Visual & Cognitive Impairments

Advance Corporation — Braille-Tac Division
8200 97th Street South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(888) 328-9451

Advance Corporation — Braille-Tac Division manufactures architecturally designed interior/exterior way-finding sign systems and standard & custom ADA compliant signs.

ALVA Access Group, Inc.
436 14th Street Suite 700
Oakland CA 94612
(888) 318-2582

ALVA Access Group is the American division of ALVA B.V. of The Netherlands. For almost two decades, the leadership and vision of ALVA has helped shape the assistive technology industry on the whole. With innovations that include the patented cursor routing switch — used on virtually every braille display manufactured today — ALVA products and licensed technologies are helping people achieve their potential worldwide.

American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
(212) 502-7600

The American Foundation for the Blind — the organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life — is a national nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that the ten million Americans who are blind or visually impaired enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other citizens.

The American Foundation for the Blind promotes wide-ranging, systemic change by addressing the most critical issues facing the growing blind and visually impaired population — employment, independent living, literacy, and technology. In addition to its New York City headquarters, the American Foundation for the Blind maintains four National Centers in cities across the United States, and a Governmental Relations office in Washington, DC.

American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(800) 223-1839 (U.S. and Canada)

The American Printing House for the Blind promotes independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and services needed for education and life.

APH produces books in four accessible formats:

Braille

Recorded

Large Print

Computer Disc

APH develops and manufactures hundreds of products, tools, and supplies that support students and adults who are visually impaired and increase their independence. Examples are:

braille instructional programs

talking computer software

low vision assessment kits

early childhood development materials

braille writing slates

audio recording equipment

videos on topics related to blindness.

Ann Morris Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 9022
Hicksville, NY 11802-9022
(800) 537-2118

Ann Morris Enterprises is dedicated to helping people with vision loss. In 1985, Ann Morris started offering meticulously selected and tested daily living products for the visually impaired. She searched everywhere for cooking, household and personal products. When Ann couldn't find the perfect solutions, she designed her own low vision aids and had them manufactured.

Over the years, Ann Morris's selection of exceptional low vision aids has expanded to include everything from Braille products and CCTVs to canes and talking clocks. Their large variety of low vision aids can help you or someone you know lead a more active and independent life.

Ash Technologies, Ltd.
B5, M7 Business Park
Naas, County Kildare
Ireland
353-45-8822-12

Ash is the name of a type of tree that grows in Ireland, their home base. The letters A S H are also the first letters of the first names of the founders of the company: Alan Johnston, Seamus Gallagher and Hugh Maguire. They founded the company in 1994 and all of them are actively involved in managing the company today. Their aim is to provide portable solutions for people with visual impairments to allow access to print, thus providing more freedom to read and write where you want. They design and manufacture their own products in their premises in Ireland and currently export to over 35 countries world wide.

Beyond Sight, Inc.
5650 South Windermere Street
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 795-6455

In 1989, Jim Misener, a blind businessman from Denver CO. was searching for equipment to help him in his daily life and his business. Needless to say, Jim had to go through what every blind consumer went through at the time, namely having to find answers to questions such as what products are available, and whether they will satisfy his needs.

Having realized how much a blind person has to go through to get the right adaptive products, Jim decided to turn his unfortunate experience into a business devoted to giving the blind consumer a choice of products, and most importantly, the knowledge with which that choice could be rightly made. At Beyond Sight, they are committed to providing the best products and services for their clients. They are the first to offer financing on all of their products nation wide.

BrightEye Technology
2 Westwood Place
Asheville, NC 28806
(877) 233-7323

BrightEye systems scan in any text and lets an individual hear it read out loud in a clear and natural sounding voice. They will read any words that are on the computer screen such as an Internet web page, Email and any other application. Their advanced systems are designed to assist anyone with their READING and WRITING skills.

Scan-A-Page is designed for individuals that would like a whole page of text to be scanned and read out loud. It scans directly into their word processing application. Then, the whole page or any part of the page can be read aloud by the computer.

Scan-A-Word is designed for individuals that want reading assistance for individual words or sentences. It utilizes a special hand held portable scanner that can be used for books or magazines. It easily plugs into any computer or laptop, allowing the user to scan any words right onto the screen of any word processor.

Clarity Solutions
2222 Park Place, Suite 1C
Minden, NV 89423
(800) 575-1456

Clarity is dedicated to developing solutions to help people with low vision retain their independence. They recognize that people with low vision have extreme challenges to overcome and they feel that using a video magnifier should not be one of them. As a result, they strive to offer the easiest to use video magnifiers available — that's why all of their products feature theirexclusive Auto-focus design. Additionally, they have tried to package their video magnifiers in a way that meets the unique requirements of their customers — from their exclusive "Flex" design to more traditional "Inline" configurations. All of these design approaches support their goal of offering video magnification solutions, not just equipment.

Colligo
1304 Meador Avenue, Suite B5
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 647-3404

Colligo (Latin, to assemble, collect) was started as an electronic publisher. The business was grown on the extensive publishing experience of its founders. For it’s first few years, Colligo published electronic coffee table books referred to as the "ULTIMATeBOOK." Titles were prepared for major corporations and organizations, - private and public, - U.S. Department of Commerce, Smithsonian, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and more. Additional publications were for instructional and academia. It was discovered that the majority of published material was not accessible for the reading challenged. Colligo researched the market for over a year to find the "Best of the Best" in assistive or adaptive technology and joined with other organizations to make more information accessible to the several millions who have difficulties with vision, dyslexia and literacy.

Descriptive Video Service (DVS)
Media Access Group at WGBH
125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 300-3600 (voice/TTY)

Founded in 1990, DVS® pioneered access to television for viewers who are blind or visually impaired. The service provides descriptive narration of key visual elements, which is then inserted within the natural pauses in dialogue to help low-vision viewers to better understand the story. Key visual elements are those which viewers with vision loss would ordinarily miss and include actions, costumes, gestures, facial expressions, scene changes, and onscreen text. Descriptions are accessed on TV programs via the Second Audio Program (SAP) option, which is standard on most contemporary TVs and VCRs.

DVS descriptions are currently available on:

169 PBS stations nationwide (reaching more than 80 percent of the nation's households)

Turner Classic Movies cable network

selected series on the CBS, Fox, and Nickelodeon networks

feature films

large-format and IMAX films

more than 200 major home video releases available for purchase through the DVS Home Video® Catalogue or on loan at 1,300 public libraries nationwide

Duxbury Systems, Inc.
270 Littleton Road, Unit 6
Westford, MA 01886-3523
(978) 692-3000

Duxbury Systems leads the world in software for Braille. The Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) and MegaDots, are used by virtually all of the world's leading Braille publishers. No one supports more languages than Duxbury Systems — DBT supports grade 1 and grade 2 translation in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Malaysian, Swedish, and other languages. Their software can produce contracted and uncontracted Braille, mathematics, and technical Braille.

Enabling Technologies Company
1601 NE Braille Place
Jensen Beach, Florida 34957
(800) 777-3687

Enabling Technologies designs, manufactures and supports the most popular Braille embossers in the world from their plant and headquarters in Jensen Beach, Florida. in addition to THEIR regular graphics mode, high resolution graphics mode is a standard feature on all Romeo RB-25, Thomas, ET, Juliet Classic, Juliet PRO, Juliet PRO 60, BookMaker 512, and Braille Express embossers. It's easy to activate.

Freedom Scientific
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1805
(800) 444-4443

Freedom Scientific's mission is to develop, manufacture and market innovative technology-based products and services that those with vision impairments and learning disabilities use to change their world. Freedom Scientific assures quality by deticating resources for continuous innovation in the development, production and delivery of their products; while providing customer service excellence and respect for their customers to meet or exceed their expectations.

GW MICRO, INC.
725 Airport North Office Park
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
(260) 489-3671

GW Micro, Inc. gives independence to the visually impaired through its computer-based speech products. they offer a variety of software and hardware solutions for their visually impaired clients such as Window-Eyes, Vocal-Eyes, Desktop and Laptop Computer Systems. At GW Micro, Inc. they are proud to be a leader in computer services and solutions for the visually impaired. Unlimited satisfaction and support. Guaranteed.

Humanware Group
175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520
(800) 722 3393

HumanWare, Inc. is a major distributor of print-access products to people who are blind or have reading and learning disabilities. HumanWare provides a technological bridge that joins a visually impaired or learning disabled person's goals and aspirations with the means to achieve them through quality products, customized solutions, effective training, caring service and responsive support.

Independent Living Aids, Inc.
P. O. Box 9022
Hicksville, NY 11802-9022
(800) 537-2118

Independent Living Aids is the oldest privately-held mail-order company in the United States of products for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Independent Living Aids has been a Trusted Source for Products for the Blind, Talking Products, and Magnifiers, for Over a Quarter Century!

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc.
13465 Colfax Highway
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(800) 322-4784

In business since 1979, IRTI has been providing everyday useful products as well as high tech innovations for the blind, visually impaired, individuals with dyslexia and learning disabilities.

Innoventions Inc. 9593 Corsair Drive
Conifer, CO 80433-9317
(800) 854-6554

Since 1990, Innoventions has supplied the Magni-Cam Electronic Magnifier to thousands of people with low vision. The Magni-Cam is a light weight, hand held electronic magnifier which connects in minutes to ANY television set to provide enhanced reading ability for those with low vision.

Magnifying Center
3950 NW 120th Avenue
Coral Springs, FL 33065
(800) 364-1608

There are far too many reading challenged individuals who are not aware of the wide array of helpful products and technology available to them. At the Magnifying Center, they have embarked on a mission to serve the reading challenged by creating the nation's first retail chain stores dedicated to providing reading and learning solutions.

Minnesota Low Vision Store
1076 W County Road B
Roseville, MN. 55113
(800) 505-7318

The Minnesota Low Vision Store offers a wide selection of products designed to increase the quality of life. They'll make it easy to select the right product to meet your needs. Their store is the only one owned by a certified Optician and Ophthalmic Technologist with over 25 years of experience helping the visually impaired. They carry the most advanced technology and reading aids in all price ranges. They recommend that you call and consult with their staff to find the right product for you.

Mons International, Inc.
6595 Roswell Road, NE #224
Atlanta, GA 30328-3152
(770) 551-8455

Mons International is dedicated to helping the visually impaired by providing professional consultants, low vision job site evaluations, consumer support, exceptional service and high quality products. Mons International is a distributor of magnifiers, talking products, special lighting, Optelec CCTV systems and much, much more!

Ocutech, Inc.
3115 Academy Road
Durham, NC 27707-2652
(800) 326-6460

Ocutech, Inc. is the developer of the revolutionary VES-Autofocus Telescope and other innovative devices to enhance the vision of the partially sighted. All Ocutech low vision aids have been carefully designed to provide the highest level of optical and functional performance to make their use as effective and convenient as possible. Ocutech is committed to the needs of the visually impaired and supports its products with generous warranties and upgrade opportunities.

Premier Assistive Technology
R&D Lab
13102 Blaisdell Drive
DeWitt, MI 48820
(517) 668-8188

Premier Assistive Technology was founded in 1998 with a mission to provide assistive technology to persons with disabilities and give them access to today's technologically oriented world. In targeting those objectives, they are rapidly finding that their technologies are beginning to reach far beyond the boundaries that have historically been framed by the visually disabled software market to other emerging areas. They have developed a complete suite of products that address "reading and information transfer" needs for individuals with visual and mobility challenges. Applications for learning disabilities, general literacy and English as a second language can also be well-served using existing and emerging assistive technologies. All of their products are designed with simplicity in mind and feature both easy setup and "one-button" control for many key functions. The quality and overall capabilities of their products is equal to or better than any on the market today, with one major difference ... theirs cost much less. A driving force behind Premier Assistive's business philosophy is that assistive technology should be affordable for everyone!!!

Technologies for the Visually Impaired (TVI)
9 Nolan Court
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 724-4479

As a blind individual and an end-user of assistive technology, John D Panarese established Technologies for the Visually Impaired (TVI) in 1994 to offer the very best in adaptive and assistive technology. TVI offers the finest products available on the market today, and all devices for sale through TVI have been used extensively by John and other technology specialists. Whether you are a new-comer to speech and Braille technology, or if you are a veteran user, TVI can meet your individual needs.

Texthelp Systems Inc.
N. Ireland Technology Center
545 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(888) 248-0652

Texthelp Systems Ltd. is a software house based in Antrim, Northern Ireland. specializing in assistive technology, Texthelp has put to use this specialized knowledge to develop a range of software products designed to assist individuals to improve their reading and writing abilities.

Triumph Technology
1349 Pike Lake Drive
New Brighton, MN 55112
(651) 636-5184

Triumph Technology, your definitive resource for world class adaptive technology and desktop media production solutions. Triumph Technology offers:

Adaptive technology, products, training and consulting services

Audio production software and gear

Product Demonstrations

Audio production services

ViewPlus Technologies
1853 SW Airport Avenue
Corvallis, Oregon 97333
(541) 754-4002

Dr. John Gardner accepted a momentous challenge when he answered the call to develop innovative technology for people with disabilities. Dr. John Gardner was working as a distinguished physics professor at Oregon State University, when in 1988, a dramatic turn of events left him suddenly blind at age 48. During his arduous journey Dr. Gardner would endeavor to build ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. and pioneer adaptive products that now are used to assist blind people throughout the world. His first passion being physics, Dr. Gardner did not set out with the intention of launching a new career in access technology, but he could not ignore the needs of others who required these tools to advance in their own pursuits. With the introduction of the new ViewPlus embosser series powered by Tiger, ViewPlus had accomplished the goal of creating braille embossers that surpass all others in the industry on their versatility with features such as highly reduced noise, ease of use, and integrated braille software for Windows. ViewPlus is the leading innovator in the embossing industry and has become a true international presence with distributors throughout the globe.

Vision Technology
8501 Delport Drive
St. Louis, MO 63114
(800) 560-7226

Vision Technology creates innovative products for people with macular degeneration and other forms of low vision that help them read, write and live independently. They are committed to providing their customers with the highest quality, full featured video reading systems available at an affordable price.