The Social Determinants of Health and Older Americans Month 

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are a heavy topic for a blog post. So why write about them? It’s Older Americans month and it is important for people to understand the major factors that shape their lives and affect them as they grow older.  This post will discuss how these factors intersect with losing vision … Continued

What’s Happening at the American Foundation for the Blind  

By Melanie Peskoe  Editor’s Note: The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a valuable APH ConnectCenter partner whose policy, advocacy, and research initiatives positively affect people who are blind or low vision. Learn about their latest efforts in meeting their mission, “creating a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually … Continued

American Foundation for the Blind Ramps Up Aging and Vision Loss Initiative

With the introduction of AFB’s new strategic direction last year, AFB has identified three significant issues to address in our efforts to create a world of no limits: education, employment, and aging and vision loss. Many of our initiatives moving forward will center around these priorities. With regard to aging and vision loss, America is … Continued

New Research: The Number of New Cases of Low Vision and Blindness in Adults and Older Adults Is Expected to Double During the Next 30 Years

New research from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reveals that the annual number of new cases of blindness and low vision among people aged 45 years and older is estimated to double during the next 30 years. Because data about the incidence of blindness and low vision in the United States was formally estimated … Continued

Appreciating Disability Employment Awareness Month

by Suzanne Turner, Guest Blogger October has become one of the months that is known for many celebrations of awareness. This month highlights Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, White Cane Safety Day, Meet the Blind Month, and my favorite, National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The reasoning behind my enthusiasm for Disability Employment … Continued

National Teleconference Addresses How Medicare Might Provide Coverage for Low Vision Devices

  As reported by Maureen Duffy in a recent VisionAware blog post, the American Foundation for the Blind hosted a national teleseminar on October 4 to discuss this critical topic. Approximately 200 people across the nation participated to hear what the panelists (listed below) had to say and to make their own comments about the … Continued

American Foundation for the Blind Invites You to the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss National Teleseminar: Medicare Coverage of Low Vision Devices

On Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 3:00pm Eastern Standard Time, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss will host RESOLVED—Medicare Should Pay for Low Vision Devices: Views Through Different Lenses. This 90-minute teleseminar will discuss the pros, cons, and range of concerns about permanent Medicare … Continued

Protect Amtrak: An Important Part of Our Transportation Infrastructure

Editor’s Note: In our Independence Day post, we discussed the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss and the first goal of increasing funding for services to maximize independence for older persons with vision loss. In today’s post, we cover one of the initiatives of goal three of the Agenda, the need for good … Continued

What Does Independence Really Mean to Older Persons Experiencing Vision Loss?

We are celebrating our independence as a nation this week. We indeed have much to celebrate as we our flag flows proud and free, and we sing our nation’s anthem (in my case slightly off key)! Taking this to a personal level, the VisionAware peer advisors have addressed this theme in a series on independence. … Continued

Taking It to the Streets: Make the 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss Happen on a Local Level

As highlighted in a post in May regarding critical issues for older persons with vision loss, AFB has joined with other advocates in a renewed 21st Century Agenda on Aging and Vision Loss. Why is this important? Check out the facts.    Building the Case As laid out in the www.afb.org/aging, the Agenda’s web page, … Continued