Ways to help the visually impaired
Helping the blind is what the The American Foundation for the Blind, headquartered in New York City, is all about. The organization has been around for a In fact it was the place where Helen Keller worked. This organization assist those who are blind with their reading and writing and in general, they make it easier for the blind and low-sighted to live normal lives. Friends and those who are in need can be told of the ways this caring groups stands by ready to assist.
Founded in 1921 in New York's Hartford building, the non-profit organization has since spread out as a voice for the sightless. They keep pace with technology, and their technology ventures are helping many live better and more hopeful lives. Scattered around the country are other locations with specific purposes that concern AFB. From public policy in Washington, DC, the AFB center for vision loss in Dallas, Texas, AFB TECH in Huntington, WV, and offices in Atlanta and San Francisco, they are accessible to those who need their services.
The Public Policy Center in Washington is where they define their public policies and where they generate ideas on how best to serve. It is where legislation assisting the blind is interpreted. Of the many acts of congress that are destined to serve the public, the technology section (108) is the part of the Access to Information act that impacts the blind. Civil rights policy, education, employment, health, are dealt with in this office, are other legislative concerns they interpret and discern.
The AFB center for vision loss in Dallas, although pretty much the same as the other offices, since all share the need to help and assist the vision impaired, is unique, as are the others. Here a fully equipped home for the blind is showcased. Esther's Place is a "1,800 square-foot model home" that is fully outfitted with "adaptations and products" for the blind. Those touring can try out the technological advantages while getting information to make their lives, or lives of some member of their family easier.
AFB TECH in Huntington, WV. is a testing site for the many products for the vision impaired. They work with others to get their inventions, after being reviewed, out to the public. "AFB TECH is the only organization of its kind to offer objective, comprehensive accessibility reviews of products for people who have lost some or all of their vision."
In addition, workers helps companies interpret the 508 section of the Rehabilitation Act making available possible government contracts. Types of evaluations are phones, voting machines, health monitoring systems, computers, printers, and whatever else that is slated for use by the blind in their at home and at work daily experience. This office started out in 2002 with two employees and now has expanded to twenty. They recently moved to bigger quarters and their future looks bright.
In addition, Helen Keller archives are maintained by AFB. Helen Keller, the deaf and blind woman who is known the world over for her remarkable recovery from total darkness by the dedication of her amazing teacher, Ann Sullivan, worked as part of the staff at AFB for over forty years. She died in 1968, but were she alive today, she would still working with them, so Carl Augusto, the president.
