People with Low Vision can Maintain Independence and Privacy

New York, New York – Many people with low vision give up on reading, writing checks and traveling alone. Some use talking books; some turn their finances over to someone else; some never walk alone outside their home again.

Yet many people with visual impairments, especially those caused by age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60 in the Western world, can continue to read, control their finances and travel alone. They simply need the right tools, the right services and the right training.

On Sunday, May 21, 2006, National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH) will host its 33rd Annual Public Awareness Showcase and Counseling Center for the Visually Impaired at Einhorn Auditorium in Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.

This free event highlights some of the products and services available to help those with low vision maintain their independence and their privacy.

From 1-4 p.m., members of the public can learn about and purchase all types of visual aids and electronic devices that enlarge objects, and lights specially designed to reduce glare. Other gadgets and aids that will be available include check writing guides and “easy-to-read” pens; talking keychains and clocks; large print playing cards and calendars; and needle threaders.

NAVH large print educational material on vision and eye disease will be available, as well as large print books from commercial publishers and samples of Reader’s Digest Large Print Magazine and Condensed Novels and The New York Times Large Print Weekly.

Prominent ophthalmologists will be available for mini-consultations.

Representatives from various public and private organizations will be answering questions about their services for the visually impaired.

The NAVH 33rd Annual Showcase will be held in Einhorn Auditorium, at Lenox Hill Hospital, 131 E. 76th Street, New York, New York, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2006. The event is free to the public.



About NAVH

NAVH is the only national voluntary nonprofit health organization solely devoted to the hard of seeing.™ Our mission is to ensure that impaired vision does not reduce quality of life. For over 52 years, we have encouraged and trained low vision people to use their remaining vision to its fullest potential. We are completely dependent on individuals, foundations and corporations for support.

For more information on NAVH and how to support our services, visit navh.org or call 1-888-205-5951.

Contact:

Janet Handy
NAVH
Development Director
212-889-3141
www.navh.org


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