Last updated 3 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
Nearly 12 million Americans live with blindness or low vision. For them and their families, finding the right government support can feel like navigating a maze. This guide breaks down the programs, benefits, and resources available across the United States.
From monthly disability payments to free audiobooks, specialized job training to tax breaks, the federal government and states offer extensive support. The key is knowing what exists and how to access it.
Understanding Legal Blindness
Most federal programs use a specific definition to determine who qualifies for services. The Social Security Administration sets the standard: you’re legally blind if your vision can’t be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye, or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less.
This definition opens doors to numerous assistance programs. But here’s an important point: even if your vision doesn’t meet this strict definition, you may still qualify for disability benefits if vision problems prevent you from working.
The Social Security Administration outlines its criteria in Section 2.00 of its Disability Evaluation guide. You can also find helpful information in their publication “If You’re Blind or Have Low Vision — How We Can Help”.
For Social Security Disability Insurance, your condition generally must last or be expected to last at least 12 months. But here’s where it gets interesting: for Supplemental Security Income based on blindness, the 12-month requirement doesn’t apply. This means people who suddenly lose their sight can qualify for SSI benefits more quickly.
Financial Assistance Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance for Blindness
SSDI provides monthly benefits to blind individuals who have a sufficient work history. You must have paid Social Security taxes over a certain period to qualify.
Work History Requirements
To be eligible, you need enough work credits from jobs where Social Security taxes were paid. But the system includes a special provision for blind individuals: you can earn work credits at any point during your working years. Credits earned after blindness begins can count toward qualification if you didn’t have enough credits when your sight loss started.
This flexibility recognizes that blindness can strike at any stage of a working life.
How to Apply
You can apply for SSDI benefits in several ways:
- Online at the Social Security Administration’s website
- By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- In person at a local Social Security office
When applying, gather comprehensive documentation including medical records, employment history, and financial records. Your local Social Security office reviews the application first. If you meet non-medical requirements, it goes to your state’s Disability Determination Services office for the medical determination.
Work Incentives and Special Rules
The Social Security Administration created several work incentives specifically for blind beneficiaries. These recognize the unique challenges this population faces and offer greater flexibility than rules for other disabilities.
Substantial Gainful Activity Limits
For 2025, blind SSDI beneficiaries can earn up to $2,700 per month without it affecting their benefits. Non-blind disabled workers face a much lower limit of $1,620 per month. This higher threshold gives blind individuals more opportunity to work while keeping their benefits.
Trial Work Period
This allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least nine months without affecting benefits, regardless of earnings. For 2025, a month counts toward the trial period if earnings exceed $1,160.
Disability Freeze
A special rule can benefit blind individuals who continue working but earn less because of their blindness. The Social Security Administration can exclude these lower-earning years when calculating future benefits. Since benefits are based on average lifetime earnings, excluding these years can result in higher future payments.
Special Rule for Age 55 and Older
Different work rules apply to blind SSDI beneficiaries who are 55 or older. If they’re doing work requiring lower skill than before age 55 or before becoming blind, benefits get suspended (not terminated) if earnings exceed the limit. Benefits can restart for any month earnings fall below this limit.
More details are available in the Social Security Red Book and the 2025 COLA factsheet.
Key SSDI Figures for Blind Individuals (2025)
| Category | Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| SGA Limit (Blind) | $2,700 |
| SGA Limit (Non-Blind Disabled) | $1,620 |
| Trial Work Period Monthly Earnings | $1,160 |
Supplemental Security Income for Blindness
SSI provides monthly payments to blind adults and children with limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, it doesn’t require a work history.
Financial Eligibility
Beyond meeting the medical criteria for blindness, SSI has strict income and resource limits. For 2024 and 2025, resource limits are $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Countable resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Your home and usually one vehicle don’t count.
You must also be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, live in the United States, not reside in a public institution, and apply for any other benefits you might be eligible for.
Application Process
The SSI application process mirrors SSDI:
- Online through the SSA website
- By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
- In person at a local Social Security office
Presumptive Blindness Payments
If your SSI application for blindness appears likely to be approved based on initial evidence, you may receive “Presumptive Blindness” payments for up to six months while the Social Security Administration processes your claim. This provides immediate financial assistance during what can be a lengthy determination process.
Work Incentives
SSI includes specific work incentives for blind beneficiaries. The Substantial Gainful Activity rules that apply to other disability applicants don’t apply to blind SSI applicants. This means earnings don’t automatically disqualify you from SSI if they exceed a certain amount.
However, earnings do affect your SSI payment amount. For blind individuals receiving SSI, special “Blind Work Expenses” can be deducted from gross earnings when calculating countable income. These are work-related expenses you pay that are necessary for employment, such as transportation costs, guide dog expenses, or adaptive equipment.
These deductions let blind individuals keep more of their SSI payment while working, or work and earn more before their SSI payment drops to zero.
Key SSI Figures (2025)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Benefit Rate – Individual | $967/month |
| Federal Benefit Rate – Couple | $1,450/month |
| Resource Limit – Individual | $2,000 total |
| Resource Limit – Couple | $3,000 total |
| Student Earned Income Exclusion – Monthly | $2,350 |
| Student Earned Income Exclusion – Annual | $9,460 |
Social Security Administration Special Services
The Social Security Administration provides several accommodations to ensure people with visual impairments can access information and manage their benefits effectively.
Accessible Communication Options
Beneficiaries can choose to receive notices and communications in various formats:
- Standard print by mail
- Standard print by certified mail
- Standard print with follow-up phone call
- Braille notice (with standard print copy)
- Microsoft Word file on CD (with standard print copy)
- Audio CD (with standard print copy)
- Large print (18-point font) notice (with standard print copy)
You can select or change your preferred format by contacting the Social Security Administration or through your secure my Social Security account.
The Red Book Guide
The Social Security Administration publishes “The Red Book – A Summary Guide to Employment Supports” for individuals with disabilities. This comprehensive guide explains various work incentives available under SSDI and SSI programs, plus information about employment supports like the Ticket to Work program.
The Red Book is updated annually to reflect changes in figures like SGA amounts, Trial Work Period thresholds, and Federal Benefit Rates.
State Supplementary Payments
Some states offer State Supplementary Payments to augment federal SSI benefits. The amount varies widely by state. In states that provide SSP, it’s often administered by the Social Security Administration, so qualifying for federal SSI may automatically qualify you for the state payment.
California, for example, has an SSP program detailed on their SSI/SSP information page. Contact your local Social Security office or state Department of Human Services to find out if your state offers SSP.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Social Security and SSI benefits are typically adjusted annually to protect against inflation. The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment is 2.5 percent. This increase applies to Social Security benefits starting with December 2024 payments (received in January 2025) and SSI payments for January 2025.
COLAs are calculated based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. For the latest COLA information, visit the Social Security website.
Healthcare Coverage
Medicare for Individuals with Disabilities
Medicare provides federal health insurance primarily for people 65 or older, but also covers younger individuals with qualifying disabilities who receive SSDI benefits.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Individuals under 65 generally become eligible for Medicare after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months. This “24-month waiting period” creates a potential coverage gap that might need to be managed through COBRA, a private Health Insurance Marketplace plan, or Medicaid.
One important exception: individuals diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) get Medicare coverage in the same month their Social Security disability benefits start, with no waiting period.
Enrollment is typically automatic. You’ll receive a welcome package, including your Medicare card, about three months before coverage begins.
Medicare has different parts. Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
Part B (Medical Insurance) covers services from doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. Part B requires a monthly premium.
More information on Medicare eligibility is available at Medicare.gov, and the Social Security Administration provides details on Medicare for people with disabilities.
Medicare Coverage While Working
Medicare includes provisions for beneficiaries who return to work. An SSDI beneficiary who returns to work can generally continue Medicare coverage for at least 8½ years after their Trial Work Period ends, as long as they still meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of having a disabling impairment.
After premium-free Medicare coverage ends, individuals who are under 65, still have a disabling impairment, and lost Medicare due to work earnings may be able to purchase Medicare coverage.
Medicaid for Individuals with Blindness or Disabilities
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans. Because states administer Medicaid under federal guidelines, eligibility rules and covered services vary by state.
General Eligibility Pathways
Several ways exist for blind individuals to qualify for Medicaid:
SSI-Linked Medicaid: In many states, individuals eligible for SSI automatically qualify for Medicaid. Some states use their own eligibility criteria that can be more restrictive than SSI criteria, but they still largely base their methodologies on SSI rules.
MAGI Exemptions: The Affordable Care Act introduced Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology for determining income eligibility. However, individuals whose Medicaid eligibility is based on being blind or disabled are generally exempt from MAGI-based income counting rules. Their financial eligibility is typically determined using SSI program income methodologies.
Medically Needy Programs: Some states have “medically needy” or “spend-down” programs for individuals with too much income to qualify for Medicaid under other rules but who have significant medical expenses. They may “spend down” their income by incurring medical bills.
Generally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state where you’re applying and a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Medicaid Buy-In Programs for Workers with Disabilities
Many states have established Medicaid Buy-In programs recognizing that fear of losing health coverage can be a significant employment barrier. These programs allow working individuals with disabilities whose earnings exceed traditional Medicaid income limits to “buy into” Medicaid coverage, often by paying a monthly premium.
State-Specific Examples
North Carolina: The Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities program provides full Medicaid coverage for workers with disabilities aged 16 through 64. Unearned income generally can’t exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. There may be a $50 annual enrollment fee, and those with countable incomes above 200% FPL may pay a monthly premium. The resource limit is $25,728. Details are at North Carolina Medicaid.
Texas: Individuals receiving SSI can automatically get Medicaid. For those with disabilities who work and have higher incomes, Texas offers the Medicaid Buy-In for Adults program. Information is available through Texas Health and Human Services.
Ohio: Ohio offers Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid. For working Ohioans with disabilities, the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities program is an option. Ohio Medicaid resources can be found at Ohio Medicaid.
General Medicaid eligibility policy information is available from the federal Medicaid website.
Education and Early Intervention
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures children with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, have access to Free Appropriate Public Education and related services.
Core Principles
IDEA is built on several core principles:
Free Appropriate Public Education: All eligible children with disabilities, typically from age 3 through 21, are entitled to FAPE. Public schools must provide specially designed instruction and related services to meet each child’s unique needs, at no cost to parents.
Least Restrictive Environment: Children with disabilities must be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal from regular educational environments should only occur when the disability’s nature or severity means education in regular classes with supplementary aids and services can’t be achieved satisfactorily.
Early Intervention: IDEA Part C authorizes federal grants to states for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth until age three, outlined in an Individualized Family Service Plan.
Special Education Services: IDEA Part B provides special education and related services for children and youth with disabilities ages 3 through 21.
Under IDEA, “visual impairment including blindness” is defined as an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Students with visual impairments are entitled to specialized instruction, materials, and supports including Braille instruction, large print materials, audiobooks, assistive technology, and Orientation and Mobility training.
The U.S. Department of Education provides extensive IDEA information at their IDEA website. The APH ConnectCenter offers guidance for parents at their IDEA resource page.
Individualized Education Programs
The Individualized Education Program is a legally binding written document developed for each public school child eligible for special education under IDEA. The IEP is created by a team including the child’s parents, at least one regular education teacher, at least one special education teacher, a local educational agency representative, and when appropriate, the child themselves.
Key Components for Blind and Low Vision Students
Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: This describes the child’s current abilities, including how their visual impairment affects involvement and progress in general education curriculum, as well as functional skills, communication abilities, social-emotional development, and behavior.
Measurable Annual Goals: The IEP must include measurable annual goals designed to meet the child’s needs resulting from the disability. For students with visual impairments, these often address academic subjects and areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum, which includes compensatory academics (including Braille if appropriate), Orientation and Mobility, social interaction skills, independent living skills, recreation and leisure skills, career education, assistive technology use, and visual efficiency skills.
Special Education and Related Services: The IEP specifies special education services and related services like O&M, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling. This includes identifying necessary personnel, such as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and an O&M specialist.
Supplementary Aids and Services: These are aids, services, and other supports provided in regular education classes or other settings to enable children with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled children. This can include assistive technology, adapted materials, and support personnel.
Evaluation and Assessment: The IEP process includes regular evaluation. A full individual evaluation must be conducted at least every three years to determine continued eligibility and educational needs. For students with visual impairments, this should include a functional vision assessment, learning media assessment, and O&M assessment.
Transition Goals for Post-Secondary Education and Employment
Beginning no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, the IEP must include appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and independent living skills.
For students who are blind or have low vision, these transition goals are particularly important and may focus on:
- Self-advocacy: learning to explain their vision loss and accommodation needs
- Accessing materials independently using assistive technology
- Time management and organizational skills
- Orientation and mobility skills for navigating college campuses or workplaces
- Independent living skills
- Understanding their rights under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act
The APH ConnectCenter provides transition IEP goal guides at their transition resource page. Perkins School for the Blind offers resources like “How to Develop an Effective IEP”.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Higher Education
Students with visual impairments are eligible for federal student aid programs and can apply for numerous private scholarships.
Federal Student Aid
The primary source of federal student aid is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Students can apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study funds by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) available at StudentAid.gov.
For students with intellectual disabilities who may also have visual impairments, specific provisions exist. If enrolled in an approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program, these students may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work-Study funds.
CTP programs support students with intellectual disabilities in continuing academic, career, and independent living instruction to prepare for gainful employment. More information on aid for students with intellectual disabilities can be found at StudentAid.gov.
Scholarships from Private Organizations and Foundations
Numerous private organizations and foundations offer scholarships specifically for students who are blind or have low vision. These can help cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.
Examples of National Scholarships for Blind/Visually Impaired Students
| Organization Name | Scholarship Name/Program | Brief Description/Eligibility | Website URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Council of the Blind (ACB) | ACB Scholarship Program | For entering freshmen, undergraduate, and graduate students, and those attending technical college. Ranges $2,000-$7,500. | ACB Scholarships |
| Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) | Ferrell Scholarship | For legally blind students preparing for a career in education/rehabilitation of blind/visually impaired individuals. | AER Scholarships |
| Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) | Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program & Thomas H. Miller Awards | For dependent children and spouses of blind veterans (service or non-service connected). | BVA Scholarships |
| Christian Record Services for the Blind | Scholarship Program | For legally blind undergraduate students in all areas of study. | Christian Record Scholarships |
| Lighthouse Guild | Scholarship Program | For college-bound high school seniors who are legally blind. | Lighthouse Guild Scholarships |
| Learning Ally | Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards (SAA) / Marion Huber Learning Through Listening (LTL) Awards | SAA for college seniors/grad students (blind/VI). LTL for HS seniors (learning disabled). | Learning Ally Awards |
Students are encouraged to research additional scholarship opportunities through online databases, their state’s vocational rehabilitation agency, and college financial aid offices.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, particularly Title I, serves as the foundational legislation authorizing federal grants to states for comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind.
The Act emphasizes services tailored to the unique needs of individuals with blindness, including:
- Comprehensive adjustment to blindness services: intensive training to acquire skills and coping strategies
- Travel training: instruction in using a white cane or guide dog for safe and independent mobility
- Adaptive methods of reading and writing: including sufficient Braille instruction to achieve literacy levels required for vocational goals
- Assistive technology: assessment, procurement, and training in devices that enhance functional capabilities
The Social Security Act includes provisions for the Commissioner of Social Security to reimburse state VR agencies for costs of services provided to Social Security beneficiaries when those services result in returning to substantial gainful activity. A U.S. Code reference for this provision is available at U.S. Code.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Each state and U.S. territory operates a Vocational Rehabilitation agency responsible for delivering services mandated by the Rehabilitation Act. Some states have specific agencies or divisions dedicated to serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
For instance, the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services has an Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, and North Carolina has a Division of Services for the Blind within its Department of Health and Human Services.
Overview of Services
State VR agencies work with eligible individuals to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment. The IPE is a written plan developed in partnership with the individual that outlines their employment goal and specific VR services that will be provided.
Common VR services include:
Assessment: Vocational, medical, psychological, and other assessments to determine eligibility and VR needs. This can include evaluations of assistive technology needs and O&M skills.
Counseling and Guidance: Career counseling, vocational guidance, and support throughout the rehabilitation process.
Training: Support for postsecondary education, vocational or technical training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and other job readiness training.
Assistive Technology: Provision of assistive technology devices and services, including assessment, customization, repair, and training.
Orientation and Mobility Training: Instruction to travel safely and independently.
Job-Related Services: Job search assistance, job placement services, job coaching, and support for job retention.
Supported Employment Services: For individuals with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support services to maintain employment.
Transition Services: Pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities moving from school to postsecondary education or employment.
How to Access VR Services
Individuals seeking VR services should contact their state’s VR agency. General contact information for state VR agencies can be found through the Rehabilitation Services Administration website.
Eligibility for VR services generally requires that an individual:
- Has a physical or mental impairment (including blindness or visual impairment)
- The impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment
- The individual requires VR services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment
- The individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from VR services
While core VR services like assessment, counseling, and job placement are typically provided at no cost, some services may be subject to a financial needs test or require exploring comparable benefits first.
Employment Support and Resources
Beyond state VR programs, various other resources and legal protections exist to support job seekers with visual impairments.
Job Search Platforms and Networks
Several online platforms and networks are dedicated to or inclusive of job seekers with disabilities:
CareerOneStop: Hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor, this government website allows users to search job banks in every state and explore labor market information.
Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN): EARN helps employers recruit and retain employees with disabilities and connects job seekers with employers and service providers.
Workforce Recruitment Program: The WRP connects federal and private sector employers with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities for internships and permanent jobs.
DisabledPerson.Com: This platform aims to connect individuals with disabilities with employers who are proactive in hiring them.
PRIDE Industries: This organization offers job training, skills assessment, resume preparation, and job placement assistance for people with disabilities. More information is at PRIDE Industries.
Workplace Accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment. Under the ADA, employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship.
For individuals with visual impairments, common accommodations might include:
- Screen reader software (e.g., JAWS, NVDA)
- Screen magnification software
- Braille displays and embossers
- Large print materials
- Audio recordings of printed materials
- Modified lighting
- Optical character recognition (OCR) systems
- Qualified readers or note-takers
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. JAN provides individualized worksite accommodation solutions, technical assistance regarding the ADA, and information on the employability of people with disabilities.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
The Office of Disability Employment Policy, located within the U.S. Department of Labor, is a non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against job applicants or employees because of disability, among other protected characteristics. This includes enforcing the employment provisions of the ADA. Individuals who believe they have experienced employment discrimination can file a charge with the EEOC.
Independent Living and Community Support
Orientation and Mobility Training
Orientation and Mobility is a specialized professional discipline dedicated to teaching individuals with blindness or low vision the skills and concepts needed to travel safely, efficiently, and independently in their environment.
What It Is and Skills Taught
“Orientation” refers to the ability to know where one is in space and where one wants to go. “Mobility” refers to the ability to move safely, effectively, and efficiently from one place to another. Certified O&M Specialists work with individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults.
Key skills taught in O&M training include:
Sensory Awareness: Learning to use all remaining senses (hearing, touch, smell, and any remaining vision) to gather information about the environment.
Concept Development: Understanding spatial concepts, environmental layouts, and sense of direction.
Self-Protective Techniques: Methods to protect the body while moving, especially in unfamiliar indoor environments.
Human Guide Techniques: Learning how to safely and effectively walk with a sighted person.
Long Cane Skills: Comprehensive instruction in using a long cane as a tool to detect obstacles, drop-offs, and changes in surface texture.
Street Crossing: Analyzing intersections, understanding traffic patterns and signals, and employing safe crossing strategies.
Route Travel: Planning and following routes in familiar and unfamiliar areas, both indoors and outdoors.
Use of Public Transportation: Learning to access and use buses, subways, trains, and other forms of public transit.
Problem-Solving: Developing strategies to reorient if lost or to adapt to unexpected changes in the environment.
Use of Technology: Incorporating accessible GPS devices, smartphone apps, or other technologies that aid orientation and travel.
Finding Certified O&M Specialists
O&M instruction is typically provided one-to-one and can occur in various settings, including the individual’s home, school, workplace, or community, or at a specialized rehabilitation center.
Professionals who provide O&M instruction are often certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). O&M services are often provided through state vocational rehabilitation agencies, educational systems, and private organizations serving individuals with visual impairments.
For example, World Services for the Blind offers O&M training as part of its programs. The APH ConnectCenter’s VisionAware program provides extensive information on O&M at their VisionAware website.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology encompasses any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. For individuals with blindness or low vision, AT is often essential for accessing information, communication, education, employment, and daily living activities.
Importance and Types of AT for Visual Impairments
AT plays a crucial role in leveling the playing field, allowing individuals with visual impairments to perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. The range of AT is vast and can be categorized based on function or the type of vision loss it addresses.
For Low Vision:
- Magnifiers: Optical magnifiers, electronic video magnifiers that enlarge print and objects on a screen
- Large Print Materials: Books, keyboards, and other materials with enlarged text
- Screen Magnification Software: Software like ZoomText or built-in operating system features that enlarge portions of a computer or mobile device screen
- High-Contrast Settings: Adjustments to displays to make text and images easier to see
- Telescopes (Monoculars): For viewing distant objects like signs or presentations
For Blindness:
- Screen Reader Software: Software like JAWS, NVDA (a free option), or VoiceOver (built into Apple products) that reads aloud computer or mobile device screen content
- Refreshable Braille Displays: Devices that connect to computers or mobile devices and provide tactile Braille output of screen content
- Braille Writers and Notetakers: Devices for producing hardcopy Braille or taking electronic Braille notes
- Scanners with Optical Character Recognition: Devices and software that scan printed documents and convert them into accessible electronic text
- Audiobooks and Players: Access to recorded books and magazines
- Talking Devices: Clocks, calculators, medical devices, and kitchen appliances that provide audible output
General/Cross-Cutting:
- Smartphones and Tablets: With built-in accessibility features and specialized apps for navigation, object identification, reading, etc.
- Wearable Technology: Devices that can provide information audibly or tactilely
National Programs
iCanConnect (National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program): This federal program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, provides free distance communication technology and training to low-income individuals who have significant combined hearing and vision loss.
Equipment can include smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, Braille displays, and alerting devices. Eligibility is based on federal disability and income guidelines. The main website for iCanConnect is at iCanConnect.org, and FCC information is at their NDBEDP page.
State Assistive Technology Act Programs
Under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, every U.S. state and territory receives federal funding to support a statewide AT program. These programs help people with disabilities of all ages access and acquire needed AT.
Services provided by State AT Act Programs typically include:
- Device Demonstration Centers: Opportunities to see, touch, and try out various AT devices
- Short-Term Device Loans: Allowing individuals to borrow devices for limited time to try them before purchasing
- Device Reutilization Programs: Facilitating exchange, repair, or refurbishment and redistribution of used AT devices at lower costs
- State Financing Activities: Assistance in obtaining funding for AT, including low-interest loan programs, grants, or information about other funding sources
- Information and Referral: Providing information about AT devices, services, and funding options
- Training and Technical Assistance: Offering training to individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and employers on AT
- Public Awareness: Educating the public about AT benefits
To find your state’s AT Act Program, visit the AT3 Center website.
Other Resources
Many other organizations provide information, funding assistance, or training related to AT:
Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology Fund: May provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software for legally blind U.S. residents who meet income requirements. Their website is at Blind Citizens AT Fund.
Hadley: Offers a wide range of free online workshops and resources on using technology, including screen readers, mobile devices, and everyday tech, for individuals with visual impairments. Their website is Hadley.edu.
American Foundation for the Blind: Provides information on AT products, policy, and research. Their website is AFB.org.
Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living are community-based, non-residential, private non-profit organizations designed and operated by individuals with disabilities. CILs are founded on the philosophy of independent living, which posits that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs.
Core Services
CILs provide five core services, typically free of charge, to individuals with any type of disability, of any age:
Information and Referral: Providing individuals with disabilities, their families, and other interested parties with information about the CIL’s services, as well as referrals to other programs, services, and resources in the community.
Peer Support: Connecting individuals with disabilities to peer mentors – other individuals with disabilities who have common life experiences. Peer mentors can share knowledge, provide emotional support, and serve as role models.
Independent Living Skills Training: Offering individualized or group training to develop skills needed to live more independently. This can cover budgeting and financial management, cooking, household management, accessing transportation, communication skills, and self-advocacy.
Individual and Systems Advocacy: Assisting individuals in advocating for their rights and access to services. CILs also engage in systems advocacy to address broader issues affecting the disability community.
Transition Services: Supporting individuals with disabilities in transitioning from institutional settings to community-based living. This also includes assisting youth with disabilities as they transition from school to adult life.
A key aspect of CILs is their peer-driven model. The majority of staff and board members at CILs are people with disabilities. This ensures services are provided from a perspective of shared experience and understanding.
To find a CIL in a specific area, individuals can consult the directory provided by the National Council on Independent Living. State-specific information is also available, such as Massachusetts CIL information.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, administered by the Library of Congress, provides a free library program of Braille and recorded materials to eligible borrowers in the United States.
Free Library Services
NLS provides books and magazines in Braille and audio formats. These materials are circulated to eligible patrons through a national network of cooperating regional and subregional libraries. Materials are delivered directly to patrons through the mail free of charge, or they can be downloaded digitally through services like BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download).
NLS also provides the necessary playback equipment for its audio materials at no cost.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Eligibility for NLS services is broad and includes individuals who have a temporary or permanent visual or physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding standard printed materials. This includes:
- Blind persons whose visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees
- Other persons with visual disabilities whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by a competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material
- Persons with physical limitations certified by a competent authority as unable to read or use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations
- Persons with reading disabilities from organic dysfunction certified by a competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from an organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner
Applications for NLS service are available online from the NLS website or through local cooperating network libraries. For example, the Arkansas State Library’s Library for the Blind and Print Disabled has contact information and application details at their LBPD page.
Tax Benefits for Individuals with Blindness
Additional Standard Deduction for Blindness
Taxpayers who are legally blind may be eligible for an additional amount to be added to their standard deduction on their federal income tax return. This can reduce their taxable income and tax liability.
Eligibility and Amounts
An individual is allowed an additional standard deduction if they are considered blind on the last day of the tax year. This benefit is available regardless of age and applies whether the taxpayer is partially or totally blind according to the IRS definition.
For tax year 2024, the additional standard deduction amount for blindness is:
- $1,950 if the taxpayer’s filing status is Single or Head of Household
- $1,550 if the taxpayer’s filing status is Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Qualifying Surviving Spouse
This additional amount for blindness is added to the taxpayer’s basic standard deduction. If the taxpayer is also age 65 or older, they are entitled to another additional standard deduction amount for age, separate from and in addition to the amount for blindness.
How to Claim on Tax Forms
To claim the additional standard deduction for blindness, the taxpayer must check the appropriate box for blindness on their federal income tax return, which is Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, or Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors.
IRS Guidelines and Definitions
The Internal Revenue Service provides specific guidelines and definitions related to the additional standard deduction for blindness in IRS Publication 501, “Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.”
According to Publication 501, to meet the IRS definition of blindness for tax purposes, an individual must be either totally blind or meet specific criteria for partial blindness. If an individual is not totally blind, they must obtain a certified statement from an eye doctor stating that either:
- They cannot see better than 20/200 in their better eye even with glasses or contact lenses, OR
- Their field of vision is 20 degrees or less
If the eye doctor certifies that the eye condition is not likely to improve beyond these limits, the taxpayer can keep this statement with their records and will not need to obtain a new letter each year.
Taxpayers can find IRS Tax Topic 551 for more information on this tax provision.
Standard Deduction Amounts for Blind Individuals (Tax Year 2024)
This table illustrates how the additional amounts for blindness and age increase the total standard deduction:
| Filing Status | Basic Standard Deduction (2024) | Additional for Blindness (per person) | Additional for Age 65+ (per person) | Example: Total if Single, Blind, Under 65 | Example: Total if MFJ, One Spouse Blind & 65+, Other Under 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $14,600 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $16,550 ($14,600 + $1,950) | N/A |
| Head of Household | $21,900 | $1,950 | $1,950 | $23,850 ($21,900 + $1,950) | N/A |
| Married Filing Jointly | $29,200 | $1,550 | $1,550 | N/A | $32,300 ($29,200 + $1,550 + $1,550) |
| Qualifying Surviving Spouse | $29,200 | $1,550 | $1,550 | N/A | N/A |
| Married Filing Separately | $14,600 | $1,550 | $1,550 | $16,150 ($14,600 + $1,550) | N/A |
Note: For Married Filing Separately, a taxpayer can claim an additional standard deduction for their spouse only if the spouse had no gross income, is not filing a return, and cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
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