Dealing with vision loss covers a variety of vision issues. The journey of overcoming vision loss usually begins with an individual’s eye doctor. Finding help and support for every area involved with vision loss is a difficult task. One organization I have found to be extremely helpful is The American Foundation for the Blind. The organization has developed a family of websites that provides a comprehensive program assisting in every area of vision loss. One of the websites in the American Foundation for the Blind’s family of websites I found very helpful is called Vision Aware. The address of the website is www.visionaware.org.

The Vision Aware Website offers information in the following areas:

1. Up-to-date treatments and therapy for all types of eye conditions

2. Emotional support for people living with vision loss

3. Support for family members and friends of people affected with vision issues

4. Techniques for help with everyday living with vision loss

5. Work issues such as continuing or returning to work for individuals with a vision condition

6. Specific age related information for all age groups dealing with vision situations

Each of the areas contains a variety of sub-categories related to the topics listed. An individual can locate a host of information from a variety of sources regardless of the type of vision issue the person is facing. Below you will find examples of information found in each of the areas listed above.

EYE CONDITIONS:

A) Eye health
B) Guide to eye conditions

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:

A) Personal stories
B) How to handle the bad news
C) How to help others understand your vision issue
D) How to cope with vision loss

FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

A) Signs of vision loss
B) Family involvement
C) Communication tips
D) When to stop driving
E) Taking care of yourself

EVERYDAY LIVING:

A) Essential skills
B) Helpful products
C) Home modifications
D) Recreation and leisure
E) Transportation

WORK ISSUES:

A) Talking to your employer
B) Know your rights
C) Training resources
D) Workplace technology

SENIORS:

A) Age related vision loss
B) Life changes
C) Health and aging
D) Retirement living
E) Continuing to work


I enjoy the blog and message board sections of the website. Reading some of the blog postings helps to remind me that I am not the only person in the world facing a vision situation. In addition, I find new ideas that help me solve vision issues that occur during my everyday life as a visually impaired person. I recommend taking some time to read some of the blogs and message board postings found on the website.