New York State Commission for the Blind Program Information
What are the eligibility requirements?
To participate in the Older Individuals for the Blind (OIB) adaptive living program, the participant has to be over the age of 55 and they do not wish to pursue employment.
What is the process for applying for services?
To apply for services, contact your local New York Commission for the Blind district office, listed below. The district office will work with you on determining eligibility and required documentation.
What documentation is required?
- Application for Services (OCFS-1002)
- Report of Legal Blindness (OCFS-4599)
- Additional documentation varies
Available Services:
New York Commission for the Blind (NYCB) contracts with agencies for the blind who go to participant's homes to provide services. The primary benefit of this program is to allow people who are legally blind to function more independently in daily activities.
- Adjustment counseling
- Rehabilitation teaching
- Orientation and mobility instruction
Program Contact Information:
You can connect to services by calling our toll-free number, contacting your local NYSCB district office, or by calling or emailing the district manager closest to you.
- Toll-free phone number: 1-866-871-6000
- TDD: 1-866-871-6000
- New York Commission for the Blind Independent Living Services Program
New York State Commission for the Blind District Office Contact Information
Contact: April Hicks
Phone: 518-473-1675
Email: April.Hicks@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: 52 Washington St.,
Room 202 South Bldg.
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Contact: Amy Thomas
Phone: 315-423-5417
Email: Amy.Thomas@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: The Atrium
100 S. Salina Str., Suite 210
Syracuse, NY 13202
Contact: Tammy Scheffer
Phone: 716-847-3516
Email: Tammy.Scheffer@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: Ellicott Square Building
295 Main St., Suite 590
Mail to: Suite 545
Buffalo, NY 14203
Contact: Tammy Scheffer
Phone: 585-238-8110
Email: Tammy.Scheffer@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: 259 Monroe Ave., Suite 303
Rochester, NY 14607
Contact: Daniel Diaz
Phone: 914-993-5370
Email: Daniel.Diaz@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: 117 East Stevens Ave., Suite 300
Valhalla, NY 10595
Contact: Shawn Chin-Chance
Phone: 212-961-4440
Email: Shawn.Chin-Chance@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Bldg.
163 West 125th St., Suite 1315
New York, NY 10027
Contact: Brian Pinto
Phone: 212-825-5710
Email: Brian.Pinto@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 401
New York, NY 10038
Contact: Paola Nappo-Ficarra
Phone: 516-743-4188
Email: Paola.Nappo-Ficarra@ocfs.ny.gov
Address: 711 Stewart Ave., Suite 210
Garden City, NY 11530
New York Commission for the Blind Brochure
New York Programs by County
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Phone: 585-232-1111
Counties Served: Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Yates
Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment
Phone: 607-724-2428
Counties Served: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Phone: 315-797-2233
Counties Served: Fulton, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onodaga, Oswego, Otsego
Phone: 716-882-1025
Counties Served: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming
Glens Falls Association for the Blind
Phone: 518-792-3421
Counties Served: Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington
Phone: 516-944-8900
Counties Served: Nassau, Suffolk, New York City, Lower Westchester
Helen Keller Services for the Blind
Phone: 718-522-2122
Counties Served: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk
Phone: 212-769-6200
Counties Served: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond
North Country Association for the Visually Impaired
Phone: 518-562-2330
Counties Served: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence
Northeastern Association of the Blind
Phone: 518-463-1211
Counties Served: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharire, St. Lawrence, Ulster, Warren, Washington
VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Phone: 212-625-1616
Counties Served: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess, Putnam
Western New York Center for the Visually Impaired
Phone: 716-668-1166
Counties Served: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming