Ongoing Programs & Resources
Discover ongoing programs, resources, and opportunities for the blind and low vision community. These programs offer long-term support, training, and enrichment beyond one-time events.
Categories
Leadership & Professional Development
AFB Blind Leaders Development Program
American Foundation for the Blind
A leadership program for individuals with vision loss to develop professional and interpersonal skills.
Includes:
- Webinars by leadership experts
- Mentorship from blind professionals
- Networking with industry leaders
Commitment: 3 hours per week, with participation in training, mentoring, and assignments.
AFB Digital Accessibility Bootcamp
Remote 3-month summer program
A 3-month summer program for computer science students to develop accessible digital solutions.
Benefits:
- Hands-on projects and mentorship
- $2,000 in scholarships & incentives
- Free iPad & learning materials
Commitment: 20-25 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Eligibility: College students (CS or related fields) with a 3.0+ GPA
Applications: Closed for 2025. Opens Fall 2025 for Summer 2026.
Access Acting Academy (AC3)
Empowering Blind and Low Vision Actors
Founded by Broadway and TV actor Marilee Talkington, AC3 is the leading actor training program for blind and low vision performers.
Services:
- Free Workshops & Panels – Stay updated on casting opportunities and training sessions
- Casting Services – Connect with blind and visually impaired actors
- Coaching – Sliding-scale training in acting, singing, movement, and script analysis
Travel & Experiences
Ski Lessons for the Visually Impaired
ESF Serre Chevalier Villeneuve
For nearly 30 years, ESF Serre Chevalier Villeneuve has been dedicated to teaching alpine skiing to individuals with disabilities. Our specially trained instructors provide ski lessons for blind and low vision adults and children of all ages, using radio guidance and adaptive equipment to ensure a safe and enriching experience.
Experience the thrill of skiing in the breathtaking Serre Chevalier Villeneuve resort, one of the largest ski areas in France and Europe, with 250 km of pistes ranging from beginner to expert levels.
Tactile Trips
Tours Designed for Blind and Visually Impaired Travelers
This collection features tour companies specializing in tactile experiences and detailed descriptions tailored for blind and low vision travelers. While many sightseeing tours are enjoyable for blind individuals, these curated services focus on enhancing touch-based exploration.
Featured Companies:
- Cocky Guides (Australia) – Short tours to multi-day adventures
- DiversiGO (Budapest, Hungary) – Four guided tours for people with disabilities
- Mind's Eye Travel – Global vacation experiences
- Planet Abled (India) – Inclusive travel experiences
- Traveleyes – Multi-sensory global holidays
Tactile Museums
Interactive Museum Experiences
A curated list of museums offering tactile exhibits for blind and low vision visitors. These museums provide interactive, hands-on experiences.
Featured Museums:
- Andy Warhol Museum (USA) – Tactile art reproductions and guided tours
- Anubhav (India) – 22 touchable replicas showcasing 5,000 years of Indian art
- American Museum of Natural History (USA) – Science Sense touch tours
- Museo Tiflologico (Spain) – Reproductions of monuments and art by visually impaired artists
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA) – Wide array of touch-accessible artifacts
Wellness & Creative Arts
Blind Yoga: Strength & Confidence
Accessible Yoga Program
A 5-CD yoga program designed for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Complete Set Includes:
- 24 yoga postures with detailed audio instructions
- Body awareness and alignment exercises
- Special insights for blind practitioners and yoga teachers
Special Offer: CD4 (1-hour yoga flow) available for $8 as an MP3 download.
Rex & Friends
Bridging Isolation Through Music
Rex & Friends provides music training and performance opportunities for blind and autistic individuals in Southern California. The program fosters musical collaboration, skill development, and social connection through professional support and live performances.
Founded by musical savant Rex Lewis-Clack and directed by Laurie Grant, the program nurtures musical growth while empowering participants to contribute to the community through their talents.
News & Information Services
NFB-NEWSLINE®
Free Audio News Service
NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that offers access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more.
Content for NFB-NEWSLINE subscribers:
- National newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and USA Today
- Breaking news sources, including CNN, BBC, and ESPN Online
- International newspapers, including Financial Times and Vancouver Sun
- Magazines, including Time, Consumer Reports, Guideposts, and Smithsonian
- State newspapers
- Emergency weather alerts and seven-day forecasts localized to your zip code or GPS location
- More than 100,000 job listings from two national job sources
- TV listings localized to your zip code and provider
- Retail ads
Ways to Access NFB-NEWSLINE:
Mobile App
iOS Mobile App 3.0 with KNFB Reader Basic for scanning printed text
Phone
Access through touch-tone phone with customizable reading options
Amazon Alexa
Hands-free access on any Amazon Alexa product
Website & Email
Screen-reader friendly website and email delivery options
How to Sign Up:
Anyone who cannot read printed publications due to vision loss, dyslexia, or a physical disability is eligible. Register by calling your state's Library for the Blind and Print-Disabled or the National Federation of the Blind at 866-504-7300.