UR Community Cares

UR Vision Resources

2026 Directory of Blind & Low Vision Resources

We are traveling to senior centers, libraries, nonprofits, low vision support groups, etc., to demo devices and educate people about what is available to help people remain independent at home. We offer a variety of supports to connect people with valuable resources, host community events, and provide technology training to enhance their independence and quality of life.

Thank you to the Connecticut Community Foundation for a grant to allow us to partner with the Waterbury Senior Center for a Waterbury Eye Health Fair!

April 24th Waterbury Eye Health Fair Vendors include:
Non-24 – Sponsor
Careforth – Sponsor
MidState Arc – Sponsor
The Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind
Independence Northwest
Kennedy Collective
CT Library for Accessible Books
CT Tech Act Project
Center of the Blind / South East CT Community Center of the Blind
CT Association of the Deaf
National Federation of the Blind of CT Members
West Haven Blind Low Vision Support Group – Journey of Sight
American Council of the Blind of CT
Newsline for the National Federation Of The Blind Of CT
UR Community Cares
Western CT Area Agency on Aging
Connecticut Relay
DrugFreeCT
Cheshire Lions – Lions Low Vision Center
St. Daniels Companions

Almost 20 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, have visual impairments. Ranging from low vision to blindness, visual impairments are among the leading causes of loss of independence for people aged 65 and older.

Click here to schedule an appointment at 153 Spruce Street, Manchester, CT, to demo our vision products: https://calendly.com/urcommunitycares/

View Directory (will open Google Drive Link)

We have compiled resources in Connecticut, provided education on the Courtesy Rules of Blindness, National Federation of the Blind CT Chapters, Low Vision Support Groups in CT, Area Agency on Aging in CT, etc.

Thank you to the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven for funding to allow us to create a Directory of Blind/Vision Impaired Services and Organizations. Contact us to get a free copy of our 2025 Directory. It is available in several formats: large print in Spanish or English, an online version below, or on a flash drive.

We are deeply thankful for the grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, which will enable us to update our directory in 2025 and acquire assistive technology devices. This support enables us to train individuals in New Haven County to use these devices effectively, fostering greater independence and accessibility.

Thank you to the Connecticut Community Foundation for a new grant for UR Vision Resources program.

Join Us for Manchester’s Blind and Low Vision Support Group Meeting

Are you blind or experiencing low vision or blind? Join us for a supportive and engaging meeting where we can share resources, experiences, and build a social circle. Caregivers and people from any town are welcome to attend.

Date: Every month on 1st Tuesday of the month
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 153 Spruce Street, Manchester, CT

We look forward to seeing you there!

Click here to watch an interview with Kristen Dockendorff, who co-facilitates our meetings.

UR Vision Station in Manchester

UR Vision Station UR Community Cares created the UR Vision Station for people who are blind or have low vision. Our Executive Director created a directory filled with resources about organizations and services available in Connecticut and beyond. Assistive Device Products Available for Demonstration: Eschenbach Products: Optaro phone case, magnifiers-video, handheld, pocket, monoculars, glasses, etc. Ray-Ban Meta glasses feature two cameras, open-ear speakers, a microphone, and a touchpad integrated into the frame. We have over 30 devices to demo, including an iPad and a Lyriq (screen reader) - invite us to your office. In Manchester - Juliette 120 Embosser, CCTVs, NVHD access on laptop, etc. UR Community Cares travels around Connecticut to showcase these products, educate people the devices that are available.

In January 2025, UR Community Cares launched UR Vision Station to support residents who are blind or low vision. This free service is funded by AARP Connecticut’s Livable Communities, Manchester ARPA, and Dime Bank Foundation grants.

We are grateful for the grant funding we received from the John E. Blair Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Please read more about it here: https://www.hfpg.org/what-we-do/new-and-noteworthy/hartford-foundation-awards-nearly-240000-in-grants-to-assist-individuals-with-visual-impairments

UR Vision Station serves as a hub for assistive technology and training. Our dedicated volunteers provide hands-on assistance to help participants achieve their goals and lead independent lives.

Our technology investments feature a range of popular assistive devices. To learn more about these products, please use the provided links: Vision Table, Ruby XL HD Video Magnifier, Laptop with NVDA, UR Community Cares free large print Blind/Low Vision Resource Directories, and Eschenbach Magnifiers. We have a new Juliet embosser so we can print in braille, use CCTV’s that we will loan out to people who need them and much more!

Make an appointment to explore our devices and work with a volunteer. Call 860-430-4557 to discuss your goals.