Among U.S. adults, the National Eye Institute and the American Foundation for the Blind estimate that 4.5 to 5.5 million people aged 40 and older are blind, have low vision, or experience age-related vision loss

Although estimates of adult blindness and vision impairment may vary, one factor remains consistent: The majority of these individuals do not have regular access to vision rehabilitation services.

Adults who are blind or have low vision may be unaware that such services exist, may be rural-based and not in easy reach of services, or may not reach out for vision rehabilitation services for a variety of reasons: family responsibilities, poor health, limited mobility, lack of transportation, or reluctance to leave home. This growing "hidden majority" attempts to manage on their own, as best they can.

AWARE's Mission

Associates for World Action in Rehabilitation and Education (AWARE) was founded in 1990 and is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit public charity. Our primary mission is to promote self-help vision rehabilitation hints, provide step-by-step adaptive techniques, and disseminate information on services and independent living resources to this “hidden majority” of adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and related professionals.

What Does AWARE Do?

AWARE’s primary focus is VisionAWARE, a “Self-Help for Vision Loss” web site that includes Questions & Answers on a wide range of topics, including eye diseases and disorders, home management, home modification, reading and writing, personal care and grooming, recreational activities, crafts, braille, computers and technology, and helpful services and resources.

VisionAWARE produces self-help publications that provide step-by-step adaptive techniques, sponsors online education, and is committed to increasing the visibility of other organizations and resources that address the unmet needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.

The VisionAWARE Team

Meet the VisionAWARE Team – the experienced vision rehabilitation professionals who bring you the step-by-step adaptive techniques and independent living resources on the VisionAWARE web site. Many of us are blind or have low vision ourselves. Our goal is to provide useful techniques that can help adults cope with vision changes, adapt everyday tasks, keep their jobs, enjoy their hobbies, and retain their independence.

Computer Technology for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Computers and computer technology have had a profound and significant impact on the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Until recently, the only way that people who were blind or had low vision could access printed material and the Internet was by using a sighted reader. Today, using computers equipped with specialized hardware and software that provide speech capability and screen magnification, people who are blind or have low vision can surf the web, communicate via e-mail, read electronic books, and access daily newspapers independently.

Contact AWARE

Office address:

P.O. Box 96
Mohegan Lake, NY 10547
914-528-5120

E-mail:

Anne Yeadon, Executive Director Anne.Yeadon@visionaware.org
Maureen Duffy, Editorial Director Maureen.Duffy@visionaware.org
General Information info@visionaware.org

Donate

Your donation can help us continue to promote self-help vision rehabilitation hints, provide step-by-step adaptive techniques, and disseminate information on services and independent living resources to adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and related professionals.

Link to VisionAWARE

Help spread the word about VisionAWARE and help people with vision loss continue to lead independent lives. Insert the following code in your web site:

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<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.visionaware.org" target="_blank" title="VisionAWARE Self-Help for Vision Loss"><img src="files/awarelogo-sm.jpg" alt="visionaware.org - self-help for vision loss" width="74" height="72" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.visionaware.org" target="_blank" title="VisionAWARE Self Help for Vision Loss">VisionAWARE Self Help for Vision Loss</a> is a web site with a wealth of information designed to enhance quality of life and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.</td>
</tr>
</table>

This will appear as

VisionAWARE Self Help for Vision Loss is a web site with a wealth of information designed to enhance quality of life and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.

RSS FEED

Add our RSS feed of the Are You Aware? newsletter to your RSS news reader or web site by using this link:

http://www.visionaware.org/view/are_you_aware_rss

VisionAWARE is made possible through the generous support of
Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.