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While there are numerous governmental and private agencies that offer
help for people with vision loss, there's no centralized "one-stop"
resource for the information and services you need and may even be
entitled to by law. If you intend to get the most out of the
rehabilitation system, here's what you need to know:
1. There are vision rehabilitation services specifically for older
adults. If you're 55 or older and in need of training in daily
living skills, a good place to start looking is your state's general
rehabilitation agency or, if there is one, the state rehabilitation
agency for people with vision loss. It's the responsibility of the
state to provide services it identifies as necessary based on your
specific needs and circumstances.
2. If you're a U.S. veteran, you can access a broad range of services
at the federal and state level. The U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs includes a Blind
Rehabilitation Service that provides eye health care and
rehabilitation training to qualified veterans. Each state has at
least one Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST), and there are
rehabilitation centers specifically for veterans who are blind or
have low vision in Puerto Rico and the following states: Alabama, Arizona,
California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Washington.
3. While closely related, services for older Americans and those for
people with low vision are not always well integrated. This
means you ought to be in contact with your state's lead agency for
general aging services, as well. State Units on Aging were created
by the 1965 Older Americans Act to coordinate services for older
people in each state. Visit the Eldercare Locator to connect to your state and local agencies on aging.
4. Vision rehabilitation for people over 55 who are not planning
to return to the workforce is generally provided by the state under a
separate program. Known as Independent
Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind
, this program focuses
on daily living skills orientation and mobility, the provision of
adaptive devices, and counseling.
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