Getting What You Need

Service Organizations

• Home | DSB - WA Dept of Services for the Blind - Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides services for people of all ages who are blind or have low vision in the state of Washington.
• HKNC: Northwest Region - Your regional representative knows all about the programs and services that are available to DeafBlind individuals, their families and service providers in your state and beyond, and can help you find and access the ones that are right for you.
• Home | Washington State School for the Blind - Every blind and low vision student in Washington has the supports and services they need to succeed.
• Birth to Three Developmental Center
• Center for Technology and Disabilities Studies
• Vision for Independence Center – Yakima
• Hope Vision Foundation – Tacoma
• Lilac Services for the Blind – Spokane and Wenatchee

Getting connected to the community

Peer Supports

• Support groups for the Greater Puget Sound area

Recreation

• Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
• ParaSport Spokane
• Outdoors for All

Low Vision Clinics

• Vancouver WA - Lions Low Vision Clinic
• Kennewick – Edith Bishel Center

Financial and Food Assistance

Financial

• Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities
• Washington State ABLE Savings Plan - A Washington State ABLE Savings Plan allows people with eligible disabilities to save for their everyday needs, invest in a tax-free account and prepare for the future without losing their state or federal benefits.

Food

• WIC Nutrition Program - Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Plan
• Food Assistance Program (FAP) - FAP is the state food assistance program that provides benefits to legal immigrants who are not eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called Basic Food in Washington, solely because of immigration status.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Basic Food - Helps people with low incomes make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food.
• Feeding America - The Feeding America network of food banks is in every county in the country. These programs help provide meals to children, seniors, families, and survivors of natural disasters.

Housing

• HUD - US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Provides resources for rental assistance, inspections, local public housing, home ownership, and rent relief.
• Community Living Connections - Helps individuals of all ages, disabilities and income levels, their caregivers, legal representatives, and families get the right home and community-based supports and services.
• DSHS Housing Assistance
• Housing Authority – regional. Assists people with low incomes get access to safe, healthy, affordable homes.
  • Seattle Housing Authority
  • Vancouver Housing Authority
  • King County Housing Authority
  • Spokane Housing Authority

Prescription assistance

• Washington Prescription Drug Program - Provides prescription information and assistance for the residents of Washington.
• Prescription Drug Assistance Foundation - Provides assistance to any Washington State resident whose prescription drug coverage is inadequate.

Insurance

• Apple Health - Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage for individuals age 65 or older or who have blindness or a disability.
• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) - Offers free Medicare counseling.

Other Resources

• Retirement Connection - Designed for Seniors, Caregivers & Providers to search more than 150+ topics of information and connect you with a quick and complete reference of providers and services. Covered by Apple Health.
• Mental Health and Community Resources Guide.pdf (windows.net) - Comprehensive Guide to mental health resources with a section that has a disability focus.