CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is a program for children under the age of 18 who qualify as a Texas resident and U.S. resident. The program covers the cost of eye exams and glasses as well as prescription drugs and many other services. To find out if you meet the qualifications, visit the link below.
AVAILABLE AT | yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov/programs/
health/child/childrens-medicaid
PHONE NUMBER | 1-877-787-8999
The Alexander Vision Center, located in Fort Worth, assists families of children with visual impairments or blindness. Referrals to their clinic must come from a school nurse, physician’s office, or public health agencies. Specific income guidelines apply and can be found on their website listed below.
AVAILABLE AT | cookchildrens.org/ophthalmology
PHONE NUMBER | 682-885-4499
InfantSEE was designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life. With the help of this program, participating optometrists provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment. For more information follow the link below.
AVAILABLE AT | infantsee.org
PHONE NUMBER | 888-396-3937
Kids Vision Coalition is an organization in North Texas that works to create strategic partnerships to provide children with the vision care they need to see, learn and succeed.
AVAILABLE AT | kidsvisionco.org
The Dallas Area Council for the Blind is an organization that advocates for blind and visually impaired Texans. The organization also provides scholarships to qualified post-secondary students.
AVAILABLE AT | dallasacb.org
New Eyes for the Needy purchases new prescription eyeglasses through a voucher program for children and adults in the U.S. who cannot afford glasses. Follow the link below to find out more.
AVAILABLE AT | new-eyes.org
PHONE NUMBER | 973-376-4903
Mission Cataract USA offers free cataract surgery to people of all ages who cannot afford it themselves. They also want to eradicate blindness due to cataracts in the country and bring as many people as possible from blindness to useful productive lives.
AVAILABLE AT | missioncataractusa.org
PHONE NUMBER | 559-797-1629
Sight for Students provides vouchers that provide children in need with eye care and glasses from a local doctor. To find out if you qualify, contact VSP below.
AVAILABLE AT | vspglobal.com/cms/vspglobal-outreach/gift-certificates.html
PHONE NUMBER | 800-877-7195
The Lighthouse Guild has youth and teen programs. These programs immerse blind and visually impaired students into a social and recreational daily life. More information on the program can be found on their website below.
AVAILABLE AT | lighthouseguild.org/patients-families/youth-and-teenprograms
PHONE NUMBER | 646-874-8322
The Vision of Children Foundation is dedicated to curing hereditary childhood blindness and vision disorders.
AVAILABLE AT | visionofchildren.org
PHONE NUMBER | 858-314-7916
Sight Savers America has a children’s eye care program. The program provides free comprehensive eye care follow-up to qualifying children in areas of Texas and other states. To find out more about their programs, visit the website listed below.
AVAILABLE AT | sightsaversamerica.org
PHONE NUMBER | 877-942-2627
The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is a service agency that provides help to people who are blind that is not readily available from government or other existing service systems.
AVAILABLE AT | actionfund.org
PHONE NUMBER | 410-659-9315
The Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments is a group that enables parents to find helpful information, resources, and support.
AVAILABLE AT | tapvi.org
PHONE NUMBER | 972-984-0761
Wonder Baby is a website dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities.
AVAILABLE AT | wonderbaby.org
FamilyConnect is a national membership organization that enables parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired and those with additional disabilities. It is an online multimedia community that gives parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and link to local resources.
AVAILABLE AT | familyconnect.org
PHONE NUMBER | 212-769-6318
The Blind Children’s Center is a nonprofit organization that serves children who are blind or visually impaired and provides an array of support services.
AVAILABLE AT | blindchildrenscenter.org
The National Library Service is a free Braille and audio book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or hold a physical page.
AVAILABLE AT | loc.gov/nls
Seedlings is an organization that provides Braille books for children.
AVAILABLE AT | seedlings.org
PHONE NUMBER | 800-777-8552
Expected to launch later this year, LEGO Braille Bricks will be a great tool to helping visually impaired children learn the Braille alphabet. To read more about LEGO’s Braille Bricks, visit their website listed below.
AVAILABLE AT | legobraillebricks.com
Perkins School for the Blind is a progressive, multi-faceted organization committed to improving the lives of people with blindness all around the world.
AVAILABLE AT | perkins.org
PHONE NUMBER | 617-924-3434
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a special public school in which students, who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired including those with additional disabilities, who are eligible for consideration for services on campus.
AVAILABLE AT | tsbvi.edu
PHONE NUMBER | 512-454-8631
The Hadley School for the Blind offers free online courses on everything from helping your young child develop to beginner’s Braille.
AVAILABLE AT | hadley.edu
PHONE NUMBER | 800-323-4238
Leader Dogs for the Blind is an organization that provides free guide dogs and training to legally blind individuals who are at least 16 years old. They also offer a summer camp for visually impaired teens 14-17 years old to gain experience working with a guide dog as well as other activities that those with visual impairments might not normally get to participate in.
AVAILABLE AT | leaderdog.org
PHONE NUMBER | 248-651-9011
Animal Watch Vi Suite is an app designed for children with visual impairments that helps children improve middle school math skills. Students are also able to learn about invasive and endangered species. It is available for free on the Apple App Store.
AVAILABLE AT | apps.apple.com/us/app/animalwatch-vi-suite/id1051014170
Sensory Light Box is an app that uses abstract animation and sound to introduce basic skills and awareness. It is great for children with low vision and other sensory needs. It is available for $3.99 on the Apple App Store, and on Google Play for $2.49.
AVAILABLE AT | apps.apple.com/us/app/sensory-light-box/id533976433?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
OR | play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.cognable.lightbox
We are currently offering FREE eye exams to all North Texas adults who are out of a job due to COVID. The free exams include a glaucoma screening and glasses. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!
