Disability & Long-Term Care · Surprise rank #247
Child Is Blind or Severely Visually Impaired? NY's Commission for the Blind Has a Children's Services Program
The New York State Commission for the Blind provides specialized services for eligible children who are blind or severely visually impaired.
Who
Children who meet New York State Commission for the Blind vision and program eligibility criteria.
What to do
Start here: Contact or submit a referral to the New York State Commission for the Blind and ask for the Children's Program assessment.
Eligibility: The child must meet NYSCB eligibility requirements and complete the agency's referral/assessment process.
What you get
Children's services can coordinate individualized supports that promote development, education, mobility and independence for eligible young people with significant vision loss.
Benefit: Specialized blindness-related services and coordination that families might otherwise have to find or purchase separately.
Possible value: Varies by the child's individualized needs; this is not a fixed cash benefit.
Good to know
Important: Services are individualized and this is not an unrestricted cash or equipment grant. The exact supports depend on assessment and program eligibility.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Families may work only through school special education and not realize a separate state blindness agency can provide additional specialized support.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026