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Resources

ACB Resource Page

 

Welcome to the ACB website Resource Page

Listed below are resources that will hopefully point you in the right direction to obtain the specific services that will assist you on your journey.

 

State Resources

 

Maine State Library


The Maine State Library facilitates access to and delivery of library services and collection resources for the State of Maine.


These services include the popular Talking Books Plus/Library for the Blind and visually impaired.


To find out more go to the Maine State Library


Maine Organization of Blind Athletic and Leadership Advocation (MOBALE)


To find out more about this inspirational organization, go to the MOBALE website:


Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired


Providing comprehensive services for visually impaired and blind individuals of all ages.


If you have a vision problem that prevents you from carrying out the activities of daily living, getting an education or a job, there is help.


To learn more, go to the DBVI website.


State Rehabilitation Council Division for the blind and Visually Impaired (SRC DBVI)


The State Rehabilitation Council for DBVI is a diverse group of people concerned with the quality of vocational rehabilitation services provided to blind Maine citizens. For more information about serving on this council


For more information, go to the Maine SRC website

 

Alpha One


 Since 1978, Alpha One, a Center for Independent Living, has enabled thousands of people with disabilities to live more fully and more independently in all aspects of their lives. Few Centers for Independent Living in the United States or other public or private agencies in Maine offer Alpha One’s variety and depth of independent living


To find out more, go to Alpha One website


The Iris Network


 At The Iris Network, we’ve helped thousands of people meet the challenges of vision loss.  Adjusting is a learning process that takes time and patience.  We design our range of services and programs to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual.


To find out more, go to The Iris Network website.


Watch an Iris Information Video on Common Courtesies with regards to the Blind Community


Catholic Charities of Maine


 Catholic Charities empowers and strengthens individuals and families of all faiths by providing innovative community-based social services throughout Maine.


To learn more,  go to Catholic Charities of Maine website.


Child Development Services


 The Child Development Services system is an Intermediate Educational Unit that provides both Early Intervention (birth through two years) and Free Appropriate Public Education (for ages three through five years) under the supervision of the Maine Department of Education.


To find out more, go to Child Development Services website.


Maine Parent Federation


 The Maine Parent Federation (MPF), in existence since 1984, is a private non-profit organization. MPF provides information, referral, one on one telephone

support, and training to parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs and the                             professionals who work with these families through numerous grant-funded projects.


To learn more, go to Maine Parent Federation (MPF) website


Goodwill Industries of Northern New England


Goodwill Industries of Northern New England was established in 1933 in Portland, Maine by Reverend Frederick Olsen. Today, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England continues to help others overcome barriers in their lives to achieve social and economic independence.


To learn more, go to Goodwill Industries of Northern New England website


Maine Statewide Independent Living Council, (SILC)


The Maine Statewide Independent Living Council is dedicated to ensuring that citizens with disabilities have control over their lives and environments with equal access to options, opportunities, and choices as do all citizens.


To find out more, go to the Maine SILC website.


Maine CITE


 The Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE Program is designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who may need them.


To get more information go to  Maine Cite website.

 

VA Togus – Visual Impairment Service Team “VIST”


 For more information about the VIST program,

Please contact: Amy Tague,  207-623-8411

 

Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation Program


To find out more, go to Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation Program

 

Disability Rights Maine


Disability Rights Maine (DRM) is Maine’s protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

DRM provides individuals with information about their rights and service systems, and represents individuals at meetings and hearings by providing legal services to individuals and groups. DRM also acts as a referral service for individuals who are unable to be directly assisted.


To find out more information, go to DRM website.


160 Capitol Street, Suite 4
Augusta, Maine 04330
207.626.2774 x110 V/TTY)
800.452.1948 (V/TTY)
207.621.1419 (FAX)
Website: www.drme.org


Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)


Maine Emergency Management Agency coordinates the State of Maine’s programs of emergency preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and homeland.

For more information, check out the services provided from the MEMA website.


Maine State Housing


Having an affordable, safe and accessible  home is often a barrier to employment.  The Maine State Housing Authority can help with this.  They offer subsidized housing, energy assistance, mortgage help and home-buyers classes.


To find out more about how MSH can assist you, go to the Maine State Housing website.


Deaf Services


DRM’s Deaf Advocacy and Communication Access Program serves Maine people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, Deaf-Blind (dual sensory loss – sight and sound), or who use signs and gestures to communicate. They also work with agencies and individuals who provide support services – as well as those who provide education, housing and employment opportunities.


For more information about Deaf Services.


Albinston Foundation of Maine


The Adaptive Outdoor Education Center


A non profit organization located in beautiful Carrabassett Valley Maine, providing outdoor recreational and educational opportunities to all people with disabilities.


For more information, go to the Albinston Foundation of Maine


VISTA Support Group


VISTA (Visually Impaired Support Team Alliance) allows people with vision impairments to connect, network and share resources.  It is an opportunity for members to discuss overcoming challenges , while mentoring and supporting one another, in a confidential environment.  

In order to make the program as interactive as possible, we use the Zoom conferencing platform.  We meet on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, from 7pm to 8:30pm.  

For more information, contact Linda Richards



Phone: 207-872-5930

National Resources

 


Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life.


VIVA – ACB


Visually Impaired Veterans of America – ACB


To maintain, promote and foster the well being and rehabilitation of all visually Impaired veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.


To find out more, go to VIVA ACB website


Alliance for Technology Access


 ATA is an international network connecting families, consumers, organizations, technology developers, educators, and other professionals to build a future that is accessible to everyone.


We promote a consumer-directed service model, which allows people to obtain direct experience and make their own informed decisions.


To get more information, go to Alliance for Technology Access website.


Rutgers College Resources


College resources website designed by Rutgers University, devoted to students of all ages, with all forms of disabilities.


For access to this informative website, please visit: https://ods.rutgers.edu/ods-resources/accessibility-resources


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.

To learn more information,  go to NAPVI website.

 

The Tramuto Foundation


The Tramuto Foundation provides grants to help youths with special challenges overcome adversity and build the confidence necessary to achieve personal excellence.


 To learn more, go to The Tramuto Foundation website.

 

College Resources for Students wit Disabilities


BestColleges.com


Recently created a guide aimed to inform students with disabilities on their rights and opportunities in higher education, and serve as a central list of college help resources for disabled students, including assistive technologies (sites, apps, software).


You can view the full list of resources at the BestColleges.com website.


Perkins School for the Blind


The Perkins School is an innovative leader in serving people with visual impairments. Strong leadership from both staff and the Board of Trustees has created a legacy of education and discovery. We are always questioning how to best serve our students in the classroom, in the community and around the world.


To find out more go to Perkins School for the Blind.

 

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children


The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) consists of parents, teachers, and others interested in the development and education of blind children. We offer vital support, information, advocacy, and training as we help parents instill independence in a child who happens to be blind.


To find out more. go to the NOPBC website.


American Foundation for the Blind

 

The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential. AFB envisions a world where people with vision loss have equal access and opportunities.


Go to AFB website for more information.

 

National Council on Disabilities


NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.


Go to the  NCD website to learn more about how they can help you.


National Parks Pass Information


Disability.gov


Disability.gov is the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services nationwide.


You can find thousands of resources on topics, such as applying for Social Security disability benefits, finding a job and paying for accessible housing, to name just a few. Let Disability.gov guide you to the information you want.


To learn more about, go to Disability.gov

 

SSA.gov


Delivering Social Security services that meet the ever changing needs of the American public.


Visit the SSA.gov website for more information.

 

Advocacy Groups


American Council of the Blind of Maine


Improving the lives of Maine Citizens who are blind and visually impaired since 1903


To find out more go to ACB of Maine website

 

Pine Tree Guide Dog Users


Pine tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU) is a nonprofit membership organization serving Maine’s blind and visually impaired residents who are partnered with specially trained guide dogs. The organization’s mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life. In pursuit of this mission, PTGDU members engage in a wide variety of opportunities and activities that take place year-round throughout the state.


Visit us at www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org or join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PTGDU

 

National Federation of the Blind

 

The ultimate purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is the complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. NFB has a Newsline program available free of charge to blind or visually impaired individuals, complete with   a selection of daily newspapers and monthly magazines which are read and recorded for individual access.


To find out more go to the NFB website.


American Council of the Blind


The American Council of the Blind strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people.

With an ever growing line up of streaming radio feeds, ACB is continuing to work hard to bring a host of information to the blind and visually impaired community.


To find out more about what ACB has to offer you, go to the  ACB website.


Thanks for visiting ACB Maine’s Resource Page.


Please check back often for updates , and feel free to leave a comment if you wish.


Have an ACB Day!

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