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Fifty years ago, Lorraine Marchi learned the difference between
“blind” and “visually impaired” when her
son’s school would not provide adequate large-print materials
for him. Since he was not legally blind, he did not need to use
Braille. To prevent this frustrating problem from affecting other
parents, Marchi started the National Association for the Visually
Handicapped (NAVH).
Since then, NAVH has grown into a national organization with offices
in New York and San Francisco. The organization offers visual aids,
free access to a large-print library with 7,000 titles, “fun”
rooms with ergonomically designed lighting, and counseling services
and home visits for the visually handicapped.
NAVH’s educational materials serve an essential need: More
than 26 million Americans over age 40 suffer from common diseases
that can lead to visual impairment, such as glaucoma, diabetes,
and macular degeneration.
NAVH offers assistance to young and old alike. Here are a few of
the vital services provided by the organization:
- support groups
- transportation
- professional advice
- services for non-English speakers
- advice about new computerized and adaptive technologies
The organization’s website is fully compatible with a visually
impaired person’s needs. It offers links to helpful services
and tips, including information about how to make a Windows Operating
System easier to use for a visually impaired person.
NAVH also holds various symposiums, educational series, and conferences
throughout the year to support the continuing education of medical
professionals who specialize in the visually impaired.
NAVH offers the visually impaired the chance to continue to live
as productively in the sighted world as they did before their vision
changed. And for young people who were born with or developed impaired
vision, NAVH offer an opportunity to lead constructive lives. NAVH
is the only organization in the world to focus solely on the visually
handicapped, and it deserves the support of compassionate donors
everywhere.
For more information, visit www.navh.org.
Each month the Council on Humane Giving profiles a health charity
that displays the Humane Charity Seal of Approval on its website
or literature. Please consider showing your support by writing a
letter of thanks or giving a donation, and be sure to tell your
friends, family and coworkers about this outstanding health charity.
Humane Charity Spotlight Archive
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