Service Provider Resources
Below are profiles of organizations, programs, services and useful websites from around the world. Don’t hesitate to check out resources from other countries; they may be useful to you even though they aren’t specific to where you live.
The largest educator of people who are blind or partially sighted in the world, with students in all 50 states and 100 countries, Hadley offers distance education courses free of charge to individuals and their families and affordable tuition courses to service providers in the field. Hadley is also the largest educator of braille. Students must be blind or partially sighted and over 14 years of age, a relative, or a service professional working with people who are blind or partially sighted.
Keywords: high school, post-secondary, free courses, distance education, online high school education, online continuing education, disability specific skills training, assistive technology
The largest
educator of people who are blind or partially sighted around the world, serving
more than 10,000 students annually in 50 states and 100 countries, Hadley’s
directory offers a comprehensive list of useful websites such as dog guide
schools, distance education, specialized schools employment, parenting and
independent living.
Keywords: international, independent living, parenting, guide-dogs, job seekers, employment, training, education, assistive technology, recreation, directory
Offers a number of online resources for educators, including webinars, webcasts and a research library of more than 40,000 resource materials on blindness and deaf blindness. The Accessible Science section provides science activities that have been adapted for students who are blind or partially sighted. It also offers links to its training centre and some additional resources for professionals. The Perkins Training Center offers workshops and seminars and professionals can earn professional development and continuing education credits by watching Perkins webcasts. Perkins also writes and produces publications that serve as training guides for teachers, family members and caregivers. Its early literacy program helps parents teach early literacy skills to young children while the Assistive Device Centre gives important information on games and educational materials for children.
Keywords: Online learning
Pre-school
Elementary school
High school
Disability specific training
Classroom training
Video
Webinar
Webcast
United States
Games
Adult education
Offering a
large list of services in the US and Canada; you can also search via service or
organizational name and you can narrow your search to specific Canadian
provinces or American states. There are 325 listings under the heading
“employment, job training”.
Keywords: directory, international, training, employment, sports and recreation, workplace accommodations, financial assistance, education, job seeking, career preparation
A school for students who are blind, partially sighted or deafblind. It offers a residency program at its location in Brantford, Ontario and provides life skills training, music therapy and workshops for educators. Within the school you can also find a Resources Services Library which provides Braille and alternate print formats for students across Ontario.
Keywords: Ontario, life skills, training, high school , elementary school, post- secondary students, education, vocational training, music therapy, braille library, residency program, orientation and mobility, communication skills
Be My Eyes now creates private video support networks for work, school and other membership organizations, giving employees, students and members with vision impairments an added layer of security and support. Ask about Be My Eyes at your workplace!
Keywords: United States, Job Support, Disabilities
American Foundation for the Blind and Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight
An online resource providing free, practical, hands-on information to help promote independence and enhance quality of life for individuals who are blind or partially sighted, as well as their families, friends and service providers. Offers tips related to accessibility, living independently, employment and more.
Keywords: international, training, online learning, career advancement, career preparation, workplace accommodations, interview preparation, interview follow-up
The New York-based organization is dedicated to helping people with low vision enjoy safe, productive and independent lives. Lighthouse runs three unique schools: an integrated preschool, a music school and an adult continuing education school. The organization also publishes informational tip sheets and publications. Lighthouse runs an online and physical store, selling an array of vision-friendly products
Keywords: United States, continuing education, music, tip sheets, assistive technology store
U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
A job accommodation resource, consultants offer guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues for the benefit of employers and people with disabilities. Services for employers include consultation on the accommodation process and accommodation ideas. Individuals receive consults on job accommodation ideas, requesting and negotiating accommodations and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws.
Keywords: United States, employment counselling, training, work stations, equipment, workplace accommodation, consultation, podcast, job seekers
Washington State School for the Blind
A variety of videos and accompanying material offering tips on how to learn a range of life management skills.
Keywords: international, videos, training, online learning, education, disability specific skills training
RNIB
With the aim of helping job seekers who are blind or partially sighted develop a variety of skills to help them find work, the toolkit addresses things like confidence, body language and visual presentation. It offers fact, tips, worksheets and role play exercises as well as advice on how to find the right job. Titled “Job Search, the Real Story” and comprising five modules, the toolkit also covers issues related to service providers and employers, providing them with advice on how to effectively offer employees a successful work opportunity.
Keywords: UK, training, career preparation, job seeking/ search skills, interview preparation/follow-up, career advancement, workplace accommodations, employer concerns
A network of 22 community agencies in Toronto who assist Persons with Disabilities to find and maintain employment. They also assist employers in finding qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs. Offers mentoring events, job fairs with reputable employers, and employer conferences.
Keywords: Toronto, job seekers, employers, service providers, mentorship
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Providing links to colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and other countries that offer courses in education and rehabilitation of people who are blind or partially sighted.
Keywords: international, online learning, education, scholarships,continuing education, career advancement, advocacy
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Offering service providers with training in DBS Assistive technology.
Keywords: United States, online learning, training, assistive technology, information resource
The podcast is a REDI Chat with Gary Horton,
CEO of Vanward Consulting in Detroit, Michigan – an entrepreneur who is blind
and runs an agency that provides employment readiness training and corporate
internship placements for young people with visual impairments. He is
interviewed by Larry Worth, SVP, Rangam, an international IT staffing firm.
Keywords: United States, Podcast, Corporate Internship Programs
Carroll Center for the Blind
Carroll Tech is a web-based distance learning service intended to assist people who are blind or partially sighted as well as to train education and rehabilitation professionals. Courses are primarily in access technologies such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, Braille embossers, note-takers and scanners.
Keywords: international, online learning, training, videos, access technology, job maintenance, career advancement
A list of three publications designed to help people with vision loss by educating their families and support networks with supportive insights, coping strategies and information.
Keywords: international, information resource, support, relatives
College Accessibility for Visually Impaired Students
Online Colleges discusses how students with visual impairments can make the most of their college experience. It includes sections on ways to get more involved in school, a list of curated scholarships for students with visual impairments, and outlines the best assistive technologies for visually impaired students to use.
Keywords: Education, United States, Long-Distance Learning, Scholarships, Information
Helping Students with Visual Impairments
Addressing each need of students with visual impairments and improving
overall accessibility are vital to their academic success. This guide
explains how colleges are creating more welcoming and inclusive learning
environments, with a sharp focus on assistive technology, campus
resources that provide assistive services and tools, information about
scholarships for students with visual impairments, and online resources
they can access to facilitate academic and career success.
Keywords: Online learning
Disability specific training
Classroom training
United States
Adult education
Online Resources
Le RAAQ
An organization based in Quebec (with 12 regional associations) dedicated to helping individuals who are blind or partially sighted integrate, defend their rights and promote their interests. The site also offers information and definitions for educational purposes.
Keywords: french language, Quebec, definitions, self-advocacy, integration, online learning, self-advocacy
Through twelve rehabilitation centres, the Institut Nazareth offers residents of Montréal, Laval, and the Montérégie region (southwest Quebec) services including vision evaluations, daily life skills training, counseling, assistance with adaptive technology, and career support. Applicants must have their vision loss confirmed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The organization also hosts over 6,500 offline documents on vision loss and rehabilitation, along with an online database; several videos; and an online store.
Keywords: Québec, online store, career counselling, workplace accommodations, disability specific, skills training, training
United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Prepared by the United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, this thematic study provides detailed information related to persons with disabilities and the right to work. It outlines workplace policies on prohibiting discrimination, enabling effective access to guidance and training, promoting employment opportunities, ensuring reasonable accommodation, protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, and more.
Keywords: international, advocacy, research, workplace accommodations, human rights, disabilities