This page provides an abundance of information and resources available to those individuals that are blind or have low vision. You will find information regarding government agencies, assistive technology vendors, support groups and other organizations.

Website Links and/or Contact Information to Assistive Technology Vendors
Freedom Scientific
MaxiAIDS
American Printing House
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
ZoomText (Ai Squared)
Mons International
6595 Roswell Road #224
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
770-551-8455
1-800-541-7903
Serves Metropolitan Atlanta Area
Adaptive Technology Help Desk
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Help Desk: 888-825-0080 (voice/Relay)
Available to anyone who is blind or visually impaired needing assistance with technology questions or problems Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

Government Agencies

disabilityinfo.gov
DisabilityInfo.gov is the federal government's one-stop Web site for people with disabilities, their families, employers, veterans and service members, workforce professionals and many others. . . . Visit any of the nine subject areas at the top of this page to find disability-related resources, and then click on the State and Local Resources map to locate programs and information in your state.

Georgia Department of Labor - Rehabilitation Services
Iowa Department for the Blind

Other Organizations
American Council of the Blind

American Foundation for the Blind

The Foundation Fighting Blindness

Georgia Radio Reading Service

Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Center for the Visually Impaired
739 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404-875-9011
1-800-558-5451
Serves Northeast and Central Georgia

Blind and Low Vision Services of North Georgia
3830 South Cobb Drive SE
Smyrna, Georgia 30080
770-432-7280
1-800-726-7406
Serves Northwest Georgia

Savannah Association for the Blind
214 Drayton Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
912-236-4473
Serves Southeast Georgia

VISTAS
337 S. Milledge Avenue, Suite 114
Athens, Georgia 30605
706-583-8001
Fax: 706-583-8844
Serves Northeast Georgia

Multiple Choices for Independent Living
850 Gaines School Road
Athens, GA 30605
email: info@multiplechoices.us
Phone: 706-549-1020
Toll-free: 877-549-1020
fax/tyy: 706-549-1060
Toll-free fax/tyy: 866-449-2020

Walton Options
948 Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia 30903-0519
706-724-6262
1-877-821-8400
Serves East Georgia


Sports

United States Blind Golf Association

National Beep Baseball Association

American Blind Skiing Foundation

Transportation Services

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
ATTN: Department/Name
2424 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324-3311
Phone: (404) 848-4800

Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA)
Marquis One Tower
245 Peachtree Center Ave., NE
Suite 900
(Corner of Peachtree Center Ave, NE and Harris Street)
Atlanta, GA 30303-1223
Phone: (404) 463-3000

Atlanta Regional Transportaion Page

Vision Impaired Personal Services, Inc. (VIPS)
P.O. Box 714
Stockridge, GA 30281
Email for VIPS: hpbbows@bellsouth.net
Ask for Helen or Rebecca Bartels
Phone: 770-474-3474
Flyer with more Details about VIPS

Employment Opportunity for the Blind

Greetings All:

Important information on employment for the Blind program.

Subject: The Blind Renting Cars

Hello,

My name is Steve Cook and I work for the SC Commission for the Blind. I would like to let you know about a wonderful opportunity for the blind. We have an Alamo and National car rental training program here in South Carolina. Alamo and National car rental has a call center located in South Carolina and in Utah. Read the below information and please feel free to distribute it to the blind community in your area. After you have read over this information, get back in touch with me if you have any questions.

A NEW EMPLOYMENT FRONTIER IN EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND

A REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT

Technological advances and a changing economy forced the South Carolina Commission for the Blind to be creative and develop a different approach to training and placement for our blind consumers. We had successfully placed a number of blind people in Tele-communications with the Vanguard Rental Corporation, the owners of Alamo and National Car Rentals. These placements were prefaced with individual training and a lot of experimenting with assistive technology. How could we develop a training program in Tele-communications that trained groups of prospective employees, and where could we go to get the technical assistance to adapt tele-communications software to the assistive technology essential for our blind consumers? We concluded it could happen with a partnership with private industry.

THE PARTNERSHIP

Vanguard Rental Corporation was a willing partner because of their positive experiences with their blind employees. They brought to the partnership technical assistance, equipment, software and financial participation. With a contractual relationship, the private sector partner not only provides placement to everyone trained on their programs: but also allows training for other employers with adapted software. In addition to training for Vanguard Rental Corporation, training and placement programs are established with Drivers' Choice Insurance Company and Wells Fargo Mortgage Company.

PREPARING FOR TRAINING

The preparation for training begins with the VR Counselor pre-screening consumers who are potential trainees. Referrals to the program are then screened for communications skills and knowledge and use of assistive technology. Some employers prefer to interview candidates for training while other employers rely on the selections made by agency staff.

TRAINING

In a fast paced environment, the twelve weeks training program is presented in three phases-classroom training with the manuals of the company for which the trainee will be working, hands-on training with live computers and working with live calls in an intense work setting. Training is eight hours each day, Monday through Friday: and appropriate work habits such as limited lunch hour and limited break time is enforced. Trainees are evaluated throughout the twelve weeks, and remedial intervention is offered when trainees demonstrate skills deficits that can be addressed.

ARRANGEMENTS

For South Carolina residents, we provide rooms and meals at the Rehabilitation Center on campus. For out of state trainees, we provide assistance in locating off-campus housing, and meals are provided through the Rehabilitation Center. Transportation is provided to and from training for out of state trainees as well as transportation to and from the airport. Orientation and mobility are also available to all trainees.

EMPLOYMENT! EMPLOYMENT! EMPLOYMENT!

Employers commit to placement before trainees are accepted into the program. If a trainee does not show potential for successful completion, the training is terminated. Entry level salaries range from $24,000 to $26,000 annually, and agency staff assists with relocation, orientation and mobility and technical assistance at time of entry into employment.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For additional information, contact Ed. Bible at (803) 898-8786.

SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

Dr. Nell C. Carney, Commissioner

NEW HORIZONS IN TRAINING AND COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

Dr. Nell C. Carney, Commissioner South Carolina Commission for the Blind

In 1999, the South Carolina General Assembly appropriated $200,000 to the Commission for the Blind to expand an industrial training program for blind and severely visually impaired consumers of working age who had expressed an interest in working. When the blueprints for the expansion arrived a year later complete with conveyer belts and work areas, we were confronted with making a decision about the kind of industries we should recruit as our partners in the expansion project.

A quick analysis of the labor market in South Carolina indicated that the greatest numbers of jobs now and for the foreseeable future were in the area of Tele-communications-customer service representatives, rental and reservation specialists and sales. With this information, the blueprints were sent back to the drawing board with instructions to design a Tele-communications center with state-of-the-art computers, telephone equipment and assistive technology for use by blind and severely visually impaired trainees.

When the revised blueprints arrived, it was obvious that we would need technical assistance and financial support from a private sector partner to make a success of the training program. We turned to Vanguard Rental Corporation who had hired a number of our job ready clients. Because they were familiar with our programs and had found the consumers we had trained to be excellent employees, Vanguard Rental Corporation eagerly joined as our partners providing both financial support and technical assistance.

After one and one half years of hard, and sometimes frustrating, work, the Tele-communications Training Center was opened on our campus in Columbia, SC on September 18, 2001. The center has the capacity to accommodate 30 trainees. The overall training period is twelve weeks: six weeks in the training room and six weeks taking live calls in an intense work environment.

Vanguard Rental Corporation has already committed to hiring all of the trainees who complete the training in the first year of the program. Other private organizations where our consumers are employed have contacted the Commission to negotiate training programs. In addition, we have had inquiries from other state rehabilitation programs about placing consumers in the training program.

The success of the development of the training center is a sterling example of the progress that can be made when private industry and state government programs form a partnership in the interest of employment of individuals with disabilities and the social and economic good of the community. The Training center is dedicated to the continuation of efforts between private industry and public programs that will create competitive employment opportunities for present and future generations of blind and visually impaired South Carolinians and have a positive economic and social impact on the community. On Tuesday, September 18th, 2001 at 10:30 AM, the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and Vanguard Rental Corporation held opening and dedication ceremonies for a Telecommunications training center for the blind and severely visually impaired individuals at the Ellen Beach Mack Rehabilitation Center. In attendance, we had our Board of Commissioners, a member of the legislature, Voc Rehab, CAP, a few members of the Projects with Industries Advisory Board along with a number of individuals from Vanguard Rental Corporation.

This revolutionary concept will unite private industry and state government to provide training and job placement services for our consumers. The outstanding performance of the client's previously placed with Vanguard Rental Corporation led to the initial contacts between Vanguard and our Employment and Training division, which culminated in the partnership that makes this center possible. We were able to secure approval to make changes to a planned expansion of the Projects with Industries Program in the old pool area with a $200,000 appropriation from the General Assembly in 1999. These changes are a reflection of the ever-changing job market as well as the challenges our clients faced during training due to the need to learn how the assistive technology and the company's software work together in a fast paced classroom environment. We have many call centers located across our state that utilize technology which lends itself well to adaptations for use by our consumers. These types of positions provide excellent opportunities for further advancement.

Following pre-screening by the VR Counselors, Communications, and Technical Services, consumers are recommended to the program. The clients accepted into the call center will receive training in customer service skills along with the software applications provided by our partner companies taught from the perspective of the adaptive technology user. Training will progress through three phases with a potential to serve up to thirty consumers at a time. Following successful completion of the program, the consumer will be employed by a partnering company.

After successful placement of our consumers, we can all share in the development of a new employment frontier made possible by a collaborative effort between private enterprise and state government. Isn't it exciting to see the virtually limitless employment opportunities we can create by working as a team! Reprinted with the permission of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina from its August, 2001 edition of the Palmetto Blind.

Training Center Aids Visually Impaired

(Editor's Note: The following appeared in the Wednesday, September 19, 2001 edition of The State Newspaper. Congratulations to the Commission for the Blind for the establishment of this excellent Training Program.)

An old indoor swimming pool at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind has been turned into a training facility that will help the visually impaired become part of the labor force. The Telecommunications Training Center, unveiled Tuesday morning, uses computers and a talking computer program that allows blind people to work in call centers. The new Center will play a vital role in the organization's mission to train people to be competitive in the marketplace, said Dr. Nelle Carney, Commissioner of the Commission. It is also important to partner with industry to provide practical skills for blind people, Dr. Carney said. The Training Center is a public-private partnership. Vanguard Rental Corp., owner of Alamo and National Car Rental Companies helped provide equipment. Clients of the Commission will learn on computers answering real customer service and reservation calls from Vanguard, Park Seed in Greenwood and other companies. With the changing economy, the decision was made to focus less on manufacturing and more toward call center, said Ed Bible, Director of Employment and Training for the Commission. In the past, when blind people were trained for work, the expectations were low and the training was not the standard used in the workplace, Bible said. The call center was developed using Vanguard Rental Corp's guidelines, Bible said. The people training in this facility will have the computer skills they need before applying for the job, said Mike Ralston, Director of Training for Vanguard Rental Corp. Vanguard had already employed seven visually impaired people at two of its call centers, but the company trained the employees themselves, Ralston said. Employees from the Commission's Training Center could help fill the 100 or more employees needed during peak season at Park Seed in Greenwood, said Dawn Gilbert, Human Resources Manager. Trainees at the Telecommunications Center will use a program called JAWS - Job Access with Speech - to hear what is on the computer screen, said David Bundy, technical coordinator and trainer who demonstrated the technology. Specially designed headsets will allow blind people to hear a customer calling in one ear and the actions of the computer in the other ear.

For more information on our Alamo/National car rental training program, contact me at the below information. Steve Cook, Telecommunications Instructor/Trainer SC Commission for the Blind Phone: (803) 898-8788 Fax: (803) 898-8852 E-Mail: stcook@sccb.sc.gov

Research Study Opportunity

We are looking for individuals with no light perception. Especially those who lost all light perception before age 14. Participants cannot have injury to their hands. Compensation for participating is $10 per hour including transportation time. We can provide transportation if needed. Anyone interested should contact Christopher Makinson at cmakins@emory.edu or call at (336)202-9612.

Thanks again for your help and if there are any other studies being conducted which you can participate in I will let you know.

Chris Makinson

GeorgiaCares

Phone: 1-800-669-8387

- GeorgiaCares provides community education about Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and Prescription Assistance Programs

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Phone: 1-888-477-2669 or 1-800-435-9042 -The Partnership for

Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them.

Medicare Rights:
Phone: 202-544-5561
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care.

Call to Action:
Call your representatives to ask them to support these important improvements to Medicare and the provision of health care coverage to uninsured children. It's the "Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act," House Resolution 3162, and it should be enacted into law. Call the toll-free congressional switchboard at 800-828-0498 and ask to speak to your representatives.

Laurie Graffo
Georgia Cares
Atlanta Regional Commission
40 Courtland Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel. 404-463-3523
FAX 404-463-3264
lgraffo@atlantaregional.com Visit ARC's web site at: atlantaregional.com

Kristie Sharp
Area Agency on Aging
Atlanta Regional Commission
40 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel. 404-463-0437
Fax 404-463-3264
ksharp@atlantaregional.com

Calhoun Support Group

Contact: Monty Smith
706.346.5452
The Calhoun Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Coosa Valley Technical College-Calhoun Site.