But connecting with others who are living with low vision — and can understand what you’re going through — can help you feel less alone. Start by checking out these resources.
1. American Council of the Blind Peer Support and Mentoring
Founded in 1961, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) is an organization devoted to increasing independence and quality of life for people with vision impairment or blindness.
One of the ACB’s services is Peer Support and Mentoring, which can connect you to programs with like-minded individuals who can share their experiences with you and offer one-on-one support. A member of the ACB can also recommend groups you can join based on your personal circumstances and interests, including groups for artists, musicians, and book lovers; groups for people who are looking for help with assistive technology or workplace concerns; and groups that bring together specific demographics of people, such as the LGBTQ+ community, seniors, women, and families.
For more information, call (800) 424-8666 or email [email protected].
2. Eye2Eye Peer Support Program for Vision Loss
The Eye2Eye Peer Support Program for Vision Loss is a free, phone-based peer support service for people who are blind or visually impaired and their families. It was established in 2019 through Rutgers University.
The program will match you with trained support specialists who are also blind or visually impaired. They can offer emotional support and connect you with community and virtual support groups. This service is also available for people who speak Spanish.
Contact Eye2Eye by calling (833) 932-3931 or emailing [email protected]. You can also keep in touch through Facebook and X.
3. Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Groups
Since 2013 the Lighthouse Guild has been providing services dedicated to helping people who are visually impaired reach their goals.
These services include Tele-Support Groups, which are geared toward helping people cope with vision loss. They’re also tailored to specific demographics, with groups for adults, young adults, and teens, as well as groups specific to parents with vision loss and parents of children with vision loss.
To connect with a Lighthouse Guild Tele-Support Group, call (212) 769-6318 or fill out the contact form on their website.
4. National Federation of the Blind Groups
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has been working since 1940 to educate, connect, and empower members of the visually impaired community.
The NFB coordinates various groups designed to bring members together based on their identities or shared interests, such as crafting, cooking, parenting, and religious beliefs. Learn more about the groups you can join through the NFB’s Groups page.
The NFB Seniors Division, for example, hosts regular Zoom meetings for seniors living with blindness or vision impairment. There, members discuss relevant topics that are affecting their community. The groups meet anywhere from weekly to monthly. For more information on the various Zoom offerings, including links and dial-in info, check out the upcoming events, as well as the audiobook instructions for how to use Zoom, if needed.
5. Center for the Visually Impaired Support Groups
For 60 years, the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) has been helping people with vision loss adjust to life with limited or no sight and empowering them to maintain their independence.
CVI’s support groups are open to anyone who is visually impaired or newly experiencing vision loss. While based in Atlanta, some meetings are able to be joined by phone or are held over a conference call. They currently have one group specifically devoted to women and another to men. The women’s group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m ET. The men’s group meets the last Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m ET.
To learn more about these CVI telephone support groups, call (404) 875-9011 or email [email protected].
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