California Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Home
- Low Vision Resources
- California Resources
Agencies at a Glance
- California Dept. of Social Services
- California State Library
Nonprofit and Private Organizations -
- Blindness Support Services
- Braille Institute
- California Council of the Blind
- Guide Dogs of the Blind
- Society for the Blind
Schools and Vocational Training
- California School for the Blind
Government Agencies
California Department of Social Services
Referral services are available to any individual regardless of income. OSB has published the Handbook of Resources and Services for Persons Who Are Blind or Low Vision, a comprehensive directory of social, financial, medical, and technology related to services and products available throughout the State. The Handbook is an invaluable guide to products and services designed to assist individuals coping with vision loss to maximize their capacity for self-esteem and self-sufficiency and can be downloaded from this website in either PDF or text format.
Office of Services to the Blind
744 P Street, MS 9-7-96
Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 657-3327 (Voice)
(916) 651-0602 (Fax)
You may also email us at: BlindAccess@dss.ca.gov
Library and Media Services
California State Library
In connection to the National Library Services for people with print disabilities. Talking (audio) and braille books by mail, downloadable books and magazines via desktop or mobile app, descriptive videos, and audio playback equipment are available for loan — free of charge — to Californians unable to read conventional print due to a visual or physical disability.
These services can be accessed on the website, inquiring at your local library, or the main locations at;
- STANLEY MOSK LIBRARY & COURTS BUILDING
914 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
Monday–Friday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Information Services Section, Government Publications Section, Witkin State Law Library
- CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY BUILDING
900 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-4869
Tuesday–Thursday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Braille and Talking Book Library, California History Section
Tuesday–Thursday, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Braille and Talking Book Library, California History Section
- SUTRO LIBRARY
J. Paul Leonard Library 5th Floor
1630 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:0
Nonprofit and Private organizations
Blindness Support Services, Inc.
Dedicated to teaching those who are blind or have visual impairments to become more independent and adapt to the challenges they have.
Services:
- Assistive Technology Training
- Orientation and Mobility Training
- Independent Living Skills
- Children
- Braille
- Department of Older Adults
- Travel Training
3696 Beatty Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
(951) 341-9244
Braille Institute
Free services provided online, in-person, and on the phone for people of all ages who are experiencing vision loss. Through individual and small groups programs, students and patrons learn new ways to do the things they love.
Locations:
527 North Dale Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92801
74-245 Highway 111 #E101
Palm Desert, CA 92260
24411 Ridge Route Drive #130
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
6974 Brockton Avenue #100
Riverside, CA 92506
9635 Granite Ridge Dr. #130
San Diego, CA 92123
2031 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
California Council of the Blind
As a statewide membership organization, CCB's mission is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all Californians who are blind and visually impaired. Through CCB's office in Sacramento and its 40 local chapters and statewide special interest associations, the Council provides information and referral, technical assistance, advocacy, leadership development, publications, emergency funds, accessible technology loans, and scholarships.
2143 Hurley Way, Suite 102
Sacramento, CA 95825
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday
Toll-Free in California: 800-221-6359
Outside California: 916-441-2100
ccotb@ccbnet.org
Guide Dogs for the Blind
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we have three core client programs:
- Guide Dog Program: matching people with highly-trained guide dogs.
- Orientation & Mobility Immersion Program: teaching orientation and mobility tactics for safe, independent travel, including the skills that are most relevant to guide dog mobility.
- K9 Buddy Program: matching both children and adults with specially selected dogs to be their pets and companions.
We also have a lineup of informational events (both in person and virtual) for people interested in learning more about our programs and the guide dog lifestyle, as well as comprehensive programs for youth and young adults.
All of our services are provided free of charge, and we serve people from throughout the United States and Canada.
National Headquarters:
P.O. Box 151200
San Rafael, California
94915-1200
800-295-4050
California Campus
350 Los Ranchitos Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415.499.4000
Society for the Blind
A full-service nonprofit agency providing services and programs for people who are blind or have low vision. Serving 27 counties in Northern California, Society for the Blind is located in Midtown Sacramento and has been serving our community for more than 60 years.
Some services are:
- Low vision clinic
- Youth programs
- 55+ programs
- Classes
- Braille Production and Training
- CareerPlus
1238 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 452-8271
info@societyfortheblind.org
Schools and Vocational Training
California School for the Blind
Provides intensive, disability-specific educational services to students who have primary learning needs related to their visual impairment. The school serves as a statewide resource to provide expertise to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and families in evidenced based assessment, specialized curriculum, cutting-edge research and technology, and innovative models of instruction that prepare students for adult life.
Vision
In partnership with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), families, students, and community constituents, the California School for the Blind strives to create an atmosphere where high expectations and mutual respect between all staff and students is valued to ensure positive outcomes for academic and life skills success in a technologically-advanced society.
500 Walnut Avenue
Fremont, CA 94536
(510)794-3800
info@csb-cde.ca.gov
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