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WICHITA AREA VISION RESOURCE GUIDEAN INFORMATION RESOURCEsponsored by Information Access Association, Inc. 106 West Douglas #615 Wichita, Kansas 67202
(316) 337-7701
This quick reference guide is a listing of resources or services which can improve the quality of life for a visually impaired person or for someone experiencing vision loss. The following information responds to the more commonly asked questions. We hope it will be of help to you in locating the services and products desired. This should not be considered a complete listing of available services, but simply a composite of services we feel are the most useful to know about. Please notify us of any changes or corrections. This guide is also available in braille upon request.
This service provides the reading of the Wichita Eagle newspaper, the Wichita Business Journal and more by telephone. Now persons unable to read print can have quick and easy access to timely publications, just by using a touch tone telephone. The telephone reader is a free service of the Information Access Association. To request a reader application or for more information, telephone our office at 337-7701.
WAVH generally meets the second Friday of the month, at the American Red Cross Building, 707 N. Main. Since 1961, WAVH has sponsored a Christmas dinner each year for visually impaired Wichitans. WAVH is an affiliate of the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the American Council of the Blind. For more information call 436-1200, category 3235.
The Wichita NFB Chapter meets on the first Saturday of the month at the Wichita Public Library, 223 S. Main, 3rd floor Board Room from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Transportation is available upon request. Telephone: 945-7570.
Located at 801 E. Lincoln, Envision offers a variety of employment opportunities and services for blind and visually impaired individuals. Envision has facilities in Wichita, Pittsburg and Kansas City, Kansas. In Wichita, telephone: 267-2244.
Located in the Vision Rehabilitation Center at 530 N. Lorraine, this retail outlet sells and assists in locating consumer products for visually impaired persons. Telephone: 681-0870.
Provides a wide range of advocacy and direct services to any individual with a disability. Attendant service is the only service for which there is a charge. The disability information & Referral Service for Sedgwick County is also available. Telephone: 942-6300.
The Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, offers recorded and braille books. Talking Books, recorded on cassette tape or flexible discs, are available on a wide variety of topics. For more information contact: the Wichita Public Library, Talking Book Department, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202. Telephone: 262-0611 or toll-free 1-800-362-2869.
Provides the daily reading of the Wichita Eagle and many magazines each month. Special radios that will receive the closed circuit broadcasts are provided at no cost for persons unable to read print. Telephone: 978-6600.
This is a state-wide radio reading service which can be heard in most parts of Kansas, except in the Wichita area. They may be heard using RealAudio on the Internet, even with a 14.4 modem, at: www.ku.edu/~reader. Telephone: 800-772-8898.
This State of Kansas agency provides rehabilitation and vocational training. In-home instruction on independent living skills and braille reading is also available. Telephone: 337-7230.
A program of comprehensive services for eligible blind veterans is available through the Dept of Veterans Affairs. Call for more information. Telephone: 651-3682.
Directs and supports programs in vision research and public education. The foundations main project is the operation of the Wichita Eye Bank, which provides corneal tissue for transplants to restore vision for patients suffering from corneal blindness. Telephone: 688-3937. RAINBOWS UNITED, INC.Offers programs which include education and child care for blind and visually impaired children, from infant through age 5. Telephone: 684-7060.
The Special Education Department of U.S.D. 259 provides education for blind and visually impaired students, pre-school through grade 12. Telephone: 833-4425.
The Resource Center for Independence provides a variety of assistive services to disabled students, faculty, staff and guests on campus. Telephone: 978-3309.
Provides specialized education for visually impaired children grades K-12 in a residential environment. Information on course curriculum is available from the school at 1100 State Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102. Telephone: (913) 281-3308.
The Wichita MTA offers curb to curb transportation at a reduced cost available to eligible persons. Qualified applicants may schedule rides by calling 265-7221.
A Kansas Photo ID card is available from any Driver's License Examination station. Cost is $4.00. Telephone: 682-7211.
Placards and handicapped license tags are available from the Sedgwick County Vehicle Tag Office. Applications may be requested by calling 383-7331.
Southwestern Bell Telephone offers an exemption from Directory Service charges to visually impaired persons. To request this service, Telephone: 800-246-4999. Request Form Number: SW8632.
Offers correspondence courses in braille and on cassette tape covering a wide range of topics. A catalogue is available from the school at 700 Elm St., Winetka, IL 60093. Telephone: 800-323-4238.
Kansas Specialty Dog Service, Inc. raises, trains and provides guide dogs for the legally blind. Telephone: (785) 325-2256.
Many described Hollywood movies and PBS programs on video are available by direct mail. Titles range from recent hits to thought-provoking documentaries. DVS home videos are also available for loan at many public libraries (including Wichita). Selected programs with DVS are broadcast on KPTS, Channel 8. Telephone: 800-333-1203.
Available at no cost upon request from Bible Alliance, Box 621, Bradenton, FL 34206. Telephone: (813) 748-3031.
A Web page which offers an extensive alphabetical index of internet resources for blind and visually impaired persons.
Provides high quality literature in braille for infants through middle school. All books are sold at or near cost to produce. Infant-toddler books are the print book with braille added. This enables both blind and sighted parents and siblings to read to a blind child. The blind child can also read them to a sighted, younger child. Telephone: (800) 777-8552.
Personal Computer Systems is operated and maintained by blind programmers and provides fast action, fun, and exciting computerized board and arcade games for the blind. In the board games, everything is described with all the necessary details as the game is being played and any information such as position or score may be obtained by hitting a key.
The BVA is an organization specifically established to promote the welfare of blinded veterans. All legally blind veterans are eligible for BVA's help whether they became blind during or after active duty. PUBLICATIONSThe following publications are not only informative, but entertaining and serve as valuable resources.
Published by the American Council of the Blind, offers current news and legislative happenings of interest to the visually impaired. Subscriptions are FREE in braille, large print, cassette tape and computer disk formats. Contact: ACB, 1155 15th St. N.W. #720, Washington, D.C. 20005. Telephone: (800) 424-8666.
Published by the National Federation of the Blind in braille, large print and cassette. To subscribe write: National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Telephone: (410) 659-9314.
Features articles written by visually impaired persons, product reviews and tips on living. Annual subscription $20 in braille, large print or cassette tape. Contact: Blind Skills, Inc. Box 5181, Salem, OR 97304. Telephone: (800) 860-4224.
Features articles from print publications, listings of new products and services for the visually impaired. A life-time subscription is FREE upon request. Available in braille and on cassette tape. Contact: Ziegler Magazine for the Blind, 80 8th Ave. #1304, New York, NY 10011. Telephone: (212) 242-0263. Please feel free to copy and distribute this listing. ( Revised January 1998.) E-mail us at accessnow@southwind.net Web site by Art Hadley January 25, 1998 |