Helpful Links

The following websites are for informational purposes only. These sites are not affiliated with Low Vision Montana nor do they endorse our site. Be aware that some of the information on the Internet may not be accurate or completely researched. Please use good judgment and err on the side of caution when obtaining information from the Internet.

Community Resources Information

Bookshare.org: Bookshare.org increases access to digital books for the community of visually impaired and otherwise print disabled individuals. This online community enables book scans to be shared, thereby leveraging the collections of thousands of individuals who regularly scan books.
Administration on Aging: This agency, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of the nation's largest providers of home and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers. The agency provides home and community-based services to millions of older persons through the programs funded under the Older Americans Act. They also provide home-delivered meals programs or nutrition services in congregate settings, transportation, adult day care, legal assistance or health promotion programs. At nursing homes, they provide Ombudsmen who provide an ongoing presence monitoring care and conditions and providing a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides a variety of services to help people who are caring for family members who are chronically ill or who have disabilities. PHONE: (202) 619-0724.
Alliance for Aging Research: The Alliance for Aging Research is a citizen advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age. The goal of the agency is to strive to advance science and enhance lives through a variety of activities and initiatives including research, and providing educational efforts and resources to the general public. The Alliance efforts have made aging research a fast growing priority for medical research today as well as conducting surveys and polls about the aging public. PHONE: (202) 293-2856.
American Association of Retired Persons: This nonprofit membership organization is a good source of information on long-term options, caregiving, legal and financial planning, Medicare and Medicaid, and legislative issues affecting the elderly. PHONE: (202) 434-2277. TOLL FREE: 1-888-687-2277.
American Federation for Aging Research: This organization provides the latest information about groundbreaking new aging research tailored for a non-medical audience. PHONE: (202) 703-9977. TOLL FREE: 1-888-582-2327.
Eldercare Locator: This national organization, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers information and referrals for a wide variety of senior community. These include adult day care, respite for caregivers, transportation, home health care, meals on wheels, asssistance with housing and other services available locally. TOLL FREE: 1-800-677-1116.
ElderLaw Answers.Com: This organization supports seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals by providing information concerning crucial legal issues facing seniors and a network of highly qualified elder law attorneys nationwide. TOLL FREE: 1-866-267-0947.
FamilyCareAmerica: This organization helps caregivers identify and locate the agencies, institutions, professionals, associations, manufacturers, and vendors that can help with specific needs.
HealthFinder: This website has health-care information for all ages and includes access to online journals, libraries and medical dictionaries. There is the pension search directory and a directory with Spanish words for Social Security Administration terms.
Meals on Wheels: Provides seniors with meal programs. Their website's meal program directory has the largest database of meal programs in the U.S.
Medicare: Medicare operates a toll-free hotline to answer questions about financial coverage and assists with patient's claims. TOLL FREE: 1-800-633-4227.
National Council on Aging: The National Council on Aging helps older people to remain healthy, find jobs, discover new ways to continue and contribute to society after retirement, and take advantage of government and private benefits programs that can improve the quality of their lives. PHONE: (202) 479-1200.
National Institute on Aging: The National Eye Institute supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision. In addition, they develop public and professional education programs to help prevent blindness,reduce visual impairment, and increase awareness of the services and devices available for people with low vision. PHONE: (301) 496-5248.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: The Library of Congress administers a free library program of Braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries. Books and magazines in recorded form (talking books) or in Braille are delivered to eligible readers by postage-free mail and are returned in the same manner. Specially designed record players and cassette players are also loaned to those borrowing talking books. PHONE: (202) 707-5100. TOLL FREE: 1-800-424-8567.
Senior Citizens Bureau: The bureau is a free, non-profit community resource for the elderly, children of the elderly and other caregivers, advocates and professionals. Free or low cost services and guidance are available to senior adults. TOLL FREE: 1-888-801-2497.
The National Council on the Aging: The National Council on the Aging has created a free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans.

If you know of an informative or helpful website which is not on the resource list, please e-mail it to us. If the site meets the needs of people participating in the Low Vision Services program, we will add it to our list.