Local Agencies & Businesses

There are many agencies in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs which focus on the needs of visually impaired people. Below is a list of several of these agencies as well as a brief description of the services which each provides. This is by no means a complete list of all of the agencies in this area.

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
Midwest Regional Center
401 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60611
312/245-9961
http://www.afb.org/
This agency sells aids and appliances as well as provides public and professional educational materials.

AMERITECH
800/244-4444
Ameritech offers a variety of services to people with disabilities, including 411 directory assistance calls free of charge to customers who are legally blind.

BLIND SERVICE ASSOCIATION
22 W. Monroe Street, llth Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
312/236-0808
This agency provides reader and taping services to individuals as well as information and refer-ral services. Support groups are also held at this agency as well as educational presentations.

CHICAGOLAND RADIO INFORMATION SERVICES, INC. (CRIS)
77 E. Randolph Street.
Chicago, IL 60601
312/541-8400
http://www.mcs.net/~cmeans/cris.html
This organization provides information via radio transmission of print material to blind or visually impaired individuals who live within a 30-mile radius of downtown Chicago. Programming includes the reading of local area newspapers and informational programs.

DESCRIPTIVE VIDEO SERVICE WTTW-TV
5400 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773/509-5611
This service enables viewers to listen to descriptions of non-audio scenes from selected public television programs. Descriptions can be heard through either a stereo television or through a standard television with a special adapter.

EDUCATIONAL TAPE RECORDING FOR THE BLIND
3915 W. 103d Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773/445-3533
This agency records and provides textbooks on loan to students for a $25.00 annual fee.

GUILD FOR THE BLIND
180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601-7463
312/236-8569
http://www.guildfortheblind.org/
This agency provides information and referral as well as transcription services. A variety of assistive devices are also sold as well as large print, Braille and cassette books.

HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
700 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
847/446-8111
http://www.hadley-school.org/
This organization offers accredited correspondence courses for legally and totally blind people.

HORIZONS FOR THE BLIND
16A Meadowdale Center
Carpentersville, IL 60110
847/836-1400
This agency provides Braille transcription services and information regarding recreational and cultural facilities. It also maintains a library of Braille, large print and cassette materials.

ILLINOIS CENTER FOR REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION-WOOD
1151 S. Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312/633-3520
This agency provides rehabilitation and adjustment training for adults. Services include training in daily living skills, orientation and mobility, low vision evaluations and support groups.

ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
P.O. Box 1336
Springfield, IL 62705
A membership organization for persons who are blind or visually impaired which is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (ORS) BUREAU OF BLIND SERVICE
Chicago & suburban office locations:
Illinois Center for Rehabilitation
623 E. Adams Education
Chicago, IL
312/633-3520
or Central Office:
P.O. Box 19429
Springfield, IL 62794-9429
217/785-3887
This is a division of a state agency, which provides rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The goal of this agency is to assist people to become as independent as possible. Services include both rehabilitation and vocational training as well as low vision and adaptive equipment evaluation.

ILLINOIS EYE INSTITUTE
3241 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
312/225-6200
This agency provides low vision examinations to visually impaired individuals.

ILLINOIS REGIONAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLiND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
1055 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608
312/746-9210
This library carries materials in Braille, large print, and on cassette. It also serves as the clearinghouse for the Talking Book program of the Library of Congress for Chicago residents.

ILLINOIS SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS
407 S. Dearborn, Room 1000
Chicago, IL 60605
312/922-8710
This organization provides information on eye diseases as well as presentations regarding eye safety.

JOHANNA BUREAU FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
8 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60608
312/332-6076
Transcribes materials into Braille, large print and cassette.

KAGAN HOME FOR THE BLIND
3525 W. Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773/478-7040
A sheltered-care, residential facility for blind and multi-disabled adults who are 18 years of age or older. Also provides support and recreational activities.

LIONS OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
4415 W. Harrison St., Suite 200
Hillside, IL 60162
708/449-8810 or 800/995-LION (800/995-5466)
http://www10.lionsclubs.org/Lion/
This organization provides a variety of services to blind and visually impaired children and adults, including the possible purchasing of glasses.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Illinois Chapter
3032 N. Albany
Chicago, IL 60618
773/267-1123
http://www.nfb.org/
Consumer-membership organization that provides advocacy and educational materials.

RECORDING FOR THE BLIND
18 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 806
Chicago, IL 60603
312/236-8715
Customer Service Number (for ordering)
800/221-4792
http://www.rfbd.org/
This organization records educational materials and loans it free of charge to individuals who are registered with this agency.

Talking Book Center
400 S. State St.
5th Floor South
Chicago, IL. 60605
312/747-4001
http://www.rsa.lib.il.us/~hitbc/tbc.htm

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
800/234-5772
http://www.ssa.gov/odhome/
This agency administers both Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to eligible individuals.

Catalogues
Local Agencies & Businesses
National Organizations
Other Organizations
Information for Parents of Visually Impaired Children

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