Helpful Resources and Links for the Blind in Utah

This is a list of numbers people with disabilities can call to get help with phone issues. It includes most of the major companies. Those who answer these numbers are usually more knowledgeable than the average tech support person. With a welcomed emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, numerous companies now offer specialized support services for customers with vision loss. They are there to help you get the most out of their products and to ensure your devices are set right to accommodate your needs. This is an effort we greatly appreciate and are delighted to spread the word.

Amazon's Accessibility Customer Service

Call to speak with an accessibility specialist who can help you buy books and other products, or get you directly to tech support for Amazon devices and services including Alexa, Kindle & Fire Tablet. Hands raised triumphantly for accessible and inclusive smartphones.

Audible Support:

Apple Accessibility Support Line

For users of Apple's iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, or Mac –this is a gift. It is a special support line reserved for customers with vision, hearing, motor, and learning impairments. Senior AppleCare specialists are available 24/7 to help you get your Accessibility Settings right, answer your questions, and resolve your technical issues. They'll even teach you a thing or two.

AT&T

National Center for Citizens with Disabilities (NCCD)

This is where wireless customers with vision loss get answers to questions about accessibility features and services available from AT&T.

Comcast Accessibility

Direct line to a dedicated team, specially trained to support customers who rely on accessibility services including voice guidance and video description.

Google

To request a call back, from a Google Disability support specialist, complete this online form. Call an accessibility specialist at Google through the BeMyEyes app on a smartphone or tablet. Click the "Specialized Help" button on the app's home page, select Google in the Technical tab.

Google Technical Support: 855-971-9121 may (or may not) be able to help with accessibility questions, depends on the specialist you connect with.

HP Accessibility Support

Technical support for customers with accessibility needs, pertaining to HP (Hewlett Packard) products, available from 6am to 9pm Mountain Time.

LinkedIn Disability Answer Desk

Call on Be My Eyes app

Contact an accessibility specialist at the LinkedIn Disability Answer Desk through the Be My Eyes app, on a smartphone or tablet; click the Specialized Help button on the apps home page, then select Technical to get to LinkedIn.

Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

800-936-5900 or the Be My Eyes app. The features you need to make your PC "vision friendly" are built right into Windows –unfortunately, many people don't know that. Microsoft recognized this as a significant problem and put in place a support team specialized in accessibility. So dial them up and get your computer set up to work for you (not against you). And, to make it even easier on yourself -allow them remote access to your PC and they can make the adjustments.

Peloton

The Accessibility Team at Peloton will answer your questions and give you a call, if you request it by email to: accessibility@onepeloton.com.

T-Mobile Accessibility

T-Mobile has an Accessibility Support web page. It says, "T-Mobile will provide accessible support for wireless network service and billing inquiries. Please contact our Accessibility Customer Care at 833-428-1785 if you have any questions or need special assistance. For additional support, please contact Customer Care."

Spectrum Accessibility Support

Call this support line to learn about and take advantage of Spectrum cable accessibility accommodations.

Spotify

Call on Be My Eyes app
Get help from your smartphone or tablet with any questions you may have about Spotify, the world's largest music streaming service. Speak to a trained customer service specialist on BME; go to Specialized Help, Technical, then Spotify.

Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities

Verizon Wireless National Accessibility Center

It can sometimes be challenging to get information about accessibility features that make your mobile phone, or tablet, work for you. Questions about enlarging text, using voice commands effectively, or using the screen reader, often remain unanswered when posed to your store representative. That should be the case no more -now there is a customer service and technical support center dedicated to helping people maximize the accessibility features built into all of Verizon's mobile devices. Let them help you get your device set just right for you, from 8am - 9pm EST, Monday - Friday.

vote.org

Call on Be My Eyes app
Get help, on a smartphone or tablet, registering to vote, checking your registration status, and requesting a mail-in ballot. On BME, go to Specialized Help on the home page, then Civic Engagement, then select vote.org.

Helpful Resources to Download

Resources to help people with disabilities and to pay rent and utilities

Download Vaccine FACT SHEET PDF

Download Utah Covid-19 Resource PDF

Download UATP Tremor Device Flyer PDF

Download Resources for Utah Residents PDF

Download Rental Assistance Flyer PDF

The Perkins Library Utilizing Amazon Marketplace

Digital cartridges from the Perkins Library utilizing Amazon Marketplace. Selling a few other items to augment the audio reading experience, and links to the Amazon product page. If you have any issues with the Amazon web pages, please call the Perkins Library at 617-972-7240 or email library@perkins.org.

The National Aging And Disability Transportation Center

News and new resources, a very informative link to resources for Seniors and the Disabled Community.

You can call them at: (866) 983-3222.

The American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind website has links to services and activities for those with vision loss. Phone 202-467-5081 or visit: http://www.acb.org

American Foundation for the Blind

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has a Vision Aware site for Seniors and various other links for persons with vision loss and their families. They also have the AFB Center on Vision Loss where you can learn about independent living from Esther's Place, an apartment designed especially for persons living with vision loss. Phone 214-352-7222 or visit: http://www.visionaware.org/info/for-seniors/1

American Printing House for the Blind

The world's largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are visually impaired.

Provides textbooks and educational materials for legally blind students. Call toll free at: 1-800-223-1839.

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind

Promotes all phases of education and employment for all ages who are blind and visually impaired.

Support for professionals who provide education and rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments.
Call at: 703 671 4500.

Resume' Builder

Our team at Resume' Builder are committed to creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities. We recognize the obstacles they face when pursuing their career goals; a reality that's reflected in the fact that only 17.9% of people with a disability are employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To help bridge this gap, we have developed a comprehensive, step-by-step guide specifically designed for people with disabilities. Our guide empowers them to create an impressive resume that showcases their unique skills and value. Additionally, we've included vital information on their legal rights, workplace discrimination, and harassment to ensure they have the tools they need to navigate the job market confidently.

You can explore our guide here: https://www.resumebuilder.com/comprehensive-resume-and-career-guide-for-people-with-disabilities/

Financial Aid and College Scholarship Information for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Thanks to technological and societal advancements like audiobooks, widespread braille adaptation, and tactile campus navigation tools, life as a blind or visually impaired college student is becoming less difficult. However, financing a post-secondary education can still be a struggle for many. Colleges and universities can be extraordinarily expensive, and affording the cost on your own often seems impossible. Fortunately, there are many scholarship and financial aid programs available for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Click on this link to see a list of available scholarships for the Blind/VIP:

https://www.madisontrust.com/client-resources/articles/financial-aid-and-college-scholarship-information-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/

Intelligent College Planning Guide For Students With Learning Disabilities

In this extensive planning guide, we give you the tools you need to be successful in understanding the college environment for students with learning disabilities as well as your rights and potential accommodations.

https://www.intelligent.com/college-planning-guide-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/

Bookshare

Bookshare is an Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities. You can download free books, Braille books, and tools for people who are blind or visually impaired.

This service is only free to students, otherwise it's $50 per year.

The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI)

Each month, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision, International (CCLVI) provides a forum addressing topics of concerns to people with low vision titled "Let's Talk Low Vision". We are fortunate to have Dr. Bill Takeshita as the moderator and master of ceremonies for these presentations. The presentations occur the third Tuesday of each month and start at 5:30pm (Pacific), 8:30pm (Eastern). To be part of the conversation, please call: (712) 432-3447 enter code: 145330

The Blind Independence Diabetes Group (BID)

The Blind Independence Diabetes Group, or BID Group, is a one-stop source for people living with diabetes and blindness to obtain the best accessible products, accessible education/training, and helpful peer support to enable BID Group members to live healthy and independent lives yet never feel alone. Call: 1-866-351-6809.

The Audio Description Project

An initiative of the American Council of the Blind. This is a great resource for audio descriptive programs provided by Amazon.

Utah Assistive Technology Foundation

The Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF) is a private, non-profit organization under UATP organized in 1991 under the laws of the state of Utah. Over the years UATF has been able to help hundreds of Utahns with disabilities of all ages obtain loans and grants to purchase the assistive technology that allows them to be independent, productive and successful at home, at school, at work and in the community.

Contact the UATF: 1-800-524-5152.

Utah State University Center for Disabilities and Access

This is a great resource for University student who are disabled. There are a lot of useful resources. Contact: 801-581-5020.

Braille Bibles International

Braille Bibles International offers Large Print and Audio Bibles at a low price. Phone 800-522-4253
or visit: http://www.braillebibles.org

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE DOG WEEK – EXPERT INTERVIEW & ADVOCACY GUIDE

This year's International Assistance Dog Week takes place August 7-13, 2022. It’s an opportunity to recognize the incredible work of assistance dogs and educate the public about how they help individuals mitigate disability-related limitations. With that in mind, the team at VetTechColleges.com is highlighting a great Guide we published titled International Assistance Dog Week-Expert Interviews & Advocacy Guide. We interviewed Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
We have also published a number of comprehensive guides and interviews to to help all students in their journey to gaining a degree.

Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals With Blind Patients

The Information Access Team at The Pennsylvania Council of the Blind has developed a comprehensive best-practices document for healthcare professionals who have patients that are blind or visually impaired. This is a guideline for Blind patients and professional who have blind or Visually Impaired patients.

Download PDF

Addiction Recovery for Visually Impaired

Addiction Treatment and Rehab For Deaf And Blind Individuals: This website is a wealth of unique and specific guides filled with informative facts and guidance regarding vision and/or hearing loss and addiction treatment that is very useful. Call: (844) 616-3400.

Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers for the Disabled

A website with information about Drug Rehab Centers for the Disabled and information about addiction and why the Disabled community is at a higher risk of becoming an addict. Call: (888) 605-7779.

My Blind Spot

My Blind Spot's mission is to advance equal access and promote understanding, respect, and opportunity for people who are blind, visually impaired and print disabled.

My Blind Spot believes that all individuals are entitled to acceptance, encouragement, and respect, as well as freedom from discrimination, labeling, and stereotyping, regardless of their challenges in life.

We believe that every person, at every age and level of ability, has the potential for growth. Call: (212) 363-0330.

Do It Blind

Our goal is to provide workable solutions to the challenges facing blind and visually impaired customers with the software the rest of the world is using.

We are the leaders in JAWS script development and Blind Accessibility. Our goal is to provide workable JAWS scripting solutions for even the toughest programs. With our team of JAWS script developers, we can find a fitting solution for you or your company.

IBVI -Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired

On a mission. Driven by purpose.
At Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IBVI), our employees inspire us with their commitment to excellence. They make us who we are. And they make it possible for us to do what we do: provide the best, most cost-effective industrial supplies—made with a true purpose.
Presnting jobs and job satistics for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This is a good resource for the Blind in Utah seeking employment and looking for statistics for job employment of the Blind/VIP.

800.642.8778

Text2Speech.org

Text2Speech.org is a free online text-to-speech converter. Just enter your text, select one of the voices and download or listen to the resulting mp3 file. This service is free and you are allowed to use the speech files for any purpose, including commercial uses.

Braille Institute of America

Braille Institute of America offers the Sound Solutions Series which promotes independence while educating and empowering the entire family through free audio dramatizations. Phone 800-272-4553
or visit: http://www.brailleinstitute.org

Ears for Eyes

Ears for Eyes - Enrichment Audio Resource Services provides free audio lessons promoting independent living.
Phone 800-843-6816 or visit: http://www.earsforeyes.info/index.php/index.html

Internet Accessibility Guide

This is a current initiative about improving web accessibility for individals with low vision. This website helps Visually Impaired by creating key information for website users. This page is a comprehensive summary of practical accessibility tips for vision-impaired users –covering things like using text-to-speech, changing text size and more.

Visit the web page here: https://www.nvisioncenters.com/internet-accessibility-guide/

Vision Loss Resources

Whether you were born with an eye disease or blindness or are new to vision loss, this site is for you. It's also for friends and loved ones and for professionals.

Vision Loss And Personal Recovery

If you have vision loss or became blind, this website has a lot of useful resources. It is divided up into sections to help guide you with, "how to" links, to deal with certain issues after sight loss.

The Blind Life

The Blind Life is a representation of what is going on in my life and what I enjoy, all from the Visually Impaired perspective. I enjoy sharing tips and tricks of navigating life with Low Vision, but I absolutely love showing all the new assistive technology that can help make our lives awesome!

SeeingBlind

Here you will find all the work I do to help educate, raise awareness, promote positive change, and share tips and tricks to live a happy and healthy disabled life. As a blind mom, it is my goal to help serve, share content, and contribute in a positive way in hopes that it will make a difference in someone’s life.

Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired

This institute promotes independent living through lifelong distance education programs at no cost to persons who are blind, their families or their blindness service providers. Phone: 1-800-323-4238 TTY 847-441-8111 or visit: http://www.hadley.edu

Heritage for the Blind

Heritage for the Blind's mission is multi-faceted. It includes the preservation of vision, through the promotion of eye health awareness with public service announcements, media campaigns and materials for the visually impaired, as well as improving the health and economic security of individuals in need. Phone: 1 (800) 236-6283

Henshaws -Helping the Blind

Henshaws is a charity that has been helping people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities for almost 180 years. Helping to reduce social isolation and increase independence through empowering disabled people to go beyond expectations and achieve their ambitions.

Elder Care Locator

The Elder Care locator is a free service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. Every state has an Aging Services Division dedicated to providing seniors with home and community-based services, as a resource instead of living in a nursing home. Including home health aides, nursing care, home-delivered meals, help with household chores, transportation to shopping and medical appointments, as well as counseling, advocacy and legal aid. Phone 800-677-1116 or visit: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

Helping Hands 4 the Blind

A non-profit organization whose goal is to promote social, economic and educational opportunities for the blind. This organization can be found at your local church and other key locations. Helping Hands for the Blind is an organization of blind people who want to help other blind people. It is a problem solving organization and it is a guide that blind people can turn to in times of need.

Contact us at: 818-341-8217.

National Aging & Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)

National Aging & Disability Transportation Center can provide information on transportation sources. Phone 866-528-6278 or 866-983-3222 TTY 202-347-7385
e-mail: contact@nadtc.org or visit:http://seniortransportation.net

National Library Service (NLS)

National Library Services and Regional Offices provide a free library service to people who are unable to read regular printed material because of visual impairment (books and magazines in Braille, e-braille, and audio). The materials and free playback equipment needed to read talking books and magazines are sent to borrowers and returned to libraries by postage-free mail. Call: 1-888-657-7323.

Future Aids -The Braille Superstore

Future Aids -The Braille Superstore offers a variety of reasonably priced products, software and Braille Supplies.
Phone 800-987-1231 or visit: http://www.braillebookstore.com

MaxiAids

MaxiAids sells independent living and mobility products for those who are deaf or have low vision. Phone 800-522-6294
or visit: http://www.maxiaids.com

Independent Living Aids

Independent Living Aids sells low vision aids, magnifiers and other independent living products. Phone 800-537-2118
or visit: http://www.independentliving.com

ICanConnect

ICanConnect (National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program) is available for those with significant combined vision and hearing loss meeting Federal income guidelines. They can receive communication technology and training to stay connected with family members and friends at no cost. Phone: 1-800-825-4595 TTY 888-320-2656 or visit: http://www.icanconnect.org

Lions Clubs International

Lions Clubs International has Local Lions Clubs which provide resources and support to benefit individuals with vision loss.
Phone 630-571-5466 or visit: http://www.lionsclubs.org

Mobile Assistive Technologies for People With Low Vision and Blindness

A great article we've put together that focuses on mobile technology and the many tools that are available to the visually impaired so they can still access it. Mobile technology is integrated in nearly everything we do and accessibility to all is something that cannot be ignored. This guide highlights apps and built-in tools available like screen readers, voice-activated commands, color identifiers, and so much more that help people who may have one of the many types of visual impairments to make their daily lives a little easier.

GoGoGrandparent

GoGoGrandparent turns on demand transportation companies like Uber into services that help families take better care of older adults. Available in all 50 states and Canada!

Call (855) 464-6872 and select a service
Press 1 to get picked up at home;
Press 2 to get picked up where we dropped you off
Press 6 to request an operator
Pickups happen within 15 minutes. To schedule in advance, speak to an agent.

Utah State Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI)

The Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI) has developed programs to help meet the needs of Utah citizens who are blind or have significant visual impairments. In addition to providing vocational rehabilitation services, DSBVI offers a multitude of training and adjustment services. Call: (801) 323-4343.

250 North 1950 West, Suite B, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116-7902

Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled

The Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled, the library's automation vendor (Keystone Systems), and other libraries for the blind are cooperating to create a national repository of locally recorded digital books called the Shared Electronic Files (SHELF) project. Readers can download locally recorded and produced digital talking books contributed by participating libraries. Call: 801-715-6789.

The Utah Assistive Technology Program

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) gets assistive technology into the hands of people who need it. Our goal is to help people use technology to be more independent in education, employment, and community settings.

The UATP is a federally funded program serving individuals with disabilities of all ages in Utah and the inter-mountain region. Our job is to provide assistive technology devices and services as well as train university students, parents, children with disabilities and professional service providers about assistive technology. Call: 800-524-5152.

Enhanced Vision

This is a resources webpage about products, services and link listings for the visually impaired.

This is a very helpful site as it contains addresses and phone numbers to vision help centers in Utah. Call: 888-811-3161.

The Moran Eye Center

Our vision at the Moran Eye Center is that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.
Phone (801) 581-2352

Utah Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Utah Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired strives to enhance the lives of blind children, youth and young adults by teaching skills, providing experiences, and developing self-confidence to live fulfilled and productive lives with the greatest degree of independence possible.

U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing Information Line

U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing Information Line provides a free Currency Reader for people with vision loss.
Phone 844 815-9388 or visit: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/

Blinded Veterans Association

Blinded Veterans Association and Regional Chapters give access to national and regional resources and connect with blinded Veterans throughout the United States.
Phone 800-669-7079 or visit: http://www.bva.org

AppleVis

A website for people who are blind or have visual Impairments that are users of Apple's range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and the Apple TV.

AppleVis is a resource containing multiple links and access to useful information concerning the Blind and low vision community who use Apple products.

Microsoft Accessibility Help Desk

If you run into a problem that you cannot figure out, the Microsoft disability answer desk may be able to help you. The Disability Answer Desk agents will provide assistance to customers with disabilities, such as people who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, or may have other impairments.

There is support for customers looking for help with accessibility features such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, or speech recognition commands.

Microsoft Windows Narrator Resourcce Guide/Reference Manual

A complete guide to Narrator.

Narrator is a screen-reading app built into Windows 10. This guide describes how to use Narrator with Windows on desktop PCs so that you can start using apps, browsing the web, and more. It's written for people who use a screen reader regularly.

Computers for the Blind (CFTB)

Computers For The Blind - is a volunteer organization devoted to providing accessible desktop,and laptop computers at very low cost to persons who are blind or visually impaired. Phone 214-340-6328.

New England ADA Regional Center

The NIDILRR-funded New England ADA Regional Center has released two one-minute videos on Aging, Disability, and the ADA. These new public service announcements are aimed at reaching older Americans with disabilities who may not be aware they have rights under the ADA. The videos feature iconic places in Boston and Worcester, MA with good examples of accessibility that support community participation for older Americans and that benefit all potential users. The videos are available on YouTube and downloadable with open captions from Vimeo.

To call New England ADA Regional Center at: 1-800-949-4232.

Scottish Council on Visual Impairment

This is a website committed to promoting equality and opportunity for people affected by serious sight loss.

Vital Tech

Vital Tech is your guide through the world of assistive tech. Our site is managed by blind and partially sighted people, for blind and partially sighted people. Browse our themes for guidance and instructional videos on all things tech.

If you would like more information, please contact us at: (801) 299-0670
or (800) 273-4569
ucb.board@gmail.com