About Us
The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.
What We Do
AFB Leadership
Events and Awards
- 2021 Centennial Celebration |
- Helen Keller Achievement Awards |
- AFB Leadership Conference 2020 |
- Migel Medal Awards |
- American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference 2019 |
- Corinne Kirchner Research Award |
- AFB Scholarships |
- Stephen Garff Marriott Award |
- Other Scholarships and Grants for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
AFB Videos
- Finding Wheels: Let’s Talk Nondriving and Low Vision Driving for Teens and People in Their Early 20s |
- Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2021 |
- AFB Envisions a World of No Limits for Children with Visual Impairments |
- Expanding Possibilities for People with Vision Loss |
- Changing the Way the World Sees Blindness |
- AFB Breakthroughs |
- AFB Breakthroughs (Full Video) |
- Launching the Helen Keller Archive |
- Kirk Adams at 2017 NIB/NAEPB National Symposium |
- When I Grow Up |
- Patricia Walsh Keynote
Strategic Plan
Annual Report and Financials
History
Research and Initiatives
AFB's Public Policy and Research Center strives to accurately and persuasively understand and describe the characteristics, experiences, needs, and capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired.
Public Policy Advocacy
- March 2021 Comments on Guidance Needed to Reopen Schools |
- February 2021 Letter to FCC on E-Rate broadband access |
- April 2021 Comments on the Automated Driving Systems Safety Framework |
- AFB Public Policy Letters, Comments, and Statements |
- September 22, 2021 Transit Safety Concerns Comments |
- 2021 Public Policy Priorities
Treat Transportation as a Essential Service (Joint Letter from the CCD)
COVID-19 and Adults Who Are Blind, Have Low Vision, or Are Deafblind
- The Journey Forward: Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic |
- Executive Summary |
- Acknowledgement |
- Introduction |
- Technology Usage |
- Transportation |
- Social Experiences |
- Healthcare |
- Access to Food, Meals, and Supplies |
- Employment |
- Your Education |
- Experiences Supporting Children in K–12 Education |
- Voting |
- Final Thoughts |
- Digital Appendix
Serving the Needs of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Healthcare Settings
- Video: Supporting Individuals with Visual Impairments in the Healthcare Setting, Part One |
- Video: Supporting Individuals with Visual Impairments in the Healthcare Setting, Part Two |
- Handout: General Serving the Needs of Individuals with Visual Impairments in Healthcare Settings |
- Handout: Guidelines for Ancillary & Support Staff |
- Handout: Guidelines for Food Service Staff |
- Handout: Suggestions for Guest Services Staff |
- Handout: Suggestions for Registration Staff
AFB's Research for Guide Dogs for the Blind
Workplace Technology Study
Employment
- No Limits Employment |
- Disability Employment Research: Key Takeaways |
- Employment Programs for Blind and Low Vision Americans: What Are We Not Doing? |
- Employment Summits |
- Blind Leaders Development Program |
- Meet Denna Lambert
Statistical Snapshots from the American Foundation for the Blind
- Key Definitions of Statistical Terms |
- Facts and Figures on Adults with Vision Loss |
- Employment Statistics |
- Statistics About Older People with Vision Loss |
- Statistics About Children and Youth with Vision Loss |
- State-Specific Statistical Information |
- A Resource Guide to Disability Statistics |
- Archive of Blindness Statistics and Reports
Education
- Research on Educational Impact of COVID-19 |
- Joint Letter from AFB and ACB to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions |
- An Open Letter to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services |
- Joint Letter from ACB and AFB Regarding the COVID-19 Package |
- No Limits Education |
- What Does No Limits Education Look Like? |
- Education Policy: AFB's Past Initiatives
Aging
- Special Report on Aging and Vision Loss |
- Project VISITOR: Transportation Research |
- No Limits Aging |
- AFB Aging and Vision Loss Initiatives
News & Publications
The American Foundation for the Blind is dedicated to promoting awareness of the latest research, resources, and news in the blindness field.
Publications
Press Room
Blindness and Low Vision
Blindness or visual impairment can have a profound impact on your life, but you are still in control. We have an abundance of information to help you, whether you're visually impaired, losing vision, or know someone affected by vision loss.
FamilyConnect
VisionAware
Eye Conditions
- Cortical Visual Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Neurological Vision Loss |
- Diabetes and Vision Loss |
- Diabetes: 7 Lessons on the Basics in Audio with Transcript |
- Low Vision and Legal Blindness Terms and Descriptions |
- Diabetes and Vision Loss: A 7-Lesson Guide to Caring for Yourself |
- Macular Degeneration Guide |
- La diabetes y la pérdida de visión
Braille
Using Technology
- Using Technology for Reading |
- Entertainment |
- Prescription, Health, and Fitness Management Tools |
- Smartphone GPS Navigation |
- Accessible Identification Systems |
- Selecting Home Appliances |
- Interviews with Technology Pioneers |
- Learn Tech: Assistive Technology Videos |
- Using Social Media |
- Online Shopping and Banking |
- Assistive Technology Products |
- Using a Computer with a Visual Impairment |
- Cell Phones, Tablets, and Other Mobile Technology
Disability Rights and Laws
- Civil Rights Laws Covering Transportation Vehicles and Services |
- Voting Accessibility |
- Transportation Issues Key Links |
- AFB Comments on Title II & Title III ADA Proposed Rulemaking |
- Health and Safety |
- Of Consuming Interest: Titles II & III of the ADA |
- Rx Label Enable Campaign |
- ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments |
- Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security |
- Technology and Information Accessibility |
- ADA Title III Public Accommodations Key Links |
- An Appropriate "Copyright of Way" for People with Disabilities: How Would You Describe It? |
- Section 504: Legal Foundations of the Right to Accessible Information |
- Civil Rights Laws Covering Service Animals |
- Advocacy Resources |
- Section 501 and Section 504 Key Links |
- ADA Title II State & Local Governments Key Links |
- ADA Title I Employment Key Links |
- Telecommunications Policy
Take Action!
Join AFB’s no limits mission to help us create an accessible, inclusive world for millions of Americans with vision loss.
Pass the Disability Access to Transportation Act
COVID-19 Advocacy
Announcements
- En-Vision America Celebrates 25 Years |
- National Registry for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments Launches |
- Students With Visual Impairments Needed for Physical Education Research |
- We Have A Winner! (A Photo Contest Winner, That Is) |
- World Blind Union Statement for World Braille Day |
- Important Information Regarding Short-Term TEPEZZA (teprotumumab-trbw) Supply Disruption |
- Remembering Jeopardy! Host, Alex Trebek |
- Hey, Kids! Enter the Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) Contest |
- Aira Announces Support for Get Out The Vote 2020 |
- ATIA Live Course Series: Assistive Technology Resources During COVID-19 |
- Measuring the Time Impact of Web Accessibility for Blind Users |
- Tech Industry Career Showcase
Other Ways to Give
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