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
Leadership and Staff
Events and Awards
- 2021 Centennial Celebration |
- American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference 2019 |
- Helen Keller Achievement Awards |
- Migel Medal Awards |
- AFB Leadership Conference 2020 |
- Corinne Kirchner Research Award |
- AFB Scholarships |
- Other Scholarships and Grants for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired |
- Stephen Garff Marriott Award
AFB Videos
- Finding Wheels: Let’s Talk Nondriving and Low Vision Driving for Teens and People in Their Early 20s |
- AFB Envisions a World of No Limits for Children with Visual Impairments |
- Expanding Possibilities for People with Vision Loss |
- AFB Breakthroughs |
- Changing the Way the World Sees Blindness |
- 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.
Flatten Inaccessibility Study
- Executive Summary |
- Acknowledgement |
- Introduction |
- Transportation |
- Technology Usage |
- Social Experiences |
- Healthcare |
- Access to Food, Meals, and Supplies |
- Employment |
- Your Education |
- Experiences Supporting Children in K–12 Education |
- Voting |
- Final Thoughts |
- Digital Appendix
Treat Transportation as a Essential Service (Joint Letter from the CCD)
Workplace Technology Study
AFB's Research for Guide Dogs for the Blind
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
Employment
- No Limits Employment |
- Disability Employment Research: Key Takeaways |
- Employment Programs for Blind and Low Vision Americans: What Are We Not Doing? |
- AbilityOne Program |
- Employment Summits |
- Meet Denna Lambert |
- Blind Leaders Development Program
Education
- The Second Access and Engagement to Education Survey |
- Access and Engagement Study |
- An Open Letter to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services |
- Access and Engagement Interview |
- Joint Letter from ACB and AFB Regarding the COVID-19 Package |
- Joint Letter from AFB and ACB to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions |
- No Limits Education |
- What Does No Limits Education Look Like? |
- Education Policy: AFB's Past Initiatives
Aging
- Special Report on Aging and Vision Loss |
- No Limits Aging |
- Project VISITOR: Transportation Research |
- 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.
Press Room
Publications
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 |
- Low Vision and Legal Blindness Terms and Descriptions |
- Diabetes: 7 Lessons on the Basics in Audio with Transcript |
- 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
- Interviews with Technology Pioneers |
- Learn Tech: Assistive Technology Videos |
- Using Social Media |
- Online Shopping and Banking |
- Using Technology for Reading |
- Entertainment |
- Prescription, Health, and Fitness Management Tools |
- Smartphone GPS Navigation |
- Accessible Identification Systems |
- Selecting Home Appliances |
- Using a Computer with a Visual Impairment |
- Assistive Technology Products |
- Cell Phones, Tablets, and Other Mobile Technology
Disability Rights and Laws
- 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 |
- 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 |
- 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.
COVID-19 Advocacy
Announcements
- 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 |
- Measuring the Time Impact of Web Accessibility for Blind Users |
- ATIA Live Course Series: Assistive Technology Resources During COVID-19