To advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the mission of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind?
To advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired.
Is the New Hampshire Association for the Blind part of any national organization?
No, the Association is an all New Hampshire non-profit organization that provides services throughout the state. All funds received are spent in New Hampshire to provide services to those New Hampshire residents living with visual impairments or blindness.
Is the New Hampshire Association for the Blind a state agency?
No, the Association is a private statewide non-profit 501(c) (3) vision rehabilitation agency that was started over ninety years ago in Hancock, NH. It relies on charitable contributions for 77% of its revenue.
What kind of help may I receive at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind?
The possibilities are:
- Social work - counseling for individual and family adjustment to vision loss, support groups; also referrals to helpful community services.
- Rehab teaching helps an individual adjust to vision loss and stay independent as staff and the person find new practical skills to use when cooking, making change, shaving or putting on make-up, playing cards, tell time or managing diabetes.
- Low vision services assists a person who is partially sighted to use his/her remaining vision effectively after a low vision evaluation and with training to use low vision devices. An eye care professional and low vision therapist give this help.
- Specialized training on a one-to-one basis to help an individual develop safe independent travel skills (officially called, orientation & mobility instruction) at home, on the streets of their town, at work, while using public transportation.
- Assistive technology demonstrations and training in a variety of high and low tech devices, computer lab for individual/group training.
- Volunteers are in-home visitors and/or drivers to clients in their own communities.
- Educational services - programs for school-age children who are experiencing visual difficulties and/or blindness provided by a teacher/consultant of the visually impaired.
- Public education - Speakers Bureau, workshops, pamphlets on eye diseases, educational videos, advocacy.
How much will services cost me?
The social worker reviews all information collected and then discusses objectives with each person applying for services. Together they agree on an individual service plan. The social worker also explains how our services are provided. All clients are asked to contribute toward their services at a level they can afford. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay.
Are services covered by Medicare or government funding?
Medicare does NOT cover vision rehabilitation services. Some services may be reimbursed via our partnerships with state agencies and school districts. The majority of funding for the Association depends on contributions by individuals, foundations, businesses and service clubs.
May I receive your services in my home as well as at the McGreal Sight Center or the Portsmouth office at Wentworth Connections?
You can take advantage of all choices - the professional staff will come to your home but also holds such activities as low vision evaluations, group training programs and computer training at the McGreal Sight Center, Concord or in our Portsmouth office at Wentworth Connections. Computer training may also be done in your home.
After getting services how can I stay connected with the Association?
Among choices: support groups meet both at the McGreal Sight Center and at the Portsmouth Office at Wentworth Connections. There is also a technology users group, computer training and daily living skills training programs.
How does a person get a dog guide?
There are several dog guide schools around the country that specially train dog guides and their owner. It is a personal choice whether a person who is visually impaired uses a dog to travel independently. The Agency can put anyone in touch with these schools.
What is the white cane?
The white cane is the international symbol of blindness. After training, a person who is visually impaired uses a white cane to travel independently to locate steps, curbs, streets, driveways, elevators, chairs, hallways, etc. The cane is long enough to be about two steps ahead of one's feet so one finds things with the cane before one gets to them. Each state has a white cane law that says that the blind and visually impaired using a cane or dog guide has the same rights of public access as the sighted. This person can take their cane or dog into public buildings, restaurants, theaters, bowling alleys, planes, etc.
Where can I learn more about eye diseases?
At the Cogswell Resource Library, McGreal Sight Center, Concord. At this library there are books, brochures, audio and videotapes and reference materials helpful to persons who are blind and visually impaired, their families, teachers. Items may be taken on a loan basis, some you may keep.
Help me understand what the term, legally blind, means.
Legal blindness - is an arbitrary definition used to determine eligibility for government disability benefits. In the United States: the criteria for legal blindness are: 1). visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective lenses (20/200 means that a person at 20 feet from an eye chart can see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet or 2). visual field restriction to 20 degrees diameter or less in the better eye. (Definition from Webster's New World Medical Dictionary.)
Still have other questions or want to apply for services?
You can contact the office at the McGreal Sight Center, Concord, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
PHONE NUMBERS:
1-800-464-3075 (toll free in NH)
or
603-224-4039 (Concord office)
or
603-431-9401 (Portsmouth office)
Email: services@sightcenter.org
Learn More: The Association's History
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