If you are blind or have a visual impairment, vision rehabilitation services can vastly improve your quality of life and help you live more independently. There are many different kinds of vision rehabilitation services available in addition to the eye care provided by your family doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist. Many of these can be provided at no cost to you if you are legally blind or low-income.

Vision rehabilitation services include:

• Communication skills: reading, writing, Braille and assistive computer technology.
• Counseling: to help you, your spouse, family members and friends adjust to your vision loss.
• Independent living and personal management skills: home management, home modifications, personal self-care, financial management.
• Occupational therapy.
• Independent movement and travel skills: orientation and mobility training.
• Low vision evaluation and training with low vision devices.
• Vocational evaluation and training.

The following organizations provide the vision rehabilitation services described above, and many offer additional special programs for blind and visually impaired seniors. These organizations will send trained professionals to your home to assess your needs and develop a plan of care, which might include visits to their site for specialized training. The organizations are members of the New York City Coalition on Aging and Vision (website under construction).

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you need not resign yourself to diminished quality of life. It’s important to get good, comprehensive testing, to use hearing aids that are right for you and to keep abreast of advances in technology.

Hearing loss services include:

• Comprehensive hearing evaluations.
• Cochlear implants.
• Speech and language therapy.
• Assistive devices (e.g. audio loops).
• Training on hearing aids, assistive devices.
• Supportive workshops.
• Recreational/social activities.

The following organizations are dedicated to helping people with hearing loss and deafness.