Resources

Local Low Vision Resources

Texas Workforce Commission:

https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/vocational-rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation Adult Caseload
6400 East Hwy 290 #300 Austin, TX 78723
512-936-6400
Email: vr.office.locator@twc.texas.gov

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind
400 East Hwy 290 #300
Austin, TX 78723
512-936-3388
Email: oib.info@twc.texas.gov

Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
4800 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78756
512-377-0300

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
https://www.tsbvi.edu/
1100 W. 45th St.
Austin, TX 78756
512-454-8631
1-800-872-5273

Austin Lighthouse
https://austinlighthouse.org/
4512 S. Pleasant Valley Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
512-442-2329
Email: info@austinlighthouse.org

Sight Savers of America    
https://sightsaversamerica.org/low-vision/
337 Business Circle
Pelham, Al 35124
1-877-942-2627 ext. 235
Email: info@sightsaversamerica.org

San Antonio Independent Living Services- San Antonio and Waco Area Counties
https://sailstx.org/
11306 Sir Winston St. Bldg. F
San Antonio, TX 78216
210-281-1878

ARCIL
https://arcilinc.org/index.php
Austin: 8200 Cameron Rd. Suite C154
Austin TX 78754
512-832-6349

San Marcos
618 South Guadalupe Suite 103
San Marcos, TX 78666
512-396-5790

Round Rock
 525 Round Rock West Dr. Suite A120
Round Rock, TX 78681
512-828-4624

Carrollton
 1505 Luna Road Suite 250
Carrollton, TX 75006
940-274-3411

Veterans Administration -Tara Travland
Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
1901 Veterans Memorial Drive
Temple, TX 76504-7451
254-743-0199

Low Vision Support Group

Connect with others who share similar experiences and receive emotional support, education, and encouragement. The Low Vision Support Group meets every month on Zoom. Email reginalvot@gmail.com to register for the support group, and we’ll send you the link to join the meetings.

    Guide Dog Resources

    A guide dog can be a valuable companion for people who are blind or visually impaired, helping them navigate their environment and perform daily activities more independently. These specially trained dogs are intelligent, loyal, and skilled at guiding their handlers through crowded streets, intersections, and other obstacles. They can also provide emotional support and enhance their handler’s overall quality of life. However, owning a guide dog requires a significant commitment of time, effort, and financial resources, and it is important to carefully consider whether it is the right choice for you before pursuing this option.

    Non-emergency Medical Transportation

    We recommend SendaRide for non-emergency medical transportation services. SendaRide is a customized concierge door-to-door non-emergency medical transportation service. Learn more about SendaRide!

    Senior Access provides free transportation and support services that enhances independence and quality of life for all of our senior clients. Seniors often find it difficult to continue to live at home without viable transportation, basic chores around the home, or access to essential services?  Senior Access connects volunteer drivers with seniors needing a way to get around.  Serves in Round Rock, Hutto, Manor and East Austin. 

    https://senioraccesstx.org/

    Faith in Action Georgetown programs to meet the needs of the senior community.  They offer ride scheduling and coordination full time.  The Go-Van-Go program offers group grocery trips and social outings on a 14-passenger van.  They also offer  a Buddy Program that connects volunteers and clients with a social check in, online grocery assistance and curbside pick-up and delivery.

    https://www.faithinactiongt.org/

    At Complete Low Vision Care in Round Rock, TX, we facilitate or recommend the use of these helpful resources to people living with low vision.

    What to know about your low vision examination

    Congratulations!  You have made an appointment for a low vision examination.  This is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your ability to use your remaining vision.  This letter will familiarize you with ways you can assist the doctors as they help you function better with your vision loss.

    First, you must realize that there are no miracles. Your vision cannot be restored.  Low vision care is a rehabilitation process involving special techniques and equipment, and one or more of these approaches usually works well:

    1. Learning to use your remaining vision more efficiently than you do now.  There are some eye movement skills you will learn to help you do this.
    2. Using alternate methods to perform certain tasks. These include better lighting; auditory or hearing techniques; and so on.
    3. Using special optical devices, such as magnifiers you hold in your hand, strong magnifying glasses that you wear, telescopes, or electronic machines that enlarge print.  These can improve your ability to see detail (for example, to read the newspaper or watch television), but may require you to hold material close to your eyes or see only a small part of what you are viewing at one time (a small field of view). The benefits, however, often outweigh these disadvantages.

    PREPARING FOR THE APPOINTMENT

    It will be helpful to think about specific problems you are having at home or work that are related to your vision.  This may include problems with reading, watching television, getting around, playing cards, sewing, knitting, woodworking, or other social and recreational activities.  Some of these activities may not be helped by the options available, but we cannot be sure unless you tell us about the difficulties you are having.

    Think about things you would like to be able to see better.  Start to think about your goals.  It will be helpful to WRITE DOWN your problem areas and the goals you hope to achieve.  If you have difficulty writing, have someone write them down for you.

    The examination may be lengthy, often an hour or two.  Schedule your visit around your medications and meals and select a time when you feel your vision is at its best.

    WHAT TO BRING

    Bring any glasses or low vision devices (e.g.: magnifying glasses) that you are using to the examination.  If you have any special materials you want to be able to work with (e.g.: forms, books, or needlepoint) bring them to the examination as well.

    FINALLY

    This will be your initial visit. The doctors may need to see you several times to ensure you are getting the best prescription for your eyes and that the goals you want to accomplish are attained. In addition, we can make referrals for training in the use of your low vision devices and to address other aspects related to vision rehabilitation training.

    The best low vision service occurs when we form a partnership in which each of us understands your goals and works together to attain them.

    Complete Low Vision Care
    1545 Round Rock Ave #100A
    Round Rock, TX 78681