BPN Partners and Resources
Blind Professionals Network is proud to partner with organizations, agencies and business that support and enhance the blind and visually impaired community. We recognize the importance of sharing resources to unite and empower one another. Be sure to take advantage of the resources below and feel free to share with others!
BVI Resource List
| Partner/Resource Name | Contact Name | Phone | Website | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Star Eye Care | Katie L. Friedman, LDO | 808-670-7576 | Katie@5StarEyeCare.com | www.5stareyecare.com | Speaker, Author, Educator, Optician Low Vision Specialist with services that bridge the eye doctor with their patients going blind, who consults doctor's offices to help their low vision patients transition from low vision to blindness, with Hope, resources, tools and devices. | |
| Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind | Andy Burstein | 2157999900 | andy@accessiblepharmacy.com | www.accessiblePharmacy.com | Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind is a comprehensive, home delivery pharmacy service specializing in the needs of people who are blind, DeafBlind and have low vision. We are the only provider of its kind and the largest blind-owned healthcare company in the country. | |
| Aira | N/A | 800-835-1934 | support@aira.io | www.aira.io | Aira is a live, human-to-human professional assistance service, an accommodation or productivity tool, that enhances independence by delivering on-demand, skilled and reliable visual interpreting for just about any task. | |
| American Council of the Blind (ACB) | N/A | N/A | info@ACB.org | www.ACB.org | ACB advocates for equality of people who are blind and visually impaired, inspires community, and connects you with education, resources, and each other to support your independence. | |
| APH Connect Center | N/A | 800-232-5463 | connectcenter@aph.org | www.AphConnectCenter.org | Empowering people toward greater independence and lifelong success by providing curated information and resources to assist children, parents, job seekers, adults, and older people who are blind or visually impaired. | |
| Back in Motion Massage Center | Donna Burr | 910-331-1555 | backinmotionmassagecenter@gmail.com | We are a massage services center specializing in relaxation and rejuvenation. | ||
| Be My Eyes | N/A | N/A | N/A | www.BeMyEyes.com | Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call. | |
| Blind Accessibility Tips | N/A | N/A | blindaccessibilitytips@gmail.com | blindaccessibilitytips.com | Blind Accessibility Tips is a website set up with tutorials to show blind and visually impaired people how to use their Windows computers and smartphones. The website is focused on the basics, getting persons with vision loss immediate assistance with learning how to use their devices as soon as they obtain them. The idea is that the blind person will build on the skill over time, after having first receive the basics through the website, and become excellent at using the device independently. The website, blindaccessibilitytips.com, is still being updated but still already has plenty of tutorials which consist of both text and videos. | |
| Blind Delights | Stephanie Barrera Valdes | 781-839-0628 | Blinddelights@gmail.com | blinddelights.shop | Blind Delights is dedicated to make life more delightful with all natural skin care products. Every product is made with care and skin needs in mind. That’s why every single one of our products can be customized to meet the clients needs and preferences for a delightful pamper experience that is chemical free. BlindDelights a Center around making your self-care and wellness affordable, natural and sustainable. We use eco-friendly materials for many of our products and care very much about the environment. Our products include: massage face, and body oils, face cleansers, Aftershave, lotion bars, soap bars, face and body scrubs, bath bombs, and chapsticks. | |
| Blind Girl Designs | Tricia Waechter | 8624481011 | tricia@blindgirldesigns.com | www.blindgirldesigns.com | BLIND GIRL DESIGNS creates a peril from a visually impaired woman with quirky styles for everyone! We specialize in hoodies and T-shirts with blind canes as part of the art on the t shirt print. sizes small through 5 XL. | |
| Blind Institute of Technology | Mike Hess | 3039956453 | mike@blindit.org | www.BlindInstituteOfTechnology.org | BIT supports professionals with disabilities globally who are looking to secure and retain meaningful employment as active and valued members of a team through professional staffing, recruiting, training and development. | |
| Blind Parents Group with the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania | Stacie Leap | 215-776-6741 | stacie.leap@gmail.com | National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, Live the Life you Want | We hold a monthly peer support group for blind parents, grandparents, and supporters virtually through Zoom. We meet the third Saturday of the month except for July and November. | |
| Byte Size Training Technology | Isaac Hebert | 2546778037 | isaac.hebert@bytesizetrainingtech.com | Byte Size Training Technology | The mission of Byte Size Training Tech is to provide assistive technology training services to empower individuals with disabilities to pursue their educational and career goals with confidence. | |
| Career Launch at Perkins School for the Blind | Marisol Carmona | N/A | careerlaunch@perkins.org | Job Training and Career Services for Blind Adults | We offer virtual career services for blind and visually impaired job seekers, ages 18+, who are looking for support in their professional endeavors. Additionally, we can work with employers who are interested in including disability as part of their diversity initiatives. | |
| Clear Vision Coaching | N/A | N/A | info@CVCoaching.net | www.CVCoaching.net | Empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives through personal, professional and motivation coaching. Helping to develop an efficient action plan to reach your full potential to achieve success in your personal and professional life! Book a complimentary coaching session to find out more! https://calendly.com/cvcorganizations/clearvision-coaching | |
| Clusiv | N/A | N/A | enroll@clusiv.io | Home 2023 Clusive | Clusiv is an eLearning platform built for the blind or visually impaired to learn technology, occupational and career skills training to help remove barriers to the modern workforce by equipping you with the skills you need for employment. Courses are self paced and are a fully accessible experience. To learn more about our course offerings and enrolling through vocational rehabilitation, click the link and fill out the form at www.clusiv.io. | |
| Computers for the Blind | N/A | 214-340-6328 | info@computersfortheblind.org | www.Computersfortheblind.org | Computers for the Blind (CFTB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to providing computers to persons who are blind or visually impaired. It is our hope that each person who is visually impaired may experience the information age in a positive and productive manner. We believe technology opens new worlds and creates opportunities for greater personal freedom. | |
| CN Vision Image Consulting, LLC | Chelsea C. Nguyen | 17135537041 | chelseawin@cnvisionimage.com | CNVisionImage.com | My company, CN Vision Image Consulting provides specialized non-visual and adaptive professional image consulting services and trainings to men, women and children of all abilities. The trainings we offer empower our clients with the soft skills and life skills to make great first impressions, gain more self confidence, and become more independent. Ultimately, our company thrives to empower our clients with the tools, techniques and knowledge to successfully achieve their personal life goals as well as their professional career goals. | |
| Essentially Braille | Tonya J Drew | 5027065007 | essentiallybraille@gmail.com | www.essentiallybraille.com | We are a transcription (braille) company that is dedicated to passing on the best prices possible for custom braille work. We also have a ministry, providing books of the Bible free of charge. | |
| Eyes Like Mine Inc | N/A | 9733273035 | events@eyeslikemine.org | www.eyeslikemine.org | Our mission is to share awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with vision loss through community service initiatives, comprehensive empowerment workshops, and innovative social change awareness events. Home of the Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant, and Dancing With The Blind. | |
| Freedom Scientific | N/A | (800) 444-4443 | training@vispero.com | www.Freedomscientific.com/training | Access free Trainings and tutorials to learn how to use various Freedom Scientific products, such as Jaws, Zoomtext, Fusion and braille hardware, with your computer. | |
| Hadley | N/A | 800-323-4238 | info@Hadley.edu | www.Hadley.edu | The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive - at home, at work, and in their communities. | |
| Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC | Alice Crespo | 9176968115 | hhdfornyc@gmail.com | hhdnyc.org | We are Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC. We have been around for 40 years and we provide the following services: readers for the blind, help with shopping and running errands, social events, and be a friend day. The membership to join is $20 and anyone living in one of the five boroughs of NYC who is blind or visually impaired is welcome to join. We provide guides on all of our trips. | |
| Houston Area Visually Impaired Network – HAVIN | Ron Graham | 713-825-9108 | havin.tx@gmail.com | www.havintx.org | A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of various volunteer groups from across Houston that serve the information, resource, and support needs of the visually impaired. Our vision is to educate, provide peer support and unify the visually impaired community in the Greater Houston area. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also grown to share what we do with a larger, virtual audience, as well, allowing those who would not ordinarily be able to join us do so and allowing for interstate and international participation. | |
| Houston Council of the Blind (HCB) | Gayle Metoyer | 713-520-9237 | info@acbt-houston.net | www.acbt-houston.net | Advocacy and support organization | |
| iBUG Today | Michael McCulloch | 832-453-7139 | ibugtoday@gmail.com | www.ibugtoday.org | Promotes the individual independence, social integration, and educational development of the blind and visually impaired community through accessible technology training. | |
| I Can Connect | N/A | N/A | N/A | www.icanconnect.org | This program provides communications technology free of charge to low-income people of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss. | |
| Insightful Publications | Christine Chaikin | 808 747 1006 | insightfulpub@gmail.com | Insightful Publications Welcome Page | Publisher of resource handbooks for the blind and visually impaired communities. | |
| Ladybuggz essential products | Tyrone Perkins | 4693869968 | Ladybuggzessentialproducts@gmail.com | Ladybuggzessentialproducts.com | Our mission is to inspire the world to become beautiful beyond beautiful | |
| Living Beyond Limits | N/A | 9728040678 | info@livingbeyondlimitsus.org | LivingBeyondLimits.org | Living Beyond Limits offers vital integrated mentoring programs for the blind and vision-impaired community. We facilitate positive interactions, through education, training, empowerment resources and social networking, which are crucial to living a rewarding life. | |
| LVB Podcast show | Alvaro Gutierrez | 57/3012952272 | N/A | lvb podcast show | Since 2012 this Podcast in English features interviews with people and tech and other blindness related organizations. LVB Podcast show can be found on Apple podcasts, Spotify and Anchor. | |
| MLV Foundation | Debbie Sanders | 4059390573 | office@mlvfoundation.org | www.mlvfoundation.org | Our mission is to connect the blind and visually impaired by enhancing lives, encouraging independence, and expanding awareness. | |
| Nelly’s Costless Items | Chanel Davis | 3463021755 | Chanelwillis308@gmail.com | Chanel Davis Facebook | I want to make all feel comfortable and confident in their skin no matter your skin type or gender! Beauty comes in all forms but your skin is the first to be seen! Affordable and high-quality low price handmade natural products! Vision means nothing when you’re inspired! $5 and 6 items as of now and growing slowly but surely! | |
| NFB of Kansas, Wichita South Central Chapter | Brandon Keith Murphy | 3144486276 | NFB.org | The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines blind people or their future. Every day we raise the expectations of and for blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. We can live the lives we want; blindness is not what holds us back. | ||
| Nvision | Josuee Palacios | 8662043708 | jpalacios@nvisioncenterspr.com | www.nvisioncenters.com/education/careers-for-visually-impaired/ | NVISION Eye Centers, a community of surgeons, optometrist partners, and employees dedicated to helping people live better by seeing better. In an effort to help support visually impaired & blind individuals, we recently created a guide detailing resources and accommodations that can aid visually impaired people in finding a career. | |
| Nvision Resource Guide | Josuee Palacios | 8662043708 | jpalacios@nvisioncenterspr.com | Internet Navigation for Individuals with Low Vision or Blindness | Educational guide to navigating the internet for individuals with low vision or blindness. This free resource covers the built-in tools that make sites more accessible for people with vision loss. | |
| OrCam Technologies | Claudia Cerna | 2819740918 | claudia.cerna@orcam.com | www.orCam.com | OrCam’s mission is to harness the power of artificial vision by incorporating pioneering technology into a wearable platform which improves the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and have reading difficulties. | |
| Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students (PABS) | Stacie Leap | 215-776-6741 | stacie.leap@gmail.com | National Federation for the Blind of Pensylvania, Live The Life You Want | We welcome all blind students from all grade levels (Elementary, middle, high school, college, and post-graduates) to come to our virtual meeting via Zoom. We meet every second Saturdy of the month at 7:30PM ET. Contact Vice President Stacie Leap for more information. | |
| Pennsylvania Organization of Parents of Blind Children (PAOPBC) | Emily Gindlesperger | N/A | vp2@nfbp.org | vp2@nfbp.org | National Federation for the Blind of Pensylvania, Live The Life You Want | We welcome parents of blind children and their family members as well as supporters to come to our virtual Zoom meeting. We hold our meetings the first Tuesday of the month from 1pm to 2pm. |
| Penny Forward | Chris Peterson | 1-888-332-5558 | pennyforward@pennyforward.com | www.pennyforward.com | Penny Forward is a non-profit organization offering accessible financial wellness education and counseling programs for people who are blind or disabled. Our self-paced online courses will provide you with tools and techniques you can use to navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance. In addition, you will also have access to exclusive member-only Zoom chats where you can ask questions and practice your growing money management skills with other members and our instructors. You can also schedule one to one sessions for more personalized help. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also get early access to all Penny Forward podcast episodes, A members only newsletter, and bonus content created exclusively for our members. All of this costs just $9 a month or $99 a year. | |
| The Lighthouse of Houston | Donald Hayes | 7132848441 | dhayes@houstonlighthouse.org | www.houstonlighthouse.org | The Lighthouse of Houston is a Community for the Visually Impaired. Our programs and services assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired of all stages and all ages, from infants to older adults. The wide variety of programs and services help individuals gain independence, develop individual strengths, and provide emotional, social and educational support. | |
| Tia cosmetics by Mary kay | Tia williams | 7865295334 | cultarama.ja@gmail.com | Www.Marykay.com/destinywinner | The most important mile in our business walk is the ‘extra mile,’ the one called service. How I bring beauty to you As my customer, you can create your ideal beauty experience. I offer personalized service that fits you. Just tell me if you’d like a one-on-one consultation, a party with friends, a virtual party, makeup tips, skin care advice or free samples. You can always try before you buy. If you prefer to shop online only or order by e-mail or phone, the choice is yours. I’d love to help you with any or all of your beauty needs. Let’s talk! | |
| Visually Impaired Advocates – VIA | Talana Townsend | 832-867-0140 | VIAdvocates@gmail.com | www.VIAdvocates.org | Our mission is to enhance The quality of life for the visually impaired Community of Greater Houston Through community awareness, education, and inclusion. | |
| Visually impaired Blind Society | Saving Ven | 770-609-7439 | Info@vibsociety.org | VIBSociety.org | Empowering the visually impaired and blind community to become a more productive and independent part of society. We are a social organization, providing activities and events, financial and educational resources and helping to provide adaptive equipment when necessary. We break the social barriers and bridge the gap between sided and non-sided communities. Come share our vision. | |
| Visually Impaired Equality Of Life {VIEOL} | Monique Mason | 281-891-3602 | vieol.htx@gmail.com | N/A | VIEOL Visually Impaired Equality Of Life Is A Community Outreach Organization; Whose Mission Is To Focus On The Blind And Low Vision Visually Impaired Community. With The Ability To Obtain Equal Opportunities, To Experience And Enjoy Life Independently. The Ability To Obtain Accessibility, To Achieve And Accomplish Everyday Goals. Serving The Greater Houston And Surrounding Areas. Blindness Skills Offered: ~ • Introduction To Blindness Cooking ~ • Fundamentals Of Basic Keyboarding ~ • Fundamentals Of Basic Braille ~ • Introduction To Simple Gardening For Further Details Contact: Monique Mason 281-891-3602 vieol.htx@gmail.com |