Resources
Note: External links open in a new browser window.
Government
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is charged with eradication of discrimination in the workplace. This website includes information on antidiscrimination legislation for employers and employees.
U.S. Department of Treasury’s “Go Direct” Campaign
For those consumers still receiving their social security payments by paper check, the U.S. Department of Treasury is offering another option through a direct deposit program.
www.godirect.org external link
Town of Hempstead
www.townofhempstead.org external link
Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs
www.nassaucountyny.gov external link
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
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. Included on the NLS website is a searchable catalog of accessible texts.
www.loc.gov/nls/ external link
NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Non-profit Organizations
Abledata
ABLEDATA is a federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States. This searchable database is offered free-of-charge. Provides information on some 27,000 products, including many of interest to individuals with visual impairments.
www.abledata.com external link
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Alliance
www.amdalliance.org external link
American Council of the Blind
Consumer organization providing information and referral on all aspects of blindness, public education and awareness training.
American Foundation for the Blind
A national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.
American Printing House for the Blind
APH manufactures braille, large type, recorded, computer disk, and tactile graphic publications, as well as a wide assortment of educational and daily living products. APH also offers a variety of services to assist consumers and professionals in the field of vision, such as Louis, a database listing materials available in accessible media from organizations across North America.
Art Education for the Blind—Art Beyond Sight
www.artbeyondsight.org external link
Baruch College Computer Center for Visually Impaired People
CCVIP’s mission is to increase the freedom, independence, and productivity of people who are blind or visually impaired through the power of digital technology.
www.baruch.cuny.edu external link
Blindness Resource Center: The New York Institute for Special Education
Excellent resource for educators and employers. Particularly valuable for its sections on blindness, deaf-blind, low vision resources and vendor links.
Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service
Offers a diverse array of social services including vocational training and job placement; social support and mental health services for persons with disabilities; and child welfare and family support services such as foster care prevention, homemaker services, and group and family day care services.
Brooklyn Public Library
www.brooklynlibrary.org external link
CAST (Center for Assistive Technology)
CAST is an educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities. CAST provides a particularly useful tool, BOBBY, free-of-charge on its website. With BOBBY, web designers can check their sites to see if and where there are obstacles to accessibility by persons with disabilities, including visual impairments.
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York
Various programs and services to help challenged persons live as independently as possible.
www.catholiccharitiesny.org external link
Closing The Gap
Closing the Gap is a not-for-profit organization that disseminates information on assistive technologies for classroom and rehabilitation use. In addition to its annual conference, Closing the Gap provides a wealth of information on its website, including a very comprehensive, searchable database of hardware and software.
www.closingthegap.com external link
Consumer Services Guide
A searchable directory of resources which can help you with consumer problems and questions.
www.consumerservicesguide.org external link
The Diabetes Resource Coalition of Long Island
www.longislanddiabetes.org external link
EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information
EASI is a not-for-profit organization that collects and disseminates information on uses of technology by persons with visual and other disabilities. Of particular interest is the organization’s electronic journal, Information Technology and Disablities, which is made available free-of-charge on the website.
www.people.rit.edu/~easi external link
Educational Vision Services
schools.nycenet.edu external link
The Family Center on Technology and Disability
The Family Center is a resource designed to support organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. FCTD offers a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technologies. Whether you’re an organization, a parent, an educator, or an interested friend, FCTD provides information to support efforts to bring the highest quality education to children with disabilities.
Fedcap
Fedcap helps people with all types of disabilities and barriers to employment join the workforce, while providing vital services to business and government.
Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC
An organization of disabled people helping disabled people, solving real needs for real people.
Job Accommodations Network
Excellent resource for employers seeking assistance in the provision of reasonable accommodations. Includes a Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR), which gives practical advice on specific disabilities and accommodations. Also offers an excellent series of links to disability legislation.
www.janweb.icdi.wvu.edu external link
Lavelle School for the Blind
A multi-cultural educational institution. The programs at Lavelle seek to educate the whole child through a combination of developmental and functional strategies. as the student progresses, the curriculum accommodates individual changing needs and educational growth.
www.lavelleschool.org external link
Long Island Center for Independent Living
National Federation of the Blind
National consumer and advocacy organization providing public education about blindness. Offers literature, scholarships, referrals, and more.
National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment.
NARIC: The National Rehabilitation Information Center
NARIC is a federally-funded center that disseminates information on disability research. Numerous searchable databases provide references to journal articles, books and documents of interest to professionals seeking to learn more about persons with various disabilities.
Net Forum for the Blind
www.escwa.un.org external link
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
The New York Public Library: Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
talkingbooks.nypl.org external link
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
RFB&D, the nation’s educational library for people with print disabilities, provides educational materials in recorded and computerized formats from kindergarten through postgraduate level. RFB&D’s materials are for all people who cannot effectively read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.
Tiresias
Provides guidelines on accessibility issues for all types of disabilities.
www.tiresias.org external link
United Way of NYC
www.unitedwaynyc.org external link
Voice Corps Reading Services
www.voicecorps.org external link
Books
Alphabet Kids—From ADD to Zellweger Syndrome: A Guide to Developmental, Neurobiological and Psychological Disorders for Parents and Professionals
Info and purchase on Amazon.com external link
Other Resources
Apple Computer Accessibility Information Page
Provides an overview of the accessibility features built into the latest MacIntosh products, as well as links to major vendors of software and hardware for visually impaired computer users.
www.apple.com/accessibility external link
Contact Lenser
A comparison site for contact lenses, with product reviews and information regarding eye health and other vision-related materials.
www.contactlenser.com external link
Lensshopper.com
Largest and most comprehensive consumer guide in the U.S. for contact lenses. Free online eye care information and clinic directory.
www.lensshopper.com external link
Microsoft Accessibility Website
Microsoft’s Accessibility page provides a wealth of information, obviously geared toward its own operating system and applications software. Included here is technical information for people with visual and other disabilities, tips for information technology and other professionals, and more.
www.microsoft.com/enable external link
C Tech Low Vision Products
Understanding Student Health: Assistive and Adaptive Techologies in the Classroom
Different assisting technologies available for students in the classroom.
New York City Accessibility Resources
From the NYC Official Accessibility Guide, compiled by the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. For a printed copy of the Guide, call 212-788-2830 or 212-788-2838 (TTY).
NYC: Accessible Transportation Resources
Big Apple Greeter
The Big Apple Greeter’s Access Project reaches out to travelers with disabilities and assists in planning personal NYC itineraries.
www.bigapplegreeter.org external link
MTA NYC Transit Access-a-Ride Paratransit
Access-a-Ride is MTA’s door-to-door service for people with disabilities.
www.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm external link
877 337-2017 (toll-free)
MTA NYC Transit Customer Service
718 330-3322
Braille friendly
MTA NYC Transit Reduced-Fare MetroCard
718 243-4999
800 861-9614 (information line about MetroCard balances for people with visual impairments)
MTA NYC Transit Travel Information Center (bus and subway)
www.tripplanner.mta.info external link
MTA NYC Transit travel information for people with disabilities
www.mta.info/mta/ada/transit.htm external link
Taxi and Limousine Commission Wheelchair Taxi Dispatcher
www.nyc.gov/taxi external link
NYC: Accessible Vehicle Resources
Golden Touch Transportation
www.goldentouchtransportation.com external link
Wheelers, Inc.
Vans with lifts, ramps, hand controls, etc.
www.wheelersvanrentals.com external link
NY Waterway-Ferry and Bus System
Daily ferries from multiple locations in Manhattan to or from New Jersey, and free, daily shuttle bus connections throughout Manhattan
www.nywaterway.com external link
NYC: Accessible Hotels
The Alex Hotel
www.thealexhotel.com external link
Chambers Hotel
Elevators are accessible to people who read Braille.
www.chambershotel.com external link
Comfort Inn-Convention Center
www.comfortinn.com external link
Crowne Plaza La Guardia Airport
www.crowneplaza.com external link
DoubleTree Metropolitan Hotel
www.dtnewyork.com external link
Four Seasons Hotel New York
www.fourseasons.com external link
Holiday Inn Express Fifth Avenue
www.hiexpress.com external link
Hotel Beacon
www.beaconhotel.com external link
Hotel Plaza Athenee—New York
www.plaza-athenee.com external link
InterContinental—The Barclay New York
new-york-barclay.intercontinental.com external link
Le Parker Meridien New York
www.parkermeridien.com/index1.php external link
The London NYC
www.thelondonnyc.com external link
Millenium Hilton
New York Marriott Downtown
www.marriott.com external link
The New York Palace Hotel
Signage and some menus are available in Braille.
www.newyorkpalace.com external link
Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square
www.nycrenaissance.com external link
The St. Regis Hotel
There are visual and tactile navigation indicators, and some signs are in Braille.
www.stregisnewyork.com external link
Sheraton Manhattan Hotel at Times Square
www.starwoodhotels.com external link
Skyline Hotel
www.skylinehotelny.com external link
The Waldorf-Astoria
www.waldorfastoria.hilton.com external link
Wyndham Garden Hotel—Chelsea and Financial District
Both locations have audio descriptions.
NYC: Accessible Sightseeing and Tour Companies
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Audio descriptions are available.
Bronx Zoo
Touch tours are available with advance notice.
www.bronxzoo.com external link
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
www.stjohndivine.org external link
Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children’s Zoo
www.centralparkzoo.com external link
Circle Line Cruises
www.circleline42.com external link
City Pass
Discounts to NYC attractions
www.citypass.com external link
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
There are large print and Braille signs; audiocassettes are available.
www.ellisisland.org external link
Empire State Building Observatory
Federal Hall National Memorial
www.nps.gov/feha external link
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
www.newyorkfed.org external link
Grand Central Terminal
www.grandcentralterminal.com external link
Gray Line New York Sightseeing
www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing external link
Madame Tussauds
NBC Universal Store/Studio Tours
www.nbcuniversalstore.com external link
New York Aquarium
Tactile exhibits at Explore the Shore
www.nyaquarium.com/plan-your-trip/accessibility.aspx external link
The New York Botanic Garden
New York Pass
An all-inclusive, pocket-size guidebook with discounts to shops and restaurants
www.newyorkpass.com external link
New York Public Library
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
www.saintpatrickscathedral.org external link
St. Paul’s Chapel
www.saintpaulschapel.org external link
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
www.snug-harbor.org external link
South Street Seaport
www.southstreetseaport.com external link
Staten Island Zoo
Large-print signage and some displays have non-glare glass.
www.statenislandzoo.org external link
Statue of Liberty National Monument
There are large-print and Braille signs; audiocassettes are available.
www.nps.gov/stli external link
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
www.topoftherocknyc.com external link
United Nations
www.un.org/tours external link
NYC: Accessible Theater Resources
Telecharge
The official ticketing agency for most Broadway theaters, discount tickets and group sales are available.
www.telecharge.com external link
Theater Breaking Through Barriers
The only Off-Broadway theater, and one of the few theaters in the country, dedicated to advancing actors and writers with disabilities and changing the image of people with disabilities from dependence to independence.
TheaterMania
This is a leading source for theater information, full-price and discount tickets, news and reviews.
www.theatermania.com external link
Theatre Development Fund (TDF)
TDF Accessibility Membership provides discounts and other assistance to theatergoers with disabilities.
www.tdf.org/tkts external link
United Stages
Insider’s guide to fun and affordable live performances
www.unitedstages.com external link
NYC: Movie Resources and Accessible Cinemas
Moviefone
Movie tickets sold 24 hours a day for citywide theaters.
www.moviefone.com external link
Angelika Film Center
www.angelikafilmcenter.com external link
Lincoln Plaza Cinemas
www.lincolnplazacinemas.com external link
Quad Cinema
www.quadcinema.com external link
NYC: Accessible Concert Halls and Theaters
Apollo Theater
www.apollotheater.org external link
Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com external link
Carnegie Hall
Large-print programs are available.
www.carnegiehall.org external link
Lincoln Center and Avery Fisher Hall
Large-print and Braille programs are available at Avery Fisher Hall.
www.lincolncenter.org external link
Radio City Music Hall
Large-print programs are available.
www.radiocity.com external link
The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden
www.wamuatmsg.com external link
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
www.brooksatkinsontheater.com external link
Gershwin Theatre
Audio descriptions are available.
www.gershwintheatre.com external link
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
www.luntfontannetheatre.com external link
Marquis Theatre
www.marquistheatre.com external link
Minskoff Theatre
www.minskofftheatre.com external link
Nederlander Theatre
www.nederlandertheatre.com external link
Neil Simon Theatre
Audio descriptions are available.
www.neilsimontheatre.com external link
Palace Theatre
www.palacetheatreonbroadway.com external link
Richard Rodgers Theatre
www.richardrodgerstheatre.com external link
NYC: Accessible Museums
American Folk Art Museum
Copies of labels and wall texts are available in large print at the admissions desk; touch tours are available with one month advance notice.
www.folkartmuseum.org external link
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History offers monthly Science Sense Tours in the Museum galleries for visitors who are blind or partially sighted. Specially trained Museum tour guides highlight specific themes and exhibition halls, engaging participants through extensive verbal descriptions and touchable objects. Science Sense is free with Museum admission. The tours are available to individuals or groups. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Programs may be subject to change. For additional information or to register for a Science Sense tour, please call (212) 313-7565 or email accessibility@amnh.org.
American Museum of Natural History—Rose Center for Earth and Space
www.amnh.org/rose external link
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
www.brooklynkids.org external link
Brooklyn Museum
Touch tours are available with advance notice.
www.brooklynmuseum.org external link
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Tactile exhibits are available.
Guggenheim
Offers “Mind’s Eye” programs, and a free multimedia app with Verbal Imaging description tours, for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
www.guggenheim.org/new-york/visit/tours/visitors-with-disabilities external link
Jewish Museum
Copies of text panels and transcripts of video programs are available in large print, and there are touch tours for select ceremonial objects.
www.thejewishmuseum.org external link
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Museum offers a wide array of programs for people who are blind or partially sighted, including self-guided and guided Touch Tours, Verbal Imaging tours, and a regularly scheduled program, “Picture This!” A drawing class for people who are blind and partially sighted is also offered once a month. Large-print labels of select special exhibitions are available. In addition, audio guides are free of charge for visitors who are blind or partially sighted. Contact the Museum directly for more information or to make an appointment: Access@metmuseum.org or 212.650.2010
www.metmuseum.org/events/visitorsdisabilities/ external link
Museum of the City of New York
Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Large-print guide to the exhibits are available.
Museum of Modern Art
Touch tours of the sculpture and design collection are available by appointment; there are also large-print and Braille brochures for special exhibitions.
New Museum
www.newmuseum.org external link
New York Hall of Science
Exhibits are hands-on and incorporate visual, tactile and auditory components.
www.nyscience.org external link
New-York Historical Society
Large print and Braille transcripts of audio tours, large-print brochures and verbal description guided tours are all available. Some galleries have large-print text panels.
www.nyhistory.org external link
Rubin Museum of Art
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
There is a large-print floor plan, and Braille signage in galleries.
www.guggenheim.org external link
Staten Island Children’s Museum at Snug Harbor
Brochures and signs in large print are available; all exhibits are tactile.
www.statenislandkids.org external link
The Studio Museum in Harlem
www.studiomuseum.org external link
Whitney Museum of American Art
There are large print and Braille brochures for special exhibitions; verbal description tours are available with advance reservation.
NYC: Accessible Nightlife
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com external link
Caroline’s on Broadway
www.carolines.com external link
Comic Strip Live
www.comicstriplive.com external link
Comix
Gotham Comedy Club
www.gothamcomedyclub.com external link
Stand-Up NY
www.standupny.com external link
NYC: Accessible Restaurants
Aleo (Italian, Chelsea)
www.aleorestaurant.com external link
Angelina’s Ristorante (Southern Italian, Staten Island)
www.angelinasristorante.com external link
Atlantic Grill (Seafood, Upper East Side)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Blue Fin (Seafood, Theatre District)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard (Barbecue, Midtown)
www.bluesmoke.com external link
Blue Water Grill (Seafood, Union Square)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (Midtown East)
www.bobbyvans.com external link
Bond 45 (New American, Times Square)
Brooklyn Diner—Carnegie Hall (New American)
Brooklyn Diner—Times Square (New American)
www.brooklyndiner.com external link
Café Fiorello (Italian, Upper West Side)
www.cafefiorello.com external link
Chanterelle (French, Tribeca)
www.chanterellenyc.com external link
City Island Lobster House (Seafood, Bronx)
www.cilobsterhouse.com external link
Commodore Grill (New American, Midtown East)
www.grandnewyork.hyatt.com external link
Court Square Diner (American, Queens)
www.courtsquaredinerlic.com external link
Da Gianni’s Ristorante (Italian, Queens)
www.dagiannisristorante.com external link
D.O.C. Wine Bar (Sardinian, Brooklyn)
www.docwinebar.com external link
Dos Caminos Park (Mexican, Flatiron District)
Dos Caminos
SoHo (Mexican)
Dos Caminos Third Avenue (Mexican, Midtown East)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Gallagher’s Steak House (Midtown West)
www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com external link
Il Giglio Restaurant (Italian, SoHo)
www.ilgigliorestaurant.com external link
Isabella’s Restaurant (New American/Mediterranean, Upper West Side)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
ilili (Lebanese/Mediterranean, Flatiron District)
www.ililinyc.com external link
Jack the Horse Tavern (American, Brooklyn)
www.jackthehorse.com external link
Japonias Restaurant and Lounge (Japanese, Gramercy Park)
www.japonaisnewyork.com external link
Junior’s Restaurant (Desserts/Deli-Brooklyn)
www.juniorscheesecake.com external link
La Masseria (Italian, Theater District)
www.lamasserianyc.com external link
One if by Land, Two if by Sea (Seafood, Greenwich Village)
www.oneifbyland.com external link
Payard Patisserie & Bistro (French, Upper East Side)
Primehouse New York (Steakhouse, Flatiron District)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Redeye Grill (Seafood, Midtown West)
www.redeyegrill.com external link
Remi, New York (Italian, Midtown West)
Shelly’s Trattoria La Tradizionale (Steakhouse/Seafood, Midtown West)
www.shellysnewyork.com external link
Trattoria Dell’Arte (Italian, Midtown West)
www.trattoriadellarte.com external link
Vento Trattoria (Italian, Greenwich Village)
www.brguestrestaurants.com external link
Vice Versa (Italian, Midtown West)
www.viceversarestaurant.com external link
Zoë Restaurant (New American, SoHo)
www.zoerestaurant.com external link
NYC: Accessible Sports Resources
Achilles Track Club
Sports group for people with a range of disabilities, including visual impairment, cerebral palsy, amputations, cancer and head injuries. Membership is free.
www.achillestrackclub.org external link
New York City Sports Commission
Information on accessible sports leagues, associations and venues.
www.nyc.gov/html/sports external link
Special Olympics New York
Provides year-round sports training and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities.
www.specialolympicsny.org external link
NYC: Accessible Stadiums and Arenas
Citi Field
New home of the New York Mets
newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/guide.jsp external link
KeySpan Park
Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Mets minor-league baseball affiliate.
www.brooklyncyclones.com external link
Madison Square Garden
Home of New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Liberty women’s basketball, New York Titans lacrosse, music concerts and other special events.
www.thegarden.com external link
Richmond County Bank Ballpark
Home of the Staten Island Yankees, the Yankees minor-league baseball affiliate.
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Home of the U.S. Open and other tennis events.
Yankee Stadium
Home of the New York Yankees.
newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/accessibility.jsp external link
Resources for Free or Low-cost Eye Exams and Glasses, Drugs, and Surgery
Eye Exams
EyeCare America
A public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) that provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible candidates age 65 or older.
eyecareamerica.org external link
InfantSEE®
A public health program that provides comprehensive vision assessment by member optometrists to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies during the first year of life, regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage.
www.infantsee.org external link
Lions Clubs International
A volunteer service organization with local chapters; sponsors community programs that may help with the purchasing of corrective eyewear or obtaining eye health care for individuals that meet their criteria. Use the Club Locator on the organization’s website to find a Lions Club near you.
www.lionsclubs.org/ external link
VISION USA
Coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), this program provides free eye care to eligible uninsured, low-income workers and their families.
www.optometryscharity.org/vision-usa/ external link
Surgery
Mission Cataract USA
Provides free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled on one day each year.
www.missioncataractusa.org external link
Eyeglasses
New Eyes for the Needy
Purchases new prescription eyeglasses through a voucher program for children and adults in the U.S. who cannot afford prescription glasses on their own.
neweyesfortheneedy.org external link
Sight for Students
A Vision Service Plan (VSP) program that provides free eye exams and glasses to eligible low-income and uninsured children 18 years and younger.
www.sightforstudents.org external link
Prescription Drugs
Patient Access Network
Helps eligible underinsured patients afford the copayments for pharmaceutical treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
www.panfoundation.org external link
Government Programs
Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams for People with Diabetes
People with diabetes can get a yearly dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye disease.
www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-eye-exam external link
Medicare Benefit for Eye Exams for People with Glaucoma
People at high risk for glaucoma are entitled to an eye exam once a year. Patients must pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
www.medicare.gov/coverage/glaucoma-tests external link
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Covers doctor visits, prescription medicines, hospitalizations and much more for children 18 years and younger at little or no cost. In addition, many states pay dental care, eye care and medical equipment costs. To find health coverage programs in your state, visit the InsureKidsNow.gov website.
