A REFERENCE GUIDE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY- IMPAIRED Ivan J. Suñer, M.D. Marc C. Peden, M.D. www.TampaRetina.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Low-Vision Specialists (by County) Highlands County .............................. 3 Hillsborough County ......................... 3 Pasco County ...................................... 4 Pinellas County .................................. 5 Polk County ........................................ 5 State of Florida Organizations (by County) Hillsborough County ......................... 6 Pasco County ...................................... 7 Pinellas County .................................. 8 Polk County .......................................10 Transportation Services (by County) Hillsborough County ......................12 Pinellas County ...............................13 Polk County .....................................14 Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS National Organizations ........................15 Macular Degeneration Organizations ................................... 17 Large-Print Books ................................. 18 Audiotapes and Large-Print Publications .................. 19 Talking Book Libraries ......................... 20 CCTV Manufacturer and Retailers .................................... 21 Professional Organizations ................. 24 Seeing Eye Dogs ................................... 25 Miscellaneous Services and Resources .................................. 26 Retina Associates of Florida does not endorse any of the businesses included in this booklet. Information included in this booklet may change at any time. It is recommended you contact a business first before going to their place of service. Page 2 LOW-VISION SPECIALISTS (by county) HIGHLANDS COUNTY Sonya M. Braudway, O.D. 5233 US 27 N Sebring, FL 33872 Tel. (863) 385-4220, Fax (863) 463-4786 Website: crmd.net HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Bruce W. Anderson, O.D. Neeta Chhabra, O.D. Richard Weisenberger, O.D. 719 W Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612 Tel. (813) 961-2020, Fax (813) 961-4105 Website: andersoneyecarecenter.com Bruce W. Anderson USF Eye Institute 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd. MDC-21 Tampa, FL 33612 Tel. (813) 974-3820, Fax (813) 974-5621 Paul Scaglione, MS, OTR/L Baycare Low Vision Rehabilitation Program Baycare Homecare 8020 Woodland Center Boulevard Tampa, FL 33614 Tel. 1-800-Baycare Website: baycare.org Page 3 LOW-VISION SPECIALISTS (by county) Edward Huggett, O.D. 1701 Rickenbacker Dr., Suite 102 Sun City Center, FL 33573 Tel. (727) 463-2579, Fax (727) 934-7339 Email: [email protected] Website: lowvisionsupport.org Susan Payne, O.D. James A. Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33612 Tel. (888) 716-7787 Website: tampa.va.gov PASCO COUNTY Sherry Teddy, O.D. 2740 Seven Springs Boulevard New Port Richey, FL 34655 Tel. (727) 372-2020, Fax (727) 372-9313 Website: theeyedocs.com Sonya M. Braudway, O.D. 6719 Gall Blvd, Suite 206 Zephyrhills,FL 33540 Tel. (813) 788-8388, Fax (813) 783-1223 Website: crmd.net Page 4 LOW-VISION SPECIALISTS (by county) PINELLAS COUNTY Edward Huggett, O.D. 2323 Curlew Rd., Suite 7A Dunedin, FL 34698 Tel. (727) 463-2579, Fax (727) 934-7229 Email: [email protected] Website: lowvisionsupport.org G Timothy Petito, O.D. Petito Eyecare 8695 4th Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Tel. (727) 578-9880, Fax (727) 578-1510 Email: [email protected] Website: petitoeyecare.com POLK COUNTY Sonya M. Braudway, O.D. Offices: 2815 Lakeland Hills Boulevard Lakeland, FL 33805 Tel. (863) 683-6699, Fax (863) 688-3314 250 Avenue K, SW Winter Haven, FL 33880 Tel. (863) 297-5400 or (800) 472-8867 Fax (863) 293-9780 Website: crmd.net The above names represent only a partial listing of qualified low-vision practitioners in the Tampa Bay area. Page 5 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Division of Blind Services 1313 N. Tampa Street Suite 712 Tampa, FL 33602 Tel. (813) 871-7190, Fax (813) 871-7161 Website: www.dbs.myflorida.com Eye medical services for the indigent, rehabilitation, social services and training support for adjustment to blindness, job placement. Financial eligibility must be met for medical care and purchase of equipment. Self Reliance, Inc. Center for Independent Living 8901 N Armenia Avenue Tampa, FL 33604 Tel. (813) 375-3965, Fax (813) 375-3970 TTY (813) 375-3972 Website: self-reliance.org The mission of Self Reliance, Inc. is to promote inde- pendence by empowering people with disabilities and improving the communities in which we live. Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind 1106 W Platt Street Tampa, FL 33606 Tel. (813) 251-2407, Fax (813) 254-4305 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tampalighthouse.org Services for totally blind, legally blind and visually impaired including case management, employment counseling and placement, low-vision eye clinic and rehabilitation. On-site store sells adaptive aids and magnifiers. Medicare is accepted. Low-vision exam fees and prices of low-vision devices vary. Page 6 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) YES! of America United, Inc. 9502 N Florida Ave Tampa, FL 33612 Tel. (813) 935-5696 Email: [email protected] Website: yesunited.org Yes! Is here to enrich persons living with disabilities via our educating outreach and programs allowing them to live engaged lives as members of their community. PASCO COUNTY Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind 18610 Galen Wilson Boulevard Port Richey, FL 34668 Tel. (727) 815-0303, Fax (727) 815-0203 Website: lvib.org The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide people who are visually impaired and blind with the skills needed to achieve their maximum independence. Lighthouse works with people of all ages, from babies to seniors, who experience vision impair- ment, blindness and low vision, and live in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Page 7 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) PINELLAS COUNTY Abilities, Inc. of Florida 2735 Whitney Road Clearwater, FL 33760 Tel. (727) 538-7370 Website: abilitiesfoundation.com The Foundation’s vision is to ensure that people with disabilites have the opportunity to participate with dignity in everything that community life has to offer. Its mission is to support the needs of Floridians and military veterans with disabilities through gainful employment, affordable housing, independent living, recreational/cultural resources, advocacy, health and accessible marketplaces. Preserve Vision Florida 9200 Seminole Blvd., Second Floor Seminole, FL 33772 Tel. (813) 874-2020 x 4022, Fax (813) 226-3745 Email: [email protected] Website: pvfla.org Preserve Vision Florida is a non-profit organization offering 59 years of vision education and services to Florida’s children and adults. Our focus is promoting a lifetime of healthy vision care through advocacy, educa- tion, screening and research. Page 8 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) Florida Lions Foundation For The Blind 8804 41st Street N Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Tel. (727) 200-1411 Website: www.floridalionsfoundation.org Division of Blind Services 325 West Gaines St., Turlington Building, Suite 1114 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Tel. (850) 245-0300, Fax (850) 245-0363 Website: www.dbs.myflorida.com Comprehensive services for the blind and visually impaired. Medical social services, talking book library, mobility and orientation training. Vocational rehabilitation training is also available. Lighthouse of Pinellas 6925 112th Circle N, Suite 103 Largo, FL 33773 Tel. (727) 544-4433, Fax (727) 544-5511 Website: www.lighthouseofpinellas.org Independent living training for the blind and visually impaired. Clients may also participate in self-advocacy and support groups.Vocational rehab training program includes classes in basic keyboarding, computers with adaptive software, Braille, orientation and mobility. Low-vision screenings are available to assist clients in determining needs for adaptive aids. Page 9 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) POLK COUNTY Division of Blind Services 402. S. Kentucky Ave., Suite 340 Lakeland, FL 33801 Tel. (863) 499-2385, Fax (863) 499-2698 Webite: www.dbs.myflorida.com Serves Citrus, Hardee, Polk, and Sumter Counties. Polk One Stop Career Center 940 E. Parker Street Lakeland, FL 33801 Tel. (863) 683-5627, Fax (863) 603-7817 TDD (863) 683-5627 Career counseling, job information and placement, labor market information, training, unemployment insurance and vocational assessment. Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind Winter Haven Division 206 Avenue D NW Winter Haven, FL 33881 Tel. (863) 299-3633, Fax (863) 299-3559 Website: www.tampalighthouse.org Offers industrial employment training, case man- agement, employment placement assistance, low-vision eye clinic, visual rehabilitation,computer training. Store with adaptive aids and magnifiers. Page 10 STATE OF FLORIDA ORGANIZATIONS (by county) Florida Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation 200 N Kentucky Avenue Suite 310 Lakeland, FL 33801 Tel. (863) 680-5534, Fax (863) 499-2332 Website: www.rehabworks.org Provides Braille instruction, publications and materials in Braille, case management,communication training, health education, health screening, peer counseling, psychological testing and vision screening. Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) 1232 E Magnolia Street Lakeland, FL 33801 Tel. (863) 284-0828, Fax (863) 683-4732 Website: www.viste.org Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) pro- vide transportation to registered clients who are 70 or older and live in Bartow, Lakeland, Mulberry or Ft. Mead. You must be ambulatory. Used for rides to doctor appointments, medical appointments,