Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are a few of the conditions that affect vision.  In some instances, the vision lost due to these conditions cannot be restored.

Lions clubs support the blind and visually impaired in many ways.  Some of these examples are listed below.

Hadley School for the Blind

The Hadley School for the Blind is an accredited international learning center that provides free distance education for:

• blind adults, 14 years of age or older;
• families of blind or visually impaired persons;
• professionals working in the blindness field.

Hadley offers more than 90 teacher-guided distance education courses including Braille, independent living, pre-algebra, business law, world history, and conversational French.

Students receive educational materials through the mail or access materials online. Students can contact instructors through a toll-free telephone number or through E-mail.

Lions clubs are encouraged to refer blind or visually impaired community members and their families to the Hadley School.  

Hadley serves more than 10,000 students each year in more than 90 countries.  The Hadley School for the Blind in Fuzhou, China, teaches English and English Braille to blind students in China.

Together, Lions and Hadley can have a profound impact on blind and visually impaired individuals and their families around the world.

"Lions-in-Touch" award

Lions who refer a blind student to the Hadley School for the Blind can receive the new Lions-Hadley "Lions-in-Touch" award. For more information, contact Hadley.

American Council of Blind Lions

The American Council of Blind Lions (ACBL) is a specially chartered Lions club. The goal of this club is to assist other Lions clubs in understanding the issues surrounding people who are blind or visually impaired.

Membership in the ACBL is US $15. Membership is open to all Lions. The ACBL meets once each year at the American Council of the Blind convention. The ACBL is a special interest affiliate member of the American Council of the Blind.

The ACBL provides the following Lions publications in an appropriate format for blind or visually impaired Lions.

• THE LION Magazine (Braille and Large Print)
• Club Officer Manuals
• New Member Kit (Large Print)

The ACBL provides advice and information to Lions clubs regarding effective ways to serve the blind/visually impaired.

For more information, contact the Program Development Department at: executiveservices@lionsclubs.org

Medical Research

Many Lions clubs provide funding for medical research underway at local universities, hospitals and private facilities.  Some Lions clubs or districts provide ongoing support for medical research through the sponsorship of eye research fellowships.

Scholarships for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Blindness-related organizations often establish educational scholarships for blind and visually impaired students.  When asked, Lions clubs often provide scholarships for local students who are blind or visually impaired.

Assistive Technology Centers

Centrally located in public buildings such as libraries, Lions clubs have created assistive technology centers which provide the blind or visually impaired with access to computers.

These centers often include: voice synthesized computer equipment, software for producing Braille and large print formats, recording and dubbing devices for audio formats, and closed circuit televisions for enlarging print for the reading of books, letters, bills, etc.

Accessibility

In cooperation with local authorities, Lions clubs often help improve public access for the blind and visually impaired.  Among these improvements are:

• smooth sidewalks
• sidewalks that slope at the curbs for wheelchair accessibility
• audible (beep) traffic signals.

Associations for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Governments, non-profit organizations, and religious groups are among the agencies that advocate for the visually impaired.  Among the services offered are:

• counseling
• education
• financial support
• low vision programs and equipment
• medical services
• reading services
• recreation
• rehabilitation
• transportation

Lions often donate funds as well as their time to associations for the blind and visually impaired.

Support Groups

Hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, and senior centers often organize self-help groups for people with vision impairments.  Similar support groups for family members are also commonly organized.

Lions club members often volunteer their time to help organize and provide continued support for self-help groups for the blind and visually impaired.

Independent Mobility

Blind or visually impaired people who wish to be independent and mobile, may choose to use a white cane or an assistance dog.

Lions often finance both of these aids for the blind or visually impaired. Clubs also donate funds to schools for the blind which teach white cane instruction and assistance dog training schools.  In addition, Lions are often volunteer puppy handlers for dog training schools.

Lions Clubs International does not endorse any particular assistance dog facility. Information about assistance dog facilities is compiled and shared with Lions and the general public. For information, contact the Program Development Department at executiveservices@lionsclubs.org

Transportation

This is a major concern in some communities.  Lions clubs can establish transportation services for the blind and visually impaired in communities where accessible transportation does not exist.

Reading Materials

With the aid of new computer technology, Lions clubs can transform printed materials into large print, Braille, audiocassette, computer disk, or e-mail formats for the blind and visually impaired.  This can include newspapers, magazines, books, voting ballots, legal contracts, utility bills, bank notices, medical information, restaurant menus, etc.

Reading Aids

Upon request, Lions clubs have donated reading aids to the blind and visually impaired.  Among the many products now available are:

• magnified reading glasses
• easy-to-read telephones
• television screen magnifier
• large button television remote control devices
• large display wrist watches
• large display calculators
• computer screen magnifier
• jumbo medication box
• automatic eye drop dispensers
• large print playing cards
• large print crossword puzzles
• large size dominoes

Audio Products

• talking heart rate monitor
• talking thermometer
• talking book player
• talking currency identifier
• talking calculator
• talking daily organizer
• talking bar code scanner
• talking message recorder
• talking video cassette recorder (VCR) player
• beep balls including beep softballs, footballs, soccer balls
• talking scale
• talking tape measure
• talking pedometer

Braille Products

• Braille books
• Braille wrist watches
• Braille translation software
• Braille board games including Bingo, Monopoly, playing cards

Other Aids

• sewing aids
• syringe aids for diabetics
• vibrating alarm clock
• computer games
• door key identifier
• magnified mirror

For information about Support Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, contact the Program Development Department at international headquarters at: programs@lionsclubs.org