RESOURCES
Resource Categories
- Adaptive Aids and Accessible Technology
- Books and Literacy
- Career Resources
- Community Resources
- Guide Dog Information
- Information, Education, Advocacy
- Transportation
- Veteran’s Resources
Adaptive Aids and Accessible Technology
Maxi Aids
MaxiAids has been an established special-needs provider for over three decades. In that time, we have evolved into the world’s leading provider of adaptive products, products for independent living and products designed to enhance your lifestyle simply by making your every-day tasks easier.
Link: www.maxiaids.com
Books and Literacy
Lee County Talking Books
Provides recorded books and magazine to people who need to hear their reading (a division of the National Library Service).
Link: www.nbp.org
Phone: (239) 433-4780
National Library Service
National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page.
Link: www.loc.gov/nls
Seedlings Braille Books
Seedlings Braille Books for Children is dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high quality, free and low cost braille books for children.
Link: www.seedlings.org
Career Resources
CareerConnect
An employment information service offered by the American Printing House for the Blind for job seekers who are blind or visually impaired. CareerConnect provides employment information, career exploration tools, and job seeking guidance for individuals with vision loss and the professionals who work with them.
Link: APHcareerconnect.org
Community Resources
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
Non-profit organization dedicated to serving people aged 60 years and older as well as adult with disabilities and connecting individuals to resources and assistance to promote living with independence and dignity.
Link: aaaswfl.org
Phone: (239) 652-6900
Center for Independent Living
Offers services to assist individuals with disabilities.
Link: www.cilgulfcoastflorida.org/
Phone: (239) 260-4575
Division of Blind Services (DBS)
Assist blind and visually impaired Floridians achieve their goals and lead productive and independent lives.
Link: Dbs.myflorida.com Phone: (239) 278-7130
Glades County Sheriff’s Department
"Protecting the Gateway to the Glades"
Link: www.gladessheriff.org
Phone: (863) 946-1600
Hendry County Sheriff’s Department
The men and women of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office are committed to excellence and integrity. We strive to reduce crime while providing objective, fair and equal treatment for all. We honor community and professional partnerships.
Link: www.hendrysheriff.org
Phone: (863) 674-4060
LARC, Inc.
Empower individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential.
Link: larcleecounty.org
Phone: (239) 334-6285 x 200
Lee County Sheriff’s Department
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is a multi-faceted law enforcement agency primarily responsible for law enforcement services in unincorporated Lee county, plus the City of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
Link: www.sheriffleefl.org
Phone: (239) 477-1810
Southwest Florida Council of the Blind
SWFCB serves citizens of Lee County who are blind or visually impaired through education, advocacy and mentoring. SWFCB is a chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind and an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
Link: www.swfcb.org
Phone: (239) 314-8768
United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee counties
Volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community
Link: www.unitedwaylee.org
Help Line: Dial 211
Guide Dog Information
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Works with public entities, private businesses and individuals to ensure that guide dog users enjoy the same rights to travel employment and housing and participation in all aspects of life that people without disabilities enjoy.
Link: guidedogusersinc.org/resources
Toll Free: (866) 799-8436
National Association of Guide Dog Users
Provides information about the guide dog lifestyle, training programs, applicable laws and resources.
Link: www.nagdu.org
Phone: (813) 626-2789
Information, Education, Advocacy
American Foundation for the Blind
The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data. Link: www.afb.org/
Phone: (212) 502-7600
American Printing House
Since 1858, The American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.
Link: www.aph.org
Toll Free: (800) 223-1839
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information line
Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Link: ada.gov
Toll Free: (800) 514-0301
Disability Rights Florida
Statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities.
Link: disabilityrightsflorida.org
Toll Free: (800) 342-0823
Florida School for Deaf and Blind
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a state-supported boarding school for deaf and blind children established in 1885, in St. Augustine, Florida.
Link: www.fsdbk12.org
Phone: (904) 827-2200
Foundation Fighting Blindness
Driving the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinal degenerative diseases.
Link: blindness.org
Toll Free: (800) 683-5555
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Hadley offers course free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families, an affordable tuition to blindness professionals.
Link: Hadley.edu
Toll Free: (800) 323-4238
Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities
Assists with informing rights and/or resolving issues with air carriers.
Toll Free: (800) 778-4838
Southwest Florida Council of the Blind
SWFCB serves citizens of Lee County who are blind or visually impaired through education, advocacy and mentoring. SWFCB is a chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind and an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.
Link: www.swfcb.org
Phone: (239) 314-8768
VisionAware
VisionAware helps adults who are losing their sight continue to live full and independent lives by providing timely information, step-by-step daily living techniques, a directory of national and local services, and a supportive online community.
Link: www.visionaware.org
Transportation
Passport
Lee County's paratransit service. Passport is a shared ride, advanced reservation, origin-to-destination service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the regular fixed route public transit service because of their disability.
Link: www.leegov.com/leetran/passport-(ada-service)
Phone: (239) 533-0300
Veteran’s Resources
Lee County VA Healthcare Center Bind Rehabilitation
The Lee County VA Healthcare Center officially opened in December 2012. It replaced the VA Outpatient Clinic previously located in Fort Myers, Florida. VA health care services have been available in Lee County, Florida. since 1979.
Link: www.baypines.va.gov/locations/Lee_County_VA_Healthcare_Center_Cape_Coral_FL.asp
Phone: (239) 652-1800 x 20828
Veteran’s Crisis Line
Connects veterans in crisis (their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veteran’s Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat or text.
Link: www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Toll Free: (800) 273-8255
TTY: (800) 799-4889