Local Resources
Many of the calls we receive are from people asking about rehabilitation or educational services for individuals with visual impairments. There are three agencies in Maine which provide such services.
The Pine Tree Guide Dog User of Maine Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote the well-being of dog guide users in Maine. Founded in 1997 with some financial support from the American Council of the Blind of Maine and a lot of energy and hard work from our founding members, PTGDU includes folks who are dog guide handlers, folks who raise puppies destined to become dog guides, and folks who are interested in working dogs of all kinds.
The Iris Network (formerly The Maine Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired) is a private non-profit agency providing rehabilitation services state wide. The Iris Network provides a range of services which are all geared towards enabling an individual to live at their desired level of independence. The agency provides instruction in independent living skills, self-advocacy, personal adjustment, orientation and mobility, and computer access. Instruction may take place either in your own home or at the campus of The Iris Network in Portland.
The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is a state agency housed in the Department of Labor. The Division offers comprehensive rehabilitation services to residents of Maine who are blind or visually impaired. The services may be provided directly by DBVI staff or the client may be referred to other cooperating service providers. There are DBVI offices located throughout the state.
National Resources
The National Library Service Talking Book Program: The Talking Book Library in Maine is housed at the Maine State Library in Augusta. The library has thousands of books on tape which may be loaned at no cost to qualified borrowers. The library also loans tape players adapted to play these specially formatted tapes. Books may be requested by author, title, or category.
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General Information on Eye Disorders Information on being a sighted guide for a person who is blind