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In 1991 Braille institute of America, one of the nation's largest educational and direct service
organizations, serving the visually impaired, launched a public education program featuring five videotapes (The Insight Series) and a toll-free information line. The overwhelming
response to date confirms that people who are dealing with sight loss, their families and friends, well as professionals in the field, are hungry for educational information.
For that reason, Braille institute is continuing its nation wide, toll-free information line, 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553)
Staffed by trained volunteers, this free service is
designed to help people who are blind or visually impaired find assistance in any part of the United States. This information and referral service does not provide counseling or
telephone companionship. It does help people locate programs and organizations in their local area that can assist them. Once medical solutions for sight loss are exhausted, the
patient may need the help of an organization geared to helping people adjust to diminished vision. Perhaps what is needed is the location of the local library for talking books.
1-800-BRAILLE can provide this information and more.
Sally Jameson, Braille Institute's Director of Communications states, "Because Macular Degeneration is usually age
related, it is not uncommon for the adult children of people who are dealing with it to seek out information and services for their parents or grandparents. This is where the
1-800-BRAILLE line can be very useful." She further states, "The 1-800-BRAILLE line can also be aware of local low vision services or programs for people who are legally
blind or visually impaired." Sally says, "We have often heard Braille Institute students say, 'If only my doctor had told me about these services'."
The Braille
Institute is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In 1919, when the Institute was established by a Montana cowboy blinded in an accidents there were only a few schools for
blind children and sheltered workshops for adults, who were trained in the "blind trades" (primarily leather crafts, broom making and caning chairs.) In the early part of
the 20th century there simply were no services for adults who were visually impaired. However, through the work of pioneers like Braille institute's founder Bob Atkinson, the American
Federation of the Blind, Helen Keller and others, services, training programs, employment, and talking books gradually became available.
Today, technology has given us talking
computers and CCTVs with color and clarity. There are many organizations throughout the United States providing a host of services for people who are visually impaired. For I stance,
56 branches of the National Library Service throughout the nation provide talking books and Braille materials at no cost to anyone who is visually impaired or physically or reading
disabled. Braille Institute's 1-800-BRAILLE information service can tell you how to get in touch with these services.
Remember, information about access technology and services
is only a phone call away. If you have questions, 1-800-BRAILLE may just have the answers you need. |
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