Adaptive Aids & Accessible Technology
MaxiAids is an established special-needs provider of adaptive products, products for independent living and products designed to enhance your lifestyle by making everyday tasks easier.
Books & Literacy
National Braille Press empowers the blind and visually impaired with programs, materials, and technology supporting braille literacy and learning through touch.
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.
The Lee County Talking Books Library (a division of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled or NLS) provides digital recorded books and magazines, postage free, to people who need to “hear” their reading because of a visual disability or a physical disability that makes it difficult to hold a book or turn a page. Phone: (239) 533-4780
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.
Career Resources
CareerConnect is 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.
Community Resources
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people aged 60 years and older, as well as adults with disabilities, and connecting them to resources and assistance that promotes living with independence and dignity. Phone: (239) 652-6900
Division of Blind Services (DBS) assists blind and visually impaired Floridians achieve their goals and lead productive and independent lives.
Local Office Phone: (239) 278-7130
United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades Counties is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Office: (239) 433-2000 United Way Help Line: Dial 211
Center for Independent Living Gulf Coast offers services to assist individuals with disabilities and empowers them to live to their maximum potential.
Phone: (239) 260-4575
LARC, Inc. (Lee Association of Remarkable Citizens) empowers individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. Phone: (239) 334-6285 x200
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. Phone: (239) 314-8768
GUIDE DOG INFORMATION
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
works with public entities, private businesses and individuals to ensure that guide dog users are afforded the same rights to travel, employment, housing and participation in all aspects of life that people without disabilities enjoy.
Toll Free: (866) 799-8436
Southeastern Guide Dogs
transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. They breed, raise, and train elite guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs and provide life-changing services at no cost to recipients.
National Association of Guide Dog Users
provides information about the guide dog lifestyle, training programs, applicable laws and resources.
Phone: (346) 439-7444
Information, Education, and Advocacy
American Foundation for the Blind
Our mission is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. They mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.
Phone: (212) 502-7600
The American Printing House for the Blind
has operated in Louisville, Kentucky since 1958 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.
Toll Free: (800) 223-1839
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information Line
provides information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Toll Free: (800) 514-0301
Disability Rights Florida
is a statewide designated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities.
Toll Free: (800) 342-0823
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.
Phone: (904) 827-2200
Foundation Fighting Blindness
is driving research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinal degenerative diseases.
Toll Free: (800) 683-5555
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
offers courses free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families, and affordable tuition to blindness professionals.
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
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.
Transportation Resources
Passport, Lee County’s paratransit service, 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.
Phone: (239) 533-0300
Veterans Resources
Lee County VA Healthcare Center Blind Rehabilitation
Phone: (239) 652-1800 x20828
Veterans 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.
Toll Free: (800) 273-8255
Dial: 988 and Press 1
Text: 838255
TTY: (800) 799-4889