Resources

American Council of the Blind

The Council strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by: serving as a representative national organization of blind people; elevating the social, economic and cultural levels of blind people; improving educational and rehabilitation facilities and opportunities; cooperating with the public and private institutions and organizations concerned with blind services; encouraging and assisting all blind persons to develop their abilities and conducting a public education program to promote greater understanding of blindness and the capabilities of blind people.

American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.

AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB's work in these areas is supported by the strong presence the organization maintains in Washington, DC, ensuring the rights and interests of people with vision loss are represented in our nation's public policies.

In addition to its New York City headquarters and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC, AFB maintains offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Huntington, WV, and San Francisco. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB to expand possibilities for people with vision loss.

Family Connect

FamilyConnect is an online, multimedia community created by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI). This site gives parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and link to local resources. The site also features a mom-authored blog, inspiring video testimonials from families, and articles authored by parents and experts in the field of blindness on multiple disabilities, technology, education, and more. From the personal to the professional, families will find all the resources they need to raise their children from birth to adulthood.

Braille Books For the Blind

Braille Institute of America

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. The Institute provides an environment of hope and encouragement for people who are blind and visually impaired through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services.

Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
The Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (formerly the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) provides direct library service to eligible Minnesotans who are legally blind or visually impaired (with visual acuity 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses), physically disabled (unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations), or reading disabled. For more information on eligibility requirements visit the website of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
The technical assistance team has been recognized nationally as a truly unique staff consisting of a parent, educator and pediatrician. This combination allows for a holistic look at each child, their family and education team. Project staff are available for on-site visits to homes or schools to provide technical assistance as needed. This may include consultation with parents, teachers, related staff members, and school administrators. We help families and educators understand the impact of combined vision and hearing loss on development and learning.

We can help staff with individualized programs for children based on student need. We refer teams to other resources in the community and provide networking opportunities for teachers, workshops, and training opportunities. We help with program development regionally and statewide.

Minnesota Department of Education
The Minnesota Department of Education strives to be an innovative education agency serving a wide range of customers: approximately 850,000 K-12 students and their families; 118,000 young children participating in a variety of early learning programs including Head Start and ECFE; 82,000 adult learners participating in adult education programs including GED and citizenship programs; Minnesota’s 339 school districts and over 52,000 licensed teachers. Check out the Blind-Visually Impaired program

Minnesota NAPVI
Minnesota NAPVI (MNAPVI) is an organization for parents by parents of visually impaired children. It's goal is to help Minnesota families impacted by visual impairments. It is a state affiliate of NAPVI - the National Association for Parents of children with Visual Impairments. For more information on MNAPVI please contact:

Minnesota North Star
About Minnesota provides you with a vast amount of reference information on Minnesota. Whether you are interested in geography or writing a history report for school, this site gives you the facts.

Minnesota State Legislature
For Minnesota's House and Senate legislature information.

Minnesota State Council On Disability

The Minnesota State Council on Disability is an agency that advises, provides technical assistance, collaborates and advocates to expand opportunities, improve the quality of life and empower all persons with disabilities.

Minnesota State Services for the Blind

State Services for the Blind (SSB) is a branch within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. It is funded by Federal, State and private dollars. SSB believes that blindness should never stop people from obtaining jobs, participating in training, or in any activities which reflect their potential and interests.

National Association for Parents of Children With Visual Impairments

NAPVI is a national organization that enables parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities. NAPVI provides leadership, support, and training to assist parents in helping children reach their potential. NAPVI is dedicated to:

• Giving Emotional Support
• Initiating outreach programs
• Networking
• Advocating for the educational needs and welfare of children who are blind or visually impaired

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National Braille Association

The mission of the National Braille Association, Inc. is to provide continuing education to those who prepare braille, and to provide braille materials to persons who are visually impaired.

National Federation of the Blind Minnesota

The mission of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota is to bring about the complete integration of the blind into our community on a basis of equality. Included in this mission are the removal of legal, economic, and social discrimination; the education of the public to develop more positive attitudes toward blindness; and the achievement by all blind people of the right to exercise, to the fullest, their individual talents and capacities.

The Pacer Center

The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

Perkins Scout

Perkins Scout is a searchable database of carefully evaluated online resources related to blindness and visual impairment. The website mascot, a dog guide named Scout, will help you retrieve the information you’re looking for; all of it has been reviewed by Perkins experts and organized for your convenience.

Volunteer Braille Services
Very Bumpy Stories is a lending library of brailled books for children located in Golden Valley, MN. This library, maintained by Volunteer Braille Services, is the only browsing braille library in the Twin Cities area. The library includes over 700 print/braille books for young children and about 900 titles for older children and teens.

VSA Minnesota
VSA Minnesota works to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. It was founded in 1986, is an affiliate of VSA in Washington D.C. which was founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith. It is a non-profit agency that provides programs and services that make the arts available and accessible to Minnesota people with disabilities. VSA Minnesota is dedicated to ensuring that music, theater, dance, creative writing, and visual and media arts play a part in the lives of all people. In addition, VSA Minnesota believes that experiences in the arts enhance personal growth, increase educational achievement and enable career success. Participation in the arts promotes acceptance and inclusion in all aspects of life. Visit this page for a list of monthly audio described events in Minnesota

Minnesota Low Incidence Projects
The Minnesota Collaborative Preparation Program for Teachers of Special Education: Blind or Visually Impaired