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Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey

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Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey

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Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey empowers and supports individuals with blindness and vision loss.

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey provides the only comprehensive series of programs designed for adults with profound vision loss. Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey offers a variety of vision programs, and mind and body programs that promote independence and wellness. Training and support services begin with basic skills for living independently, and range from emotional support to advanced technical training, enabling communication and engagement with the community. Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey also provides on-going enrichment programs that promote health and wellness. Small group classes meeting in a friendly environment help make these innovative programs highly effective as well as enjoyable for the participants.

11/04/2026

It’s Beyond Basics day at VLANJ! 💜

Today, we’re coming together for another opportunity to learn, connect, and build confidence via this FREE and virtual session. Living with vision loss can be different for everyone, and having a supportive community can make all the difference. Beyond Basics serves as an interactive class on the first Wednesday of each month with guest speakers and discussions centered around living fully beyond vision loss.

We’re excited to welcome our Beyond Basics participants today!

Register via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwocu-spjwjH9a87PoJdsSaC0T1iG-zLqh1 #/registration

Interested in learning more about VLANJ’s programs? Contact Trisha Ebel by emailing [email protected] or call 973-627-0055, ext. 9.

Image Description: Graphic with a gold background and the Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo centered at the top in a white pill shape. In a large circle framed in purple, a purple-tinted photo shows a smiling man in sunglasses holding a smartphone up near his face as he listens to it. Below, large purple letters read “Beyond Basics Day!” followed by “Learn. Connect. Build confidence.” and a purple banner reading “Today at VLANJ.” Purple swooshes sit at the bottom right.

11/03/2026

Election Day is today!

Every voter, including voters who are blind or have low vision, deserves to cast a private, independent ballot.

For information about accessible voting options in New Jersey, visit vote.nj.gov or contact your county clerk’s office.

For additional resources, support, and information for those living with vision loss, contact Trisha Ebel here at VLANJ via [email protected] or call (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Have you made your voice heard today?

Image description: Graphic with a purple top section and a photo below of a roll of red, white and blue “I Voted” stickers. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo sits in a white pill shape at top left. Large white letters read “Your Vote, Your Voice,” followed by a gold banner reading “Election Day, Tuesday, Nov 3” and the line “Learn about accessible voting at vote.nj.gov

11/03/2026

The clocks fell back this past weekend, which means earlier sunsets and darker evening commutes. A few simple habits can help those with vision loss to travel safely:

✅ Carry a small flashlight or keep your phone’s light handy.
✅ Wear reflective gear or bright colors so drivers can spot you.
✅ Plan your route before dark, especially to new places.

Orientation & Mobility Training here at VLANJ helps individuals living with vision loss build safe, confident travel skills for every season. Our team can also share safety strategies for your home.

To learn more, contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or call (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Image description: Photo of a person in white sneakers walking on the sidewalk with a white cane with greenery to the right. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo sits in a white pill shape at top left. Over a purple fade at the top, large white letters read “Darker Evenings, Safer Travel.” At the bottom, three tips are separated by gold lines: “Carry a small light.” “Wear reflective gear.” “Plan your route before dark."

VLANJ

10/31/2026

Thank you for such amazing support this Blindness Awareness Month! 💜

This month for our VLANJ community:

-Our Day of Giving surpassed its goal, thanks to our generous donors, Board, partners and community champions.

-On White Cane Safety Day, we celebrated the independence our Orientation & Mobility participants build every day.

-Our Bridge Program participants learned from Dr. Amy Lam of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital about the connection between vision and overall health.

-At Tech Talks, Kevin Grosu introduced our community to AppGenie, an AI companion for smartphones.
..and more!

Thank you to everyone who gave, shared, attended and supported adults living with vision loss in New Jersey and beyond this month. We’re so grateful for such an incredible community!

Want to get involved or learn about our programs? Contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Image description: Graphic with a cream background. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo is at top left, with a golden rising sun at top right. Large dark purple letters read “Grateful for Our Community” above a purple banner reading “Blindness Awareness Month.” Below is a grid of five photos with white borders: two people walking a wooded path with white canes; a smiling bearded man in a dark hoodie; Dr. Amy Lam presenting in front of a screen; a room of participants listening to a presentation beneath a colorful mural; and a smiling woman in sunglasses outdoors.

10/29/2026

Halloween is on Saturday this year, and it’s for everyone! 🎃

Whether you’re heading out to trick-or-treat or handing out candy at home, here’s how to make the night safe and welcoming for people who are blind or have low vision.

For those trick-or-treating with vision loss:

-Bring your white cane or guide dog. The skills you build in VLANJ’s Orientation & Mobility Training, like route planning and safe street crossings, work on Halloween night, too!

-Add reflective tape or a small light to your costume so drivers can see you.

-Check candy labels with a magnifier or a phone app.

VLANJ's low vision and mobile technology programs can help you find the tools that work best for you!

For welcoming every trick-or-treater:

-Keep walkways clear of decorations and cords, and well lit.

-Say hello and who you are when you open the door.

-Never pet or distract a working guide dog.

To learn about VLANJ’s programs, contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or call (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Image description: Photo of two orange jack-o’-lantern trick-or-treat buckets sitting on brick steps covered in fall leaves, next to a black iron railing. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo sits in a white pill shape at top left. Over a purple fade at the top, large white letters read “A Halloween for Everyone,” above a gold banner reading “Saturday, October 31.” At the bottom, three tips are separated by gold lines: “Bring your cane or guide dog.” “Keep walkways clear and bright.” “Never pet a working guide dog.

10/27/2026

Tomorrow night! Join us for VLANJ Tech Talks with Kevin Grosu of AppGenie.

Wednesday, October 28 at 7 PM ET on Zoom, meet AppGenie, an AI companion that helps people who are blind or have low vision complete smartphone tasks using everyday language. Kevin will give a live demo and answer all participant questions.

This program is FREE thanks to generous grant funding.

Not registered yet? There’s still time: bit.ly/VLANJ_Tech_Talks

Already registered? Check your email (and spam folder) for your Zoom link. Need help? Call (973) 627-0055 ext. 4.

Image description: Graphic with a light yellow background and the Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo at top left. Large purple letters read “Join Us Tomorrow!” above a large circular photo of Kevin Grosu, a smiling man with short brown hair and a beard. Below: “Tech Talks: AppGenie with Kevin Grosu,” a purple banner reading “Wed, Oct 28, 7 PM ET,” and “Free on Zoom, bit.ly/VLANJ_Tech_Talks.”

10/23/2026

Planning a spooky costume next week? Don’t let costume contacts haunt your eyes! 🎃

Eye health education is a big part of what we do here at Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey. Decorative contact lenses sold without a prescription can scratch the eye and cause serious infections, and in some cases, even permanent vision loss.

Keep your eyes healthy this Halloween:

✔️ All contact lenses, even costume ones, need a prescription from an eye care professional.
✔️ Never share lenses with friends or family.
✔️ Red, swollen or painful eyes? Remove the lenses and see an eye doctor right away.

Please share this with the trick-or-treaters and costume lovers in your life!

If you or someone you love is living with vision loss, VLANJ is here to help. Our programs build the skills and confidence to stay independent. Contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or call (973) 627-0055, ext. 9 to learn more.

Image Description: Graphic with a purple top half and a photo on the bottom half. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo sits in a white pill shape at top left. Gold text reads “Halloween Eye Safety,” followed by large white letters reading “Don’t Let Costume Contacts Haunt Your Eyes.” Three tips follow, each marked with a gold dot: “All contact lenses, even costume ones, need a prescription.” “Never share lenses with friends or family.” “Red, swollen or painful eyes? Remove lenses and see an eye doctor right away.” Below a curved gold line, a photo shows a person in a maroon sweater holding a smiling carved jack-o’-lantern with triangle eyes in front of a red brick wall.

10/21/2026

Our Bridge Program participants had a great day of learning!

Last week, 16 participants joined Dr. Amy Lam, OD, MS, Director of Low Vision Services at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital, for her presentation, “The Connection Between Vision, Chronic Disease and Total Wellness.”

Dr. Lam explained how eye conditions connect to overall health and why regular eye exams still matter, even for people who already experience vision loss. Thank you, Dr. Lam, for sharing your expertise with our community!

The Rutgers–VLANJ BRIDGE Program is a twelve-week learning experience run through Rutgers Medical School in collaboration with VLANJ. Through educational sessions, hands-on class rotations and one-to-one meetings with VLANJ members, medical students build empathy, understanding and practical skills for caring for people who are blind or have low vision.

BRIDGE stands for "Building, Relationships, Inclusivity, Discovery, Growth and Empathy," values that help shape a more compassionate approach to healthcare.

Want to learn more about VLANJ’s programs and resources? Contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Image Description 1: Dr. Amy Lam, wearing navy scrubs and glasses, speaks to a seated audience while holding a slide clicker. Behind her, a large screen shows the title slide “The Connection Between Vision, Chronic Disease and Total Wellness.”

Image Description 2: A wide view of a bright meeting room where about 16 people sit at long white tables, listening to Dr. Lam.

10/19/2026

It’s National Health Education Week, and your eyes have a lot to say about your overall health!

Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect your vision, and changes in your eyes can be an early sign that something else needs attention. That’s why regular eye exams matter for everyone, including people who already live with vision loss.

Three ways to protect your eyes and your health:
-Keep up with regular eye exams, even if you already have vision loss.
-Manage diabetes and high blood pressure.
-Tell your doctor about any changes in your vision right away.

VLANJ offers programs that support the health, wellness and independence of adults living with vision loss. To learn more, contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or call (973) 627-0055 ext. 9.

Image description: Graphic with a cream top section and a white bottom section. At the top, a purple banner reads “National Health Education Week, Oct 19–23.” Below it is an illustrated eye with a gold iris, followed by large purple text reading “Your Eyes Are a Window to Your Health.” Three white cards with gold borders and gold numbers list tips: “1. Keep up with regular eye exams, even if you already have vision loss.” “2. Manage diabetes and high blood pressure. Both can damage your eyes.” “3. Tell your doctor about any changes in your vision right away.” The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo is at the bottom center.

10/15/2026

Happy White Cane Safety Day!

Since 1964, October 15 has honored the white cane as a symbol of independence, and celebrated people who are blind or have low vision.

At VLANJ, our Orientation & Mobility Training helps adults who are blind or living with vision loss travel safely, independently, and with confidence. Participants work one-on-one and in small groups on route planning, street crossings, and using a white cane. Then they put those skills to work on guided outings to places like grocery stores, museums, and downtown areas.

Interested in learning more? Contact Trisha Ebel at [email protected] or (973) 627-0055 ext. 9, or visit this link: vlanj.org/programs/orientation-and-mobility-training

Image description: Photo of two people walking along a shaded, wooded path, each using a white cane with a red tip. In front, a man in a white baseball cap, round glasses and a navy vest sweeps his cane ahead of him. Behind him, a woman with long dark hair, dressed in black, does the same. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey logo sits in a white pill shape at top left. A purple circle reads “Thursday October 15.” Below the photo, on a cream background, purple text reads “Blindness Awareness Month” and “White Cane Safety Day,” followed by a purple box reading “Travel with confidence: Orientation & Mobility training at VLANJ. (973) 627-0055 ext. 9. vlanj.org

Address

201 Littleton Road, Suite 150
Morris Plains, NJ
07950

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.vlanj.org/

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