CLASSIFIEDS and RESOURCES AVAILABLE
White Cane Law of Ohio: 4511.47 Right-of-way of blind person. (A) As used in this section "blind person" or "blind pedestrian" means a person having not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses or visual acuity greater than 20/200 but with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees. The driver of every vehicle shall yield the right of way to every blind pedestrian guided by a guide dog, or carrying a cane which is predominantly white or
metallic in color, with or without a red tip. (B) No person, other than a blind person, while on any public highway, street, alley, or other public thoroughfare shall carry a white or metallic cane with or without a red tip. (C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
​Is there a White Cane law for the State of Ohio?
SGO CLASSIFIED SECTION:
Camp Health Officer
Wanted: Health Officer for a very small camp for children who are blind or have low vision. RN, LPN, EMT, First Responder preferred, training may be available. Job includes a rustic canoeing/camping trip on the Manistee River. Major duties include medication distribution to campers and staff, first aid, managing emergencies, and documentation. Pay commensurate with level of certification and experience. For more information, e-mail Gwen Botting, Executive Director, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind or call 616-755-2221or go to www.oubmichigan.org. Applications can be found on the website.
Camp Office Assistant
Wanted: Office Assistant for a very small camp for children who are blind or have low vision. Must have high school diploma and be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Added plus if Lifeguard Certified or willing to obtain lifeguard training (provided). Major responsibilities include managing office files, including employee and camper records, handling camper registrations, and other duties as assigned, such as procuring supplies. Pay commensurate with level of certification and experience. For more information, e-mail Gwen Botting, Executive Director, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind or call 616-755-2221 or go to www.oubmichigan.org. Applications can be found on the website.
Female Camp Counselor
Wanted: Female Camp Counselor for a very small camp for children who are blind or have low vision. Must have high school diploma and be at least 18 years old. Valid driver’s license a plus. Added plus if Lifeguard Certified or willing to obtain lifeguard training (provided). Major responsibilities include supervising campers through all aspects of camp life, from getting up in the morning through evening and nighttime needs. Assist with programming when requested, supervise campers on field trips, and focus on helping campers learn skills of independence and still have fun at camp! Persons with and without visual disabilities are encouraged to apply. Pay commensurate with level of certification and experience. For more information, e-mail Gwen Botting, Executive Director, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind or call 616-755-2221 or go to www.oubmichigan.org. Applications can be found on the website.
Visually Impaired & Blind Resources
American Council of the Blind Ohio (ACBO)
Dedicated to improving the quality and equality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired. Click to find a local chapter in your area and find local resources.
3805 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(800) 835-2226 or (614) 221-6688
www.acbohio.org
Association of Blind Citizens
Their assistive technology fund provides funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software to help legally blind residents of the U.S.
PO Box 246, Holbrook, Massachusetts 02343
(781) 961-1023 or (781) 654-2000
www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm
Bookshare
Has the world’s largest online digital library of accessible books for individuals with print disabilities. They operate under an exception to U.S. copyright law, allowing copyrighted digital books to be made available to people with qualifying disabilities. Individuals must register as members and provide proof of disability. Members can download books, textbooks and newspapers and then read the material using adaptive technology. This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education.
480 South California Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94306
(650) 352-0198
www.bookshare.org
Braille Reading Pals Club Early Literacy Program
Encourages and rewards parents for reading daily with their blind or low vision children ages 0 to 7 who are not yet reading. This free two-month program takes place twice a year.
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
(410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org
Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI)
BSVI is one branch of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, the state agency that helps Ohioans ages 14 and older with disabilities to get and keep jobs. Additionally, BSVI's Independent Living Older Blind Program assists Ohioans age 55 and older who want to remain in their residence but who are dealing with visual difficulties maintaining the home and independence. OOD/BSVI helps young people through out Ohio with disabilites ages 14 to 22 transition from the classroom to a workplace or college. They work with families and schools to help youth become independent. Their website has information about pursuing education beyond high school and also how to obtain a job. Referral may be initiated by the local school district, the student, a family member or other community resource. Services may include counseling and guidance, vocational skills training, job placement assistance and help affording assistive technology.
150 East Campus View Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(800) 282-4536 or (614) 995-1161 TTY
www.ood.ohio.gov
Capabilities Inc.
Capabilities has been serving Ohioans since 1997 assisting with employment opportunities, drivers training, vocational rehabilitation, and day rehabilitations. This online extension of Capabilities provides you with information about our services, employees, and locations through the navigation bar above. 5241 Southwyck Blvd. Suite 108 Toledo, OH 43614 Phone: (419)867-8367(419)867-8367
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML)
They provide CDs, books on tape, and DVDs (including descriptive and closed caption) for circulation.
96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-2275
www.columbuslibrary.org
Disability Rights Ohio (formerly Ohio Legal Rights Services-OLRS)
Helps people throughout Ohio who are developmentally disabled, mentally ill or have other physical and mental impairments. The intake department can be contacted toll-free for confidential services. They can assist with cases of abuse, neglect, discrimination, public assistance denials and other services. Their Client Assistance Program (CAP) helps people applying for or receiving services from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired. Their website has a lot of information about the following issues and local agencies that can help.
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Getting School Special Education Services
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Getting School Therapies and Transportation
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Early Intervention Developmental Evaluations
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Assistive Technology
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Service Animals
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Jobs & Colleges
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Disability Laws & Future Planning
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Special Transportation Resources
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Deaf & Hard of Hearing
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Blind & Low Vision
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Kinship Care
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Respite Care
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Tax Preparation
Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) Visually Impaired Program
Provides services for students in Delaware, Franklin and Union counties who are visually impaired. They instruct students and teachers about Braille, the use of specialized equipment and adaptations, activities of daily living and reader services. They also help with IEP consultations and assess student skills. Click for a program brochure.
2080 Citygate Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 445-3750
www.escofcentralohio.org
Flying Blind
Flying Blind, LLC's founder, Mr. Larry L. Lewis, Jr., has over fifteen years of practical experience serving the Adaptive Technology Industry in a variety of capacities which include domestic and international product management and sales management roles with companies that have rich histories in developing speech and Braille solutions for the Adaptive Technology Industry.
Mr. Lewis is congenitally blind and attributes his successes to Braille literacy, which has enabled him to develop the skill sets necessary to start his own company, a boyhood dream which finally became a reality in May of 2006.
Frogtown Low Vision Support Group
Provides support and resources to people who are visually impaired and/or blind. They have been making a difference in our community for over 10 years. We offer hope, laughter, friendship and information to our group. We listen and let the vision impaired along with their spouses and caretakers know that they are not alone. For more information on Frogtown Low Vision please go to frogtownvision.org or email at frogtowngroup2020@sbcgolbal.net
iCan Connect
iCanConnect provides distance communication technologies, training and resources to income-eligible people with significant combined hearing and vision loss. If you have significant combined vision and hearing loss and meet federal income guidelines (detailed in the income chart at the bottom of this page), you are eligible. Use the pulldown menu below to contact your state's iCanConnect representative and begin the application process. In many cases, you can download an application from the iCanConnect page for your state. Located in the Columbus Speech and Hearing building or call 800-825-4595 or TTY 888-320-2656
InfantSEE
Provides free eye exams for infants between 6 and 12 months of age regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage. Call to find a local participating optometrist.
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Toll-free: (888) 396-3937
www.infantsee.org
Magnifier & More
Magnifiers & More is committed to helping those with a vision impairment continue to maintain an independent lifestyle. We hope this website will help with your everyday activities of living. This website is dedicated in loving memory to our Grandmother, Margaret K. Allen, who had Macular Degeneration. We specialize in such products as: Hand Held Magnifiers, Stand Magnifiers, Head Borne Magnifiers, Sheet Magnifiers, Lighted Magnifiers, CCTV Reading Machines, Portable Video Magnifiers, Large Print Items, Talking Items, Magnifying Mirrors, Braille Equipment and More…
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
Represents a national support network of parents committed to providing support to parents of children who have visual impairments. They have local chapters as well. Visit their website for useful resources and to find support from local parents.
Ohio Center for Deafblind Education
University of Dayton
School of Education and Health Sciences Grant Center
5747 Perimeter Drive, Ste. 100A
Dublin, Ohio 43017
PH: (614) 785-1163(614) 785-1163
Fax: (614) 785-0513
Ohio State School for the Blind
5220 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(800) 310-3317
National Office: (800) 562-6265
www.ossb.oh.gov
National Library Service (NLS)
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of Braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail. Their Kids Zone has fun books and magazines for kids.
1291 Taylor Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 707-5100 or (202) 707-0744 TTY
www.loc.gov/nls
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
This is a national membership organization of parents and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement and information.
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Local Contact: (614) 570-2083
www.nfb.org
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic
Offers routine and advanced care for children with visual impairments. Visit their website for clinic locations throughout Columbus, helpful resources and to schedule an appointment.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-4075
www.nationwidechildrens.org
Newsreel
This monthly audio magazine, available on both audiocassette tape and in digital format, is produced by and for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Newsreel contains news, supportive articles, information and entertainment.
5 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(888) 723-8737
http://newsreelmag.org
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NFB-Newsline
NFB-NEWSLINE is available at no charge in nearly every state and serves more than 112,000 subscribers with visual or physical impairments preventing traditional reading. As of 2016, it offers 343 domestic newspapers, 20 breaking news sources, 16 international newspapers, 51 magazines, shopping ads, television listings, and hundreds of thousands of job listings through CareerBuilder.com
For more information or to register for NFB-NEWSLINE visit http://www.nfbnewsline.org or if you need help, call 1-866-504-7300.
Ohio Ophthalmological Society (OOS) Free Sports Goggles Program
Protect your child from getting injured when they play sports by getting a free pair of prescription sports goggles. Regular eyeglasses and contacts will not protect a child’s eyes from injury and may even increase the damage. To qualify for this free program, children must wear glasses or contacts and live in a family whose income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (view poverty guidelines).
3401 Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 527-6799
www.playhardgear.com
Free & Low Cost Eye Exams
Find out more about local free and low-cost eye exams and glasses in the low-cost health care section of CAP4Kids.
Ohio State School for the Blind
As the first public school for the blind in the U.S., they are dedicated to the education of students with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities. Visit their resources page to find useful information about the blind community and visual impairments.
5220 North High Street, Columbus Ohio, 43214
(800) 310-3317
www.ossb.oh.gov
Prevent Blindness Ohio
Provides free professional eye exams, follow-up care, education and eyewear to medically needy children, youth, families and uninsured adults.
1500 West Third Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(800) 301-2020 or (614) 464-2020
www.preventblindness.org/Ohio
State Library of Ohio eBook Project
Westerville Library participates in Ohio’s eBook project, which allows library members to go online and download a wide variety of popular book titles in eAudiobook and eBook format for free.
126 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(614) 882-7277
http://ohdbks.lib.overdrive.com
State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program
Provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment to approximately 15,000 eligible blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, and reading disabled Ohio residents.
17121 Lake Shore Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44110
(800) 362-1262 or (800) 686-1531
www.library.ohio.gov
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide all persons involved in the student's education with the necessary resources they need to help each student become successful members of their communities and to equip those in the vision field with a readily available resource to meet the wide range of needs of the students they serve. Would you like to write me or send brochures, catalogs, or products to trial? Send to: Attn: Carmen Willings Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments North Forsyth High School 3635 Coal Mountain Rd. Cumming, GA 30028
Voicecorps Reading Service
Hear TV listings and any section of the Columbus Dispatch anytime. Voicecorps broadcasts newspapers and magazines (like People magazine) daily to individuals with visual, physical or learning disabilities. They deliver special receivers to those who qualify, and they help those who cannot afford the service. Broadcasts may be heard within a 50-mile radius of Columbus.
2955 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 274-7650 or (614) 470-0075
www.voicecorps.org
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Are you a Lion?
Do you like helping others? Come and join your local Lions Club and see how much of a difference you can make!
CISAM
The Center for Instructional Supports and Accessible Materials (CISAM) is a statewide project serving students with print disabilities, including students who are blind and visually impaired. CISAM’s mission is to provide free quality accessible educational materials, professional development/learning opportunities, and technical assistance for Ohio's students with print disabilities including students with visual impairments and their families, educators, and collaborative partners.
CISAM’s vision is to improve the achievement outcomes of Ohio’s students through the timely provision of accessible educational materials and services.
CISAM’s goal is to assist school personnel in locating AEM in a timely manner in alternate formats for eligible Ohio students including: audio, braille, digital text, large print.
