Local Vision Resources:
Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1 W. Wilson St.
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
(888)-879-0017
Website: OBVI Contact Information | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Program description: Services for eligible consumers to meet their independent living goals may include:
- Vision Rehabilitation Therapy services constitute the broad array of skills needed to teach individuals who are blind or visually impaired to function independently at home and/or in a work environment, and to participate in community life. These include communication techniques, activities of daily living, personal management, home management, leisure management, medical management, indoor orientation, and community integration.
- Low Vision Therapy services screen and assess functional visual abilities and visual deficits using specialized evaluation instruments. In collaboration with an ophthalmologist and/or optometrist who manage eye health and treatment, a Low Vision Therapist provides training in the use of low vision equipment, techniques, and environmental modifications for enhanced visual functioning.
- Orientation and Mobility services are provided in a sequence of instruction to individuals with visual impairment in the use of their remaining senses to determine their position within the environment, and in techniques for safe movement from one location to another.
- Accessible computer technology service providers, specific to computer accessibility for individuals who are blind, help individuals with visual disabilities acquire and use appropriate accessible computer technology to assist them in activities of daily living, employment and education.
- Information and referral about and to community resources, including peer support groups, that will help meet individualized consumer needs.
- Assisting the consumer in understanding the medical and psychosocial aspects of visual impairments, and provide individual advocacy training.
- Other independent living services.
UW Health Eye Care Clinic
2880 University Ave
University Station
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 263-7171
Program Description: Provides eye exams (only) for uninsured and underinsured patients. (Lions Club may cover cost of glasses, for City of Madison residents only). Referrals are made from outside agencies or clinics, including, but not limited to: Access Community Health Centers, MEDiC Clinics, Porchlight, Public Health Madison and Dane County, Safe Haven Transitional Housing, The Salvation Army and school nurses. Clinic is run by two residents and one faculty once a month. Appointments should be made by referring clinic following a financial screening. Patients requiring a follow-up appointment during regular clinic hours will be billed a full-fee clinic visit. Financial arrangements can be made by contacting UW Hospital and Clinics Business Office.
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
754 Williamson Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608)255-1166
Program Description: Online catalog, Sharper Vision Store, providing adaptive products for people with vision loss
- Braille and tactile aids (equipment sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
- Low vision aids (equipment sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
- Daily living aids (sales, training, information, client evaluation, and product demonstration)
- Blind mobility aids (sales, training, information, and client evaluation)