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.

The Hadley School for the Blind

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

•  Blind or visually impaired individuals, 14 years of age or older
•  Relative of a blind or visually impaired child
•  Family member of a blind or visually impaired person
•  Professionals working in the blindness field (for a modest tuition fee)
  

Hadley offers a wide variety – more than 100 teacher-guided distance education courses.  Over 10,000 students worldwide enjoy Hadley’s wide range of courses which include academics, communication and technology, Braille, independent living, recreation, high school program (in US only) and more.

Hadley students all over the world receive educational materials through the mail or may access course materials online.  (Students in Canada and the United States may contact instructors through a toll-free telephone number or through e-mail.) 

The Lions – Hadley partnership encourages Lions members to inform potential Hadley students about Hadley’s tuition-free, distance education opportunities.

Hadley's Bookshare

If you or someone you know has a print disability, which can include visual impairments and blindness, reading disabilities and physical impairments that make it difficult or impossible to read printed books, Hadley has a library for you!  Bookshare.org is an online community that offers almost 36,000 books and 150 periodicals in downloadable digital and Braille formats for those who have a print disability.  Hadley and Bookshare have partnered to offer free membership to all Hadley students.  For more information, contact The Hadley School for the Blind.

"Lions-in-Touch" award

Lions referring a student who enrolls in Hadley courses may receive the new Lions-Hadley "Lions-in-Touch" award. For more information, contact Hadley.

Medical Research

Many Lions clubs provide funding for medical research conducted 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 Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Blindness-related organizations often establish educational scholarships for blind and visualy impaired students.  When asked, Lions clubs often provide scholarship assistance for local students who are bind or visually impaired.  To locate contact information for a club, visit "club locator" on this Web site, or search the Web.  Most clubs are named for the communitiy in which they serve.

Assistive Technology Centers

Some community Lions clubs have created assistive technology centers which provide people who are blind or visually impaired with access to computers.  These centers are often centrally located in public buildings such as libraries, and 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
• braille marked walking trails

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 a guide dog.

Lions often provide financial and volunteer support to a guide dog school.  A guide dog candidate must attend training when receiving his or her guide dog. If the individiual will need assistance with travel and other costs related to attending the 3-4 week training course, a Lions club may arrange to provide assistance. In addition, Lions often volunteer as puppy handlers for dog training schools. 

Lions Clubs International does not endorse any particular assistance dog facility (guide dog school for the blind/visually impaired; service dog school for people who have physical challenges, and includes hearing ear dog for people who are deaf). Information about assistance dog facilities is compiled and shared with Lions and the general public. For information, contact the Health & Children's Services Department at  programs@lionsclubs.org

Clubs may provide support by donating funds to rehabilitation centers for the blind where instructors teach orientation and mobility skills.

Transportation

Transportation is a major concern in some communities.  Lions clubs may be involved in establishing 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 may volunteer to 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 may help with the purchase of assistive devices.  Among the many products available from manufacturers are magnifiers, large display wrist watches, talking clocks, large print playing cards, beep sports balls, braille books, sewing aids, and easy-to-read telephones.