Helpful Websites

Resources for People Living with Disabilities

*Sun Sounds does not promote or endorse any link or resource other than local agencies or organization we work with. 

 

ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

American Council of the Blind

American Foundation for the Blind

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living

Arizona Council of the Blind

Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition

Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association

Blinded Veterans Association-Northern Arizona Regional Group

The Carroll Center for the Blind

National Federation of the Blind

National Federation of the Blind of Arizona

 

AGING 

50 Home Remodeling Ideas of Seniors

Aging and Sexual Health

Assistedliving.org

Assisted Living Options for Low Income Elderly

Help Guide
Discusses health, exercise, memory loss, depression and links to Alzheimer's and dementia.

Bedroom Modifications 

Creating Safe Bathrooms for Seniors

Dental Bridges- Information and types of

Senior Living options and elder care planning
 
 
Important Medicare Dates to Remember- a timeline for preparaing for Medicade
 
 
 
 
 
  
Drugrehab.org - Drug and alcohol rehab for Seniors
 
 
 
 
 
Retirees Guide to Air BnB - Financial guide to hosting or staying at an Air BnB. 
 
 
 

Guide for seniors on the road; includes topics on how to talk to someone you think should stop driving, how to be an independent driver for as long as possible, general driving safety tips, and getting around without a vehicle.

 

ADDICTION/REHAB SERVICES

*Sun Sounds does not endorse or promote any of these centers or services or their longterm success rate.

A Better Life Recovery - Questionairre and information

AZ- Free Rehab Centers in Arizona

Addiction Resources for Students

Addictionaide.com - Addiction Resources

Alcohol and Drug Rehab Near Me

Alcoholics Anonymous - find an AA meeting near you.

Alcohol Effects on Diabetes

Alcohol Effects on Physical Health

Alcohol Rehab Help 

 
 
Addiction Group - Rehab and recovery
 
 

DrugRehab.com - Drug and alcohol recovery

Drugrehabconnections.com

Narcotics Anonymous - Find an NA meeting near you

National Council for Senior Drug & Alcohol Rehab

Onlinetherapy.com - 

 
 
Wavelengths.com - Recovery resources
 
ARIZONA RESOURCES
 
211arizona.org - Service and program resources throughout the state of Arizona
 
Ability360 - Ticket to Work, Benefits and other employment resources for Arizona residents
 
 
 
Area Agency on Aging, Benefits Assistance Program - 602-264-4357
Help and Information for Seniors 
 ona.org
Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers - 602-253-0090
Arizona's Premier Primary Care Alliance
 
Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library
A Regional Library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.
 
Indepdent living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities. Offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.
 

Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Provides assistive technology, counseling/social work, orientation and mobility training/rehabilitation teaching and social recreation services for adults who are legally blind or visually impaired as well as those who have a degenerative eye condition.

Arizona Council of the Blind

Arizona Covid Vaccine Information

Arizona Department of Economic Security: Rehabilitation Services Administration
A state agency that provides that provides vocational rehabilitation services for people living with disabilities as well as programs and services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition

Arizona Governor's Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment

AZ Links is Arizona’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), created to help Arizona Seniors, People with Disabilities, Caregivers and Family Members locate resources and services that meet their needs.
 
Arizona's Medicaid Agency
 

Arizona Healthcare Marketplace
You Marketplace for AZ Health Insurance

Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind
Educating children and youth.

Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
Promotes awareness of, access to and acquisition of assistive technology for persons living with disabilities. Services include equipment demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, training and even help with financing through their Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology program.

Blinded Veterans Association

Cerebral Palsy Dentist - Phoenix

Caring.com - Senior Living in Flagstaff

Drug and Rehab Facilities in Tucson

EYEknowAZ
Comprehensive resources for blind and visually impaired people

Eyes on Learning - Advancing vision health for kids

Arizona educational resource center for children and adults that combines training, counseling, communication and technology.
 
 
Greater Phoenix Urban League - 602-254-5611
Tool to Achieve Economic and Social Equality
 
Health Insurance Marketplace - 1-800-318-2596
Learn about the Different Health Insurance Plans
 
 
 
 
Seniorhousing.net -Financial support and care options in AZ
Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired
A non-profit agency serving visually impaired adults in Southern Arizona since 1964. By promoting independence, SAAVI enhances the quality of life for those with vision loss through programs offering services, skills training and social and recreational opportunities.
 

ARTICLES

Living With a Disability: 12 Essential Tips to Maintain an Awesome Attitude

Help Colleagues with Disabilities Suceed in Meetings

Sleep Guide for People with Disabilities

 

AUTISM

Education Guide for Students with Autism

How to Teach Your Kids About Body Awareness published by Pepperdine University

Traveling with Children with Autism

 

CATALOGUES & ASSITIVE TECH FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

American Printing House for the Blind
Commercial Braille production house and source for adapted educational and daily living products - since 1858.

American Thermoform Corporation
Printers, embossers, translation software and other Braille supplies.

Blind Mice Mart
Retail provider of accessible products.

Disability Friendly - Wheelchair mobility catalog

Braille books, housewares, toys, gifts and low vision products.
 
 
Manufacturer of the Perkins Brailler. A private non-profit organization serving the needs of people who are blind, deafblind and visually handicapped
 

Independent Living Aids
Low vision aids for independent living, including talking watches.

LS and S
Specializes in products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard of hearing.

MaxiAids
Leading provider of adaptive products, products for independent living and products designed to enhance your lifestyle

Optelec
Specializing in electronic equipment for the blind and partially sighted.

Speak To Me Catalog
Specializes in products that talk, sing, or record your own message.

Spiritual and Inspriational Material - Xavier Society for the Blind

Vision Dynamics

 

CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy Dentist - Phoenix

Cerebral Palsy Guide

Cerebal Palsy Group

Guidance and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy.
 
Corona Virus/Covid-19
  
 
 

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS & INFORMATION

Accredited Schools Online
Resources for students with visual impairments

Addiction Counseling Training in AZ

Affordable Colleges Online
Guide to higher education for students with visual impairments

Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind

Resource for online colleges in every state.
 
Training and support for independent living, orientation and mobility instruction, vocational training, job placement, counseling, recreation, and youth services.
 
Best colleges, government programs, scholarships & helpful apps. 
 
Nursing programs
 
 
Winning in College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities
 
Arizona educational resource center for children and adults that combines training, counseling, communication and technology.
 

The Hadley School for the Blind
Offers more than 100 distance education courses free of charge to those who are blind, their families or blindness professionals.

Law School Resources for People with a Learning Disorder

 
Nationally recognized campus in Watertown, Massachusetts that specializes in educating children and adults who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired with or without other disabilities.
 

Rider University Business Programs and Resources for Graduates with a Disability

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
A center for educational services for all blind and visually impaired students in Texas.

Trade School for People with Disabilities Info

UniversityHQ - Find your dream career

 
 
 
 
 
EMPLOYMENT
 
Ability360 - Ticket to Work, Benefits and other employment resources for Arizona residents
 
Askjan.org - Your questions on disablility accomodations answered
 
 
 
Resumelab.com - Resume and Cover Letters
 
 
 
Respectability.org - Ensuring children and adults with disabilities receive the education, training and employment opportunities they need to succeed.
Zety.com- Blog on jobs for people with disabilities
 

ENTERTAINMENT

The Media Access Group at WGBH - Descriptive Video Service
Delivering accessible media through captioning and audio descriptions.

Actors with Disabities Guide

Audio Description

Performing Arts Venues with Audio Descritpion by State 

 

FINANCIAL

Paying for Senior Care Arizona Guide

Financial Literacy for Older Adults

Fiancial Protections for Those with Alzheimers

Untangling Inheritace IRAs and Disbursments

Person with Disability Discount Guide Info

 

HEALTH INSURANCE RESOURCES IN MARICOPA COUNTY

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System-602-417-4000
Arizona's Medicaid Agency

Medicare - 1-800-MEDICARE(633-42273)
Medicare Information

Area Agency on Aging, Benefits Assistance Program - 602-264-4357
Help and Information for Seniors 

Health Insurance Marketplace - 1-800-318-2596
Learn about the Different Health Insurance Plans

Arizona Healthcare Marketplace
You Marketplace for AZ Health Insurance

Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers - 602-253-0090
Arizona's Premier Primary Care Alliance

Greater Phoenix Urban League - 602-254-5611
Tool to Achieve Economic and Social Equality

 

LIBRARY SERVICES

Arizona Braille and Talking Book Library
A Regional Library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Book Share
Online service that gives print disabled people in the United States legal access to more than 32,600 books and 150 periodicals that are converted to Braille, large print or text to speech audio files.

National Braille Press
a nonprofit braille printer and publisher offering braille books, magazines, textbooks, tests, and customized embossing services.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
A national network of cooperating libraries providing a free braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.

Message of Hope
Literature from Unity Church on audio cassette or in braille.

Seedlings Braille Books for Children
More than 800 low-cost children's books in braille.

Spiritual and Inspriational Material - Xavier Society for the Blind

MESOTHELIOMA

Government Help with Medical Expenses

 
 

Mesothelioma.net

Mesothelioma Veterans

 

RADIO READING SERVICES

ACB Radio
A web-based radio station for people who are blind.

International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS)
An association of independently operated, volunteer-driven services that use audio technology to transform print into speech. Includes a listing of Radio Reading Services around the globe. Sun Sounds of Arizona is a proud member.

NFB-Newsline
Toll-free call-in center providing audio access to more than 200 newspapers in English and Spanish.

 

REHABILITATION/ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living
Indepdent living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities. Offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.

Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Provides assistive technology, counseling/social work, orientation and mobility training/rehabilitation teaching and social recreation services for adults who are legally blind or visually impaired as well as those who have a degenerative eye condition.

Arizona Department of Economic Security: Rehabilitation Services Administration
A state agency that provides that provides vocational rehabilitation services for people living with disabilities as well as programs and services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired
A Philadelphia based agency that provides rehabilitation services, a computer technology center, radio reading information services, Braille services and an online newsletter.

Bankrate - How to afford a service dog

Blinded Veterans Association
Promotes the welfare of blinded veterans through service programs, groups and benefits.

Eye Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
Dedicated to giving guide dogs to the blind and the visually impaired at absolutely no cost. Their German Shepherd dogs have been assisting individuals all over the world.

Guide Dogs for the Blind
Campus training services and extensive follow-up support for graduates. Services are provided to students from the United States and Canada at no cost to them.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind
A non-profit, charitable organization providing trained guide dogs for the visually impaired throughout the world.

Seeing Eye, Inc.
An organization located in New Jersey that provides guide dogs to blind people for orientation and mobility.

Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired
A non-profit agency serving visually impaired adults in Southern Arizona since 1964. By promoting independence, SAAVI enhances the quality of life for those with vision loss through programs offering services, skills training and social and recreational opportunities.

The Colorado Center for the Blind
A training center of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

 

RESOURCE WEBSITES

Ability360 - Arizona's premier disability resource center for  advocacy, support, jobs, and sports fitness

60+ Discount, Resources and Programs for People with Disabilities

Actors with Disabities Guide

Applying for Disability Benefits with Vision Loss

Arizona Governor's Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment

AZ Links is Arizona’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), created to help Arizona Seniors, People with Disabilities, Caregivers and Family Members locate resources and services that meet their needs.
A senior care organization that supports family caregivers and their loved ones
 
Dedicated to keeping the public informed about consumer dangers and safety issues associated with numerous products that can cause the public serious harm. Our website is continuously updated with breaking news from Government agencies, Watchdog Groups, and concerned citizens regarding product recalls and drug medication safety.
 
Drug and medical devices
 
 
Directions For Me - Accessible packaging information. Provides information on consumer packages or labels. 
 
 
 
Information on medications and medical devices
 

Drug Information 
Drugwatch.com features information on over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Drug Management

EYEknowAZ
Comprehensive resources for blind and visually impaired people

Grants for Native Americans

Hearing Aid Information and Guide - How to choose the right one-Mayo Clinc

Hearing Health

Hearing Aid Info for Seniors

Help.org - Resources to help consumers maker safer and smarter choices

Home Modification for People with Blindness or Low Vision

 
This web site offers free information and personal assistance for people dealing with macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases. Follow the links in the menu to access their extensive resources.
 

Mortgage Loan
A guide for persons living with a disability and in need of useful information and assistance in buying a home.

Moving with a Visual Impairment

Opiod Prescription- What to Ask

Stress Management: Understanding and Coping with Stress

Refinance Guide and Mortgage Guide for People with Disabilities

Rental Rights for People with Disabilities

Tools for Tough Times
Financial information and resources

Trauma Resources

VisionAware.org
Self-help resources for vision loss.

Vision Center - Your one stop shop for all things vision

 

SERVICE ANIMALS

Fidelco

Guide to Service Animals

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs of America

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Service Dogs Inc.

Service Dogs for America

Service Dogs, The Definitive Guide

 

TECHNOLOGY

Accessible Website Design Guide

Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
Promotes awareness of, access to and acquisition of assistive technology for persons living with disabilities. Services include equipment demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, training and even help with financing through their Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology program.

Assistive Technology for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Dancing Dots
Serving blind musicians and their educators through technology and training.

Digital Resources for Students with Autism

Duxbury Systems
Braille translation software. Supports grade 1 and grade 2 translation in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Malaysian, Swedish, and other languages.

Edubirdie - Technology for people with disabilities

Freedom Scientific
Assistive and adaptive technology products including Braille note takers, screen readers, screen enlargement programs and other adaptive products for computers.

Human Ware

Digital tools, braille note takers and other adaptive computer equipment.

Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc.
Developer of reading technology for people with learning difficulties, people who are blind or visually impaired.

PCS Games
Computer games for people who are blind.

Pneuma Soluntions- accessible on screen and webinar content

Serotek (NOW Pneuma Solutions)
Producer of screen reading and specialized web browsing software, and host for an on-line community of blind people.

 

TRAVEL RESOURCES

Accessible Journeys is a vacation planner and tour operator exclusively for wheelchair travelers, their families and friends
 
 
List of travel agents from around the world that provide specialized services to people with with disabilities.
 
Flying with a Disability - Tips for traveling the UK with a disability.
 
Travel agencies for special needs travelers.
  
Travel tips for senior and disabled travelers
 
Link to article on how to make travelling with a disability less stressful
 
 
An educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad
 
Special Needs Group, Inc. is the leading global provider of wheelchair rentals, scooter rentals, oxygen rentals and other special needs equipment rentals. It also offers a broad range of special needs equipment for purchase. Recommended by the world's major cruise lines for superior service and value, SpecialNeeds Group also services guests visiting hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers. It now offers an easy-to-use online scooter and wheelchair rental booking service.
 
Tips for travelers with disabilities
Teletext Holidays - Best wheelchair friendly destinations
 
Travel agents and tour operators for people with disability, slow walkers, wheelchair & scooter users
 
Toll free hotline for air travelers with disabilities
1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) to obtain assistance
 
A guide on how to make navigating airports and air travel more enjoyable
 
Accessible Travel Resource for Wheelchair Users and People with Mobility Disabilities 
 

VISION CARE

EyeCare America's Senior Eye Care Program
Coordinated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this program provides free medical eye care to all US citizens, age 65 and older, who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years and who don't have coverage through an HMO or the Veterans Administration. The program also offers a diabetes and glaucoma eye care program.

Knights Templar Eye Foundation

This charitable foundation provides financial assistance for eye care to people under age 65 who don't qualify for Medicaid or who have private insurance, but can't afford to pay for care. Knights Templar also co-sponsors the EyeCare America's program.
Phone number: 847-490-3838

Local Lions Club
Referral resource for eye-care and eye-glasses programs that are available in your area. Programs and eligibility requirements vary by community.
Phone number: 800-747-4448

Midwestern University Eye Institute, Glendale, AZ
Wide range of services for infant patients to seniors with low vision. Eye glasses, contact lenses, sports vision, prosthetic eyes and low vision rehab.
Phone number: 623-537-6000

Mission Cataract USA
Coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons' Association, this program provides free cataract surgery to people of all ages who don't have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance and have no means to pay.  Phone number: 800-3430-7265

New Eyes for the Needy
This international program distributes new prescription eyeglasses to people with limited incomes.
Phone number: 973-376-4903

View Finder
Nationally recognized optometric practice that specializes in low vision rehabilitation of patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve disease, stroke, brain injury and other forms of visual impairment. 866-924-8755

Visioncenter.org

Vision USA
Coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), Vision USA provides free eye care service to uninsured and low income workers and their families who have no means of obtaining care(click on "AOA Charities and Public Programs"). Phone number: 800-766-4466