|  | Conditions Treatments | Disabilities

Florida Grants for the Blind

Grants for the blind provide financial support and counseling services for individuals who are visually impaired. In Florida, grants for the blind are offered through nonprofit and government organizations. The funding varies depending on the program and is awarded based on financial need. Prospective applicants should review the selection criteria for individual grants to determine their eligibility.

  1. Florida Lions Foundation

    • The Florida Lions Foundation was established in 1958 and provides eye care for the needy. The foundation provides grants funded by individual donors and companies. The grants help finance various medical expenses for individuals without medical insurance coverage. In partnership with local hospitals and clinics, the staff at the foundation negotiates medical payments on behalf of blind patients in need of specialized care. Individuals seeking assistance from the foundation must be active members in good standing. Membership is open to all persons who make regular donations to the foundation.

      Florida Lions Foundation

      P.O. Box 1780

      Hernando, FL 34442-1780

      352-897-4436

      floridalionsfoundation.org

    Lighthouse of the Big Bend

    • Lighthouse of the Blind is a nonprofit organization based in Tallahassee. The agency assists individuals who are undergoing vision loss, and the service is free. Although the agency does not provide direct financial assistance in the form of grants, individuals who are visually impaired or experiencing vision loss can receive assistance through outreach and one-on-one programs. Services are provided to qualified applicants under the age of 6 and older than 13, and they must reside in one of the the following counties: Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla. The agency provides a variety of instructional workshops, such as strategies for daily living, reading and writing skills, recreation and leisure activities and self advocacy skills. Applicants must submit a referral form and specify their area of need. Funding for the blind is made possible through individual donations from community members.

      Lighthouse of the Big Bend

      3071 Highland Oaks Terrace

      Tallahassee, FL 32301

      850-942-3658

      firesight.org

    The Able Trust

    • The Able Trust is a branch of the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation. Trust funds for the agency are provided by endowments, gifts and public support. In addition to assisting the blind, Able Trust provides grants to assist individuals with a variety of disabilities, such as speech and hearing and epilepsy. Through the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind and its Visual Innovations and Solutions program, the agency assists the blind through adaptive technology instruction for the visually impaired. The training prepares individuals with visual impairment for employment by providing computer instruction and broad-based employment skills training. Applicants must submit a proposal that specifies their employment needs. Individuals who are employed at the time of their application can qualify for grants.

      The Able Trust

      3320 Thomasville Road

      Suite 200

      Tallahassee, FL 32308

      850-224-4493

      abletrust.org

Disabilities - Related Articles