
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 507 Kent Street Utica, NY 13501 | 315-797-2233 877-719-9996 |
[email protected] |
North Carolina
NCDHS Services for the Blind | 2601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 | 919-527-6700 866-222-1546 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of North Carolina | 137 Kristens Court Drive Mooresville, NC 28115 | 704-302-7308 | [email protected] |
Metrolina Association for the Blind | 704 Louise Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204 | 704-372-3870 | mabnc.org/contact-us |
SLNC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped | 109 East Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-814-6780 | [email protected] |
North Dakota
North Dakota Vision Rehabilitation Services | 1000 East Divide Avenue Bismarck, ND 58501 | 701-328-8954 | [email protected] |
North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind | 500 Stanford Road Grand Forks, ND 58203 | 701-795-2700 800-421-1181 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota | 26 Roberts Street Fargo, ND 58102 | 701-781-2526 | [email protected] |
North Dakota Assistive Technology | 3240-15th Street South Suite B Fargo, ND 58104 | 701-365-4728 800-895-4728 |
[email protected] |
North Dakota State Library Talking Book Services | 604 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505 | 701-328-4622 800-472-2104 |
[email protected] |
Ohio
Ohio Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired | 400 East Campus View Boulevard Columbus, OH 43235 | 800-282-4536 | ood.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/ood/about-us/contact-us |
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio | PO Box 20544 Dayton, OH 45420 | 937-396-5573 | [email protected] |
Assistive Technology of Ohio | 1314 Kinnear Road Columbus, OH 43212 | 614-292-2390 800-784-3425 |
[email protected] |
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 2045 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 513-221-8558
888-687-3935 |
[email protected] |
Cleveland Sight Center | 1909 East 101st Street Cleveland, OH 44106 | 216-791-8118 | [email protected] |
Oklahoma
OKDRS Blind and Visually Impaired Services | 3535 NW 58th Street Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 | 405-951-3460 | oklahoma.gov/okdrs/information/about-us/contact-us1.html |
National Federation of the Blind Oklahoma | 505 Baker Street Norman, OK 73072 | 405-600-0695 | [email protected] |
New View Oklahoma | 501 North Douglas Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73106 | 855-811-9699 | [email protected] |
OKDHS Community Living, Aging and Protective Services | PO Box 53159 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 | 405-521-2281 800-211-2116 |
N/A |
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped | 300 Northeast 18th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105 | 405-521-3514 800-523-0288 |
[email protected] |
Oregon
Oregon Commission for the Blind | 535 Southeast 12th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 |
971-673-1588 888-202-5463 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Oregon | 522 65th Street Springfield, OR 97478 |
541-653-9153 | [email protected] |
Oregon’s Statewide Assistive Technology Program | 2225 Lancaster Drive NE Salem, OR 97305 |
503-361-1201 800-677-7512 |
[email protected] |
Independent Living Resources | 1839 Northeast Couch Street Portland, OR 97232 |
503-232-7411 | [email protected] |
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services | 1521 North 6th Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 |
717-787-6176 800-622-2842 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania | 108 Parkview Drive Phoenixville, PA 19460 |
215-988-0888 | [email protected] |
Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 919 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
267-551-0561 | [email protected] |
Beaver County Association for the Blind | 616 Fourth Street Beaver Falls, PA 15010 |
724-843-1111 | [email protected] |
Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh | 1816 Locust Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
412-368-4400 | bvrspittsburgh.org/contact-us/ |
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 40 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903 |
401-462-7909 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island | PO Box 14404 East Providence, RI 02914 |
401-433-2606 | [email protected] |
INSIGHT | 43 Jefferson Boulevard Warwick, RI 02888 |
401-941-3322 | [email protected] |
Rhode Island Talking Books Library | One Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908 |
401-574-9300 | [email protected] |
South Carolina
South Carolina Commission for the Blind | 1430 Confederate Avenue Columbia, SC 29202 |
803-898-8731 888-335-5951 |
sccb.state.sc.us/contact.php |
National Federation of the Blind South Carolina | N/A | 803-960-9977 | [email protected] |
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC | 1 Carriage Lane, Building A Charleston, SC 29407 |
843-723-6915 | [email protected] |
South Carolina Assistive Technology Program | Midlands Center 8301 Farrow Road Columbia, SC 29203 |
803-935-5263 | [email protected] |
South Carolina Talking Book Services | 1500 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201 |
803-734-4611 800-922-7818 |
[email protected] |
South Dakota
SDDHS Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired | 3800 East Highway 34 c/o 500 East Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501 |
605-773-4644 800-265-9684 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind South Dakota | 708 East 20 Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 |
605-339-9207 | [email protected] |
South Dakota Braille and Talking Book Library | South Dakota State Library 800 Governor’s Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2235 |
605-773-3131 800-423-6665 (Press 1) |
[email protected] |
Tennessee
TNDHS Blind & Visually Impaired Services | 520 West Summit Hill Drive Knoxville, TN 37902 |
615-313-4914 800-628-7818 |
N/A |
National Federation of the Blind Tennessee | N/A | 615-412-9632 | [email protected] |
Tennessee Technology Access Program | James K. Polk State Office Building, 15th Floor 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243 |
615-313-5183 800-732-5059 |
[email protected] |
West Tennessee Special Technology Access Resource Center | The STAR Center 1119 Old Humboldt Road Jackson, TN 38305 |
731-668-3888 | [email protected] |
Lions Volunteer Blind Industries/Opportunity East | 758 West Morris Boulevard Morristown, TN 37813 |
423-586-3998 | [email protected] |
Texas
TWC Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center | 4800 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78756 |
512-377-0300 800-628-5115 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Texas | 1600 East Highway 6 Suite 215 Alvin, TX 77511 |
281-968-7733 | [email protected] |
Texas Technology Access Program | J. Neils Thompson Commons Building Suite 1.154 2901 Read Granberry Trail Austin, TX 78758 |
512-232-0740 800-828-7839 |
[email protected] |
Texas State Library Talking Book Program | 1201 Brazos Street Austin, TX 78701 |
512-463-5458 800-252-9605 |
[email protected] |
Utah
DWS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 250 North 1950 W, Suite B Salt Lake City, UT 84116 |
801-323-4343 800-284-1823 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Utah | 266 Elizabeth Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 |
801-463-6632 | [email protected] |
Utah State Library Program for the Blind & Disabled | Utah State Library Division 250 North 1950 West, Suite A Salt Lake City, UT 84116 |
801-715-6789 800-662-5540 |
[email protected] |
Utah Assistive Technology Program | 6855 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322 |
800-524-5152 | [email protected] |
Utah DHS Aging and Adult Services | 195 North 1950 W Salt Lake City, UT 84116 |
801-538-4171 | [email protected] |
Vermont
Vermont Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671 |
802-241-0326 888-405-5005 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Vermont | 17 Brault Park Swanton, VT 05488 |
802-370-2663 | [email protected] |
Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | 60 Kimball Avenue South Burlington, VT 05403 |
802-863-1358 800-639-5861 |
[email protected] |
Virginia
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired | 397 Azalea Avenue Richmond, VA 23227 |
804-371-3140 800-622-2155 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia | 1511 North Jackson Street Arlington, VA 22201 |
202-285-4595 | [email protected] |
American Council of the Blind | 1703 North Beauregard Street Suite 420 Alexandria, VA 22311 |
202-467-5081 800-424-8666 |
[email protected] |
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired | 401 Azalea Avenue Richmond, VA 23227 |
804-371-3151 800-622-2155 |
dbvireferralsandinquiriesdbvi@dbv |
Arlington Library Talking Book Service | Arlington Central Library 1015 North Quincy Street Arlington, VA 22201 |
703-228-6333 | [email protected] |
Washington
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind | 4565 7th Avenue SE, 2nd Floor Lacey, WA 98503 |
360-725-3830 800-552-7103 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Washington | PO Box 2516 Seattle, WA 98111 |
425-823-6380 | [email protected] |
Edith Bishel Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired | 628 North Arthur Street Kennewick, WA 99336 |
509-735-0699 855-665-8547 |
[email protected] |
Lilac Services for the Blind | 1212 North Howard Street Spokane, WA 99201 |
509-328-9116 800-422-7893 |
[email protected] |
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program | University of Washington UW Box 357920 Seattle, WA 98195 |
800-214-8731 | [email protected] |
West Virginia
WVDRS Blind and Visually Impaired Field Services | 107 Capital Street Charleston, WV 25301 |
304-356-2095 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia | 5309 Venable Avenue Charleston, WV 25304 |
304-206-4044 | [email protected] |
Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind | 38 Washington Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 |
304-522-6991 | [email protected] |
West Virginia Assistive Technology Systems | 959 Hartman Run Road Morgantown, WV 26505 |
800-841-8436 | [email protected] |
WV Library for the Blind and Print Disabled | 1900 Kanawha Boulevard E Charleston, WV 25305 |
304-558-4061 800-642-8674 |
[email protected] |
Wisconsin
Wisconsin DHS Office of the Blind and Visually Impaired | 1 West Wilson Street Madison, WI 53701 |
888-879-0017 | [email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind Wisconsin | 27824 Nuthatch Road Kendall, WI 54638 |
608-622-7632 | [email protected] |
Vision Forward Association | 912 Hawley Road Milwaukee, WI 53213 |
414-615-0100 | [email protected] |
Wisconsin Assistive Technology Program | 1 West Wilson Street Madison, WI 53703 |
608-514-2513 | [email protected] |
Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired | 754 Williamson Street Madison, WI 53703 |
608-255-1166 800-783-5213 |
[email protected] |
Wyoming
WDE Vision Outreach Services | 122 West 25th Street Suite E200 Cheyenne, WY 82002 |
307-857-9267 | [email protected] |
Wyoming Independent Living Visually Impaired Program | 305 West 1st Street Casper, WY 82601 |
307-266-6956 800-735-8322 |
[email protected] |
National Federation of the Blind of Wyoming | N/A | 319-883-9013 | [email protected] |
Wyoming State Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled | 2800 Central Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82002 |
307-777-7281 | [email protected] |
Wyoming DOH Community Living Section | 2300 Capitol Avenue 4th Floor Cheyenne, WY 82002 |
307-777-7995 800-442-2766 |
health.wyo.gov/header-contact-form/?page-id=87 |
Learn More From Our Sources
- Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services | Improving Communication Access for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision | Last accessed December 2024
- CMS | Communications Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities | Last accessed December 2024
- CMS | Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices | Last accessed December 2024
- CMS | Your Guide to Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Accessibility & Nondiscrimination Notice | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Artificial Eyes & Limbs | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Canes | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Durable Medical Equipment Coverage | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Eye Exams (for Diabetes) | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Getting Medicare if You Have a Disability | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Glaucoma Tests | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Joining a Health or Drug Plan | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Macular Degeneration Tests & Treatment | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Medicare Costs at a Glance | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare | Part B Late Enrollment Penalty | Last accessed December 2024
- Medicare |How to Get Prescription Drug Coverage | Last accessed December 2024
- RRB | How Work Affects Your Disability Annuity | Last accessed December 2024
- Social Security Administration | Disability Benefits, How You Qualify | Last accessed December 2024
- SSA | If You’re Blind or Have Low Vision, How We Can Help | Last accessed December 2024
- SSA | Working While Disabled: How We Can Help | Last accessed December 2024
- U.S. Railroad Retirement Board | Medicare for Railroad Workers and Their Families | Last accessed December 2024