Resources for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Guide Dog Support
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center* (Open 24-hours)
Website: https://www.charlestonvrc.com/
Phone: 843.614.8387
Address: 3484 Shelby Ray Court, Charleston, SC 29414
Cutler Animal Hospital*, Dr. Richard Cutler
Website: http://www.cutleranimalhospital.com/
Phone: 843.637.3767
Address: 12 Farmfield Avenue, Suite B, Charleston, SC 29407
*Partners of the ABVI Guide Dog Scholarship program.
Healthcare
AccessAbility
AccessAbility provides support for individuals with a disability, including those who are blind or visually impaired.
Website: https://www.abilitysc.org/
Phone: 843.225.5080
Address: 7944 Dorchester Road, #5, North Charleston, SC 29418
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center offers a wide variety of mental health treatment services for adults, adolescents, children and families.
Website: https://www.charlestondorchestermhc.org/
Phone: 843.414.2350 (Charleston) and 843.876.5063 (Dorchester)
Address: 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd., Charleston, SC and 106 Springview Lane, Summerville, SC 29485
East Cooper Community Outreach
East Cooper Community Outreach provides medical clinics, dental clinics, prescription assistance, food pantry and clothing support.
Website: https://eccocharleston.org/
Phone: 843.416.7115
Address: 1145 Six Mile Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
ScripTalk
ScripTalk is a device that reads aloud prescription info to the user. Contact your local pharmacy or En-Vision America to learn how to get one for free.
Website: www.envisionamerica.com
Phone Number: 1.800.890.1180
Shifa Clinics
Shifa Clinics provides free medical clinics, dental clinics, vision clinics, prescription assistance, food pantry and clothing support.
Website: https://shifaclinics.com/
Phone: 843.352.4580
Address: 1092 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 108, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Welvista
Welvista provides prescription assistance for uninsured South Carolina residents.
Application: https://www.welvista.org/wp-content/uploads/2019-Application-Packet-English.pdf
Website: https://www.welvista.org/
Phone: 1.800.983.9184
Low Vision Aids
Low vision aids include a variety of devices that can increase magnification for everyday tasks. We have a selection of low vision aids, such as magnifiers, for sale in our office. Clients can sit down with one of our staff members to try out different options to ensure they pick the device most suitable to their needs. For a full list of items, please contact Ruthie Harman at 843.410.1058 or rharman@abvisc.org.
Examples of items for sale:
- 20/20 Pen (a bold writing pen that makes it easier to see the print)
- Braille Pill Organizer
- Bump Dots (Bump Dots are raised dots with an adhesive backing that make it easier for someone to quickly identify an item by touch. They are often used to mark appliances, keyboards, remotes, telephones and more.)
- Kitchen Safety Items (knife protector, oven mitts, etc.)
- Large Print Address Book
- Signature Guide
- Talking Alarm Clark or Watch
- White Cane
Below are several websites where you can view some of these items:
https://www.independentliving.com/
OrCam
ABVI is an official retailer for OrCam. OrCam creates wearable technology devices for the blind and visually impaired that reads text, recognizes faces, identifies products and much more. ABVI staff can help a blind or visually impaired individual identify if this technology is a fit for them. To learn more visit, https://www.orcam.com/en/.
Low Vision Doctors
David W. Bang, OD
Website: http://www.drdavidwbang.com/
Phone: 843.764.3030
Address: 9565 Highway 78, Building 900, Ladson, SC 29456
James F. Hill, OD, MUSC Storm Eye Institute
Website: https://muschealth.org/
Phone: 843.792.2020
Address: 167 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425 and 1600 Midtown Avenue, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Michael Zolmon, OD, Infinity Eye Care & Low Vision Rehabilitation
Website: http://www.myinfinityeyecare.com/
Phone: 843.795.6464
Address: 325 Folly Road, Suite 109, Charleston, SC 29412
South Carolina Commission for the Blind
The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) helps blind and visually impaired residents in our state gain independence and take advantage of opportunities for financial advancement. SCCB provides the following programs: Vocational Rehabilitation*, Children Services and Older Blind.
SCCB also coordinates monthly low vision clinics in Charleston. For information on these clinics, contact Jenny Bond at 803.898.8829 or jenny.bond@sccb.sc.gov.
Website: http://www.sccb.state.sc.us/
Phone: 888.335.5951
Headquarters Address: 1430 Confederate Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201
Charleston Office Address: 1064 Gardner Road, Suite 109, Charleston, SC 29407
Transportation
CARTA Tel-A-Ride (Charleston County)
Tel-A-Ride, a public transportation option, is for Charleston County residents who cannot travel without assistance or have mobility challenges that prevent them from getting to and from bus stops. Tel-A-Ride serves all of the Charleston peninsula as well as portions of James Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms and North Charleston. You must complete an application to be considered for Tel-A-Ride.
Application: https://www.ridecarta.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/tel-a-ride-application.pdf
Website: https://www.ridecarta.com/
Phone: 843.747.0007
Address: 3664 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
TriCounty Link (Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties)
TriCounty Link is a public transportation option that serves Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. If an individual has a disability or condition that prevents them from using the TriCounty Link flag-stop bus system, they can apply to be considered for ADA Deviated Link Service.
Application: http://ridetricountylink.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/TCLADADeviatedRouteApplication.pdf
Website: https://ridetricountylink.com/
Phone: 843.899.4096
Address: 305 Heatley Street, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Senior Companion Program
A Senior Companion can provide companionship, friendly visiting, monitoring, assistance with light housework and respite care for the main caregiver.
Website: *This service is currently unavailable due to COVID-19*
Phone: 843.722.4127
Address: 259 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Miscellaneous Resources
South Carolina State Library – Talking Books
Website: http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/
Phone: 800.922.7818 (Talking Books direct line)
Address: 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Information on Navigating College with a Visual Impairment
Website: Navigating College with Visual Impairments (collegeconsensus.com)
Upcoming Webinars
Stay tuned for additional dates and webinars!
Past Webinars
Topic: Self Advocacy
Presenter: Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
Video: https://youtu.be/SmCBBQ1cLWk
Topic: Tips for Staying Busy
Presenter: Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Video: https://youtu.be/XxSVCTDg5qY
Topic: Managing Emotions
Presenter: Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Video: https://youtu.be/i7Y-Up-SP6A
Topic: This week’s webinar will be combined with our monthly Client Connections’ Interactive Cooking Class.
Presenters: Graze Chef Stephen Harman will answer cooking questions and Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina will give kitchen safety tips.
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/928E-v7kyFQ
Topic: Training, tips and tools for navigating COVID-19 with a visual impairment
Presenter: Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/_tMoDaKivu8
Topic: Orientation and Mobility tips for the pandemic
Presenter: Samantha McGovern, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Low Vision Therapist, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina
Date & Time: This webinar took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/2CiAEpQIV8Y

Photo Description: ABVI’s Certified O&M Instructor Samantha McGovern will be leading ABVI’s webinars. She’s pictured here with ABVI client Rosalyn.