To advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired
Resources
Video
New Video Released: How Can I Help You?
Recently, blind or visually impaired members of the Advocacy Committee of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind shared personal stories about difficulties they had experienced in hospitals and other medical practices and facilities.
The group asked:“How can we change things?”
The decision was made: “Lets make a training video.”
Enlisting the help of Concord Hospital the Committee discovered they had a partner with a strong interest – and the ability to produce training videos. The Committee wrote the script, acted the roles, and trained hospital staff and volunteers. Concord Hospital filmed the video.
The New Hampshire Hospital Association, the NH Medical Society, and the Home Care Association of NH are also supporting partners - encouraging their memberships to use this valuable tool for staff and volunteer training.
Any organization may use this video to promote accessibility for persons who are blind and visually impaired. We also encourage others to create similar tools and disseminate them broadly.
View the Video | Download the Video
Living a Full Life with Low Vision |
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Association Publications
Quarterly Newsletters & Annual Reports
What to Do When You Meet a Blind Person
The Association's 2011 Fact Sheet (PDF, 21 KB)
New Hampshire Resources
There exists a strong network of New Hampshire organizations that provide valuable services and resources for people who are blind and visually impaired of all ages. These organizations all work in close partnerships and have for many, many years.
Unlike in other parts of the country there is virtually no duplication of services in New Hampshire. These organizations include New Hampshire State agencies funded through State and Federal grants and third-party payers such as Medicare, organizations that combine Public and Private funding, and 501-c-3 not-for-profit charitable organizations (such as the New Hampshire Association for the Blind).
Inter-Actions
6 Chenell Drive, Suite 205
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: (603) 228-2803
Eligibility: Inter-Actions is a non-profit organization providing summer camping and recreational programming for children and adults who are visually impaired.
Services: Inter-Actions provides a traditional summer camp experience for boys and girls ages 9-14 who are visually impaired. A counselor in training program includes high school students who are visually impaired, providing a role model for the younger children. Through challenging and rewarding experiences the campers will make new friends, learn new skills, gain self-confidence and develop independence. Activities include: swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, woodworking, music, sports activities, and daily living skills. All activities are incorporated into fun-filled days!
Visit the Inter-Actions Web site.
Library Services for Persons with Disabilities
The Talking Book Program
Dolloff Building, 117 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: (603) 271-3429, (800) 491-4200
Eligibility: Blindness, visual impairment, or physical disability making reading difficult. Any professional in the fields of eye care, education or rehabilitation of people who are blind can certify applicants. Students who are certified by a physician as having a reading disability are also eligible.
Services: Non-text book materials are available on disk or cassette. Machines to play the books are also provided. Services are funded federally without cost to the individual. Available to individuals ages four through adult. Temporary disabilities accepted.
Visit the Talking Books Web site.
Merrimack County Services
A statewide network of community-based connections for elders, adults with disabilities and their families.
2 Industrial Park Drive
Concord, NH 03302-1016
(603) 228-6625 phone
(603) 228-6623 fax
M.I.C.E. Program
Multi-Sensory Intervention through Consultation and Education
151 A Manchester St, Suite 51, P. O. Box 2274
Concord, NH 03302-2274
Tel: (603) 228-1028, Fax: (603) 228-3400, TTY: (603) 228-5755
Jan Halley - JanHalley@juno.com
Eligibility: Age 0-3 - Any child suspected of having a visual or hearing impairment may be referred to the MICE Program. Each child will then be referred to the local Area Agency to do an intake assessment and set up a developmental evaluation. The local early supports and services program will do an assessment to determine eligibility. A child must be found eligible for early supports and services prior to their eligibility for MICE Program services. Children with diagnosed vision and hearing impairments are eligible for early supports and services under an established condition but must have the developmental evaluation to determine eligibility.
Services: Developmental evaluation (in conjunction with early supports and services staff) with the emphasis on the impact of a visual/hearing impairment on learning and development, consultation and technical assistance provided to early supports and service teams, direct services to children and families. The program serves children (age's birth to three) for whom there is a concern relative to vision and/or hearing. It is administered by the Parent Information Center in cooperation with the Bureau of Developmental Services.
New Hampshire’s Nonprofit Sector: IN BRIEF
New Hampshire Dog Guide Users Group
The Dog Guide Users of New Hampshire is a support group that aims to promote the use of Service Dogs for the disabled through peer support, advocacy, education, and public awareness, and for all individuals interested in the care, handling, and/or raising of Guide or Service Dogs for independent living.
Visit the New Hampshire Dog Guide Users Group Web site.
NH Parents of the Visually Impaired (NHPVI)
NH Parents of the Visually Impaired (NHPVI), also known as the NH chapter of The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI).
From the NHPVI Web site: "We are the NH Parents of the Visually Impaired (NHPVI), also known as the NH chapter of The National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI). This is a very exciting new step for us. Our group currently meets three to four times a year in various places. We are always looking to see new faces at our meetings."
If you would like to be added to their mailing list, please send an e-mail to nancyfnh@aol.com
Visit the NAPVI Web site.
Atech Vision and Hearing Services - Instructional and Technical Support
ATECH Services
57 Regional Drive, Suite #7
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: (603) 226-2900 (V/TTY)
E-mail: kathyt@atechservices.org
Atech Vision and Hearing Services provide an array of services and supports for students with vision and/or hearing loss. Funded by the NH Department of Education, Coordinated by ATECH Services.
Visit the ATECH Site.
S.E.R.E.S.C.
Southeastern Regional Education Service Center, Inc.
29 Commerce Drive
Bedford, NH 03110
Tel: (603) 206-6800
Eligibility: Age 3-21.
Services: S.E.R.E.S.C. is a statewide, non-profit agency providing a wide range of educational services. SERESC employs several certified teachers of the blind and visually impaired that are contracted by school districts. Comprehensive services are provided to children from age 3 to 21 years. Services include: functional vision assessments, learning and literacy media assessments, as well as consultation and direct instruction.
Visit the S.E.R.E.S.C. Web site.
Services for Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI)
21 South Fruit Street, Suite #20
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: (603) 271-3537
Eligibility: Must meet New Hampshire vocational rehabilitation eligibility criteria. Clients may be referred at age 14.
Services: SBVI is a statewide program that offers comprehensive services to enable blind and visually impaired individuals to secure employment and personal independence. Services include - vocational rehabilitation counseling, assessment, skills training, technology and rehabilitative engineering and job placement.
SBVI also runs the SSIL (Sight Services for Independent Living) Program Ð a statewide program of peer support groups for age 55 and older.
Visit the SBVI Web site.
Sight Services for Independent Living
Eligibility – Visually impaired NH residents 55+
Services – Individual services and peer support groups
Website: http://www.education.nh.gov/career/vocational/blind_visu.htm
78 Regional Drive, Bldg. 2
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 1-800-581-6881
Service Link: A statewide network of community-based connections for elders, adults with disabilities and their families
Contact Service Link at 1-866-634-9412
National Resources
We recommend that persons interested in blindness and national resources check the following Web sites.
Adaptive Technology Consulting
American Foundation for the Blind
National Federation of the Blind
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
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.
For more information visit their website at http://www.spedex.com/napvi/