Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) provides education, employment, independent living, and eye health services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, their families, caregivers, and the community. Individuals may be eligible for CBVI services if they are experiencing a visual impairment that is affecting their ability to perform daily life activities such as reading, completing schoolwork, watching TV, cooking, maintaining their home, getting and keeping a job, or even going for a walk in their community.  

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Get Help Now:  

• For more information about blind, visually impaired, or deafblind services, or to apply or refer someone for services, call 1-877-685-8879 or contact your regional service office.  

• Individuals with disabilities can open a savings account to pay for many daily, disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid. For more information, visit: NJ ABLE.

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CBVI provides a full array of services with the goal of assisting individuals within the state who have visual impairments including those with dual sensory impairments, such as deaf-blindness, in achieving their full potential.  

Educational Services provides instruction, resources, and other services to eligible children who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired, from birth through 12th grade, and their families to ensure equal access and classroom participation.

Independent Living Skills Services provides training designed to help people of any age who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired to adjust to their vision loss and gain the skills in the activities of daily living that they will need to lead a productive and independent life.

Vocational Rehabilitation provides training, counseling and other supportive services that enable people who are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired to develop, acquire or update skills that can enable them to enter the workforce, maintain employment or become self-employed.

Eye-Health Services works to save sight and restore vision when medically possible through free vision screenings, eye health education and referrals for necessary services for children and adults.

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CBVI May Also Help With:

Registering for recorded books, newspapers and magazines; voter registration; income tax certification letters; fishing license; referrals to community-based programs and services; reduced fare applications for public transportation; and assessment for low and high technical aids, appliances and devices designed specifically to help people with vision loss.

How to Apply

For more information about services for people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind services, or to apply or refer someone for services please:

Call Toll Free: 1-877-685-8878

Call Main Number: 1-973-648-3333

Email: AskCBVI@dhs.nj.gov

Call Your Regional Service Office: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/cbvi/facilities/

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Blindness Prevention and Better Eye Health Services and Treatment Program

CBVI offers free eye health screenings throughout the state to detect vision problems.

 

Peer Support Groups for People Who Are Visually Impaired

Peer-led support groups meeting in-person and virtually throughout all 21 counties of NJ.

 

NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center

Free recorded reading materials for NJ residents of all ages who cannot read standard print or who cannot hold a book because of a visual or physical impairment. 

 

Recorded Newspapers and Magazines (Newsline for the Blind)

Free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled.

 

Other Informational Publications

Relevant CBVI informational flyers, brochures, and publications.

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The full range of CBVI services are also provided to individuals who have both hearing and vision loss or deaf blindness. Specific services for deaf-blind individuals include:

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ICanConnectNJ

This program provides various types of assistive technology and telecommunication devices to New Jersey residents who are both vision and hearing impaired. Eligibility and program guidelines can be found at https://www.icanconnect.org/how-to-apply/.

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The Support Services Providers of New Jersey Program (SSP)

SSP NJ is a consumer- driven program providing access to trained professionals that support and promote the independence of New Jersey residents who are deaf-blind. SSPs provide visual and environmental information and human guiding to help residents acclimate to their environment and make informed decisions. SSP NJ also provides support in a number of activities such as post-secondary education, household management, employment, and health and well-being. For more information about SSP NJ, visit the SSP website.