With heavy hearts, we formally announce the closure of the Edith Bishel Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in August 2024. Due to ongoing factors, we are no longer able to keep our doors open.
We are honored to have served, for nearly 30 years, the blind and visually impaired of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. We have shared many days of joy and sorrow with those whose lives have been touched by vision loss. From the sorrow and grief of first learning about the loss to the joy of finding something that helped make their lives more independent and enjoyable. We thank you for the all those opportunities through the years.
List of resources:
Low Vision Evaluations -
Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon-Dr. Laura Winkel O.D. (over 15
years doing low vision rehab for the Edith Bishel Center) 509-736-0710
7131 W. Deschutes Ave. St# 101 Kennewick, WA 99336
Central Washington– Vision for Independence Center 509-452-8301
311 N. 4th St. Yakima, WA 98901
Vocational Rehab –
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, Yakima, WA (dsb.wa.gov)
509-454-7626
Oregon Commission for the Blind 888-202-5463
Low Vision Occupational Therapy-
Tera Ingram and Laura Alley at the Kadlec Healthplex Richland, WA.
509-942-2660 ext. 5187. (Must have referral from P.C.P. or O.D.)
Social Support and Advocacy-
United Blind of the Tri-Cities-Frank Cuta, Chapter President, 509-967-2658
Yakima Valley Council of the Blind-Sally Mayo at 509-949-7034
United Blind of Walla Walla - Joleen Ferguson at 509-386-6479
In-Home Services -
Washington State Independent Living Program for each county 206-906-5500
Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living Pendleton 541-276-1037
Orientation and Mobility Training-
Doug Trimble, WA State certified trainer 360-909-0833
National Library of Congress
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library 800-542-0866 (wtbbl.org)
Oregon Talking Book and Braille Library 800-452-0292 (oregon.gov/library)
Aids and Devices–
General aids and appliances:
LS& S Products (lssproducts.com) 800-468-4789
Maxi Aids (maxiaids.com) 800-522-6294
Independent Living Aids (independentliving.com) 800-537-2118
Distributors of Video Magnifiers and other devices:
Leading Edge Vision (leadingedgevision.com) 208-818-1553
Vision Matters (visionmatters.net) 253-264-3918
