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CVI SERVICES

Your New Journey Starts Here!

A diagnosis of loss of vision for you or a loved one has you asking, “Now what?” The Center for the Visually Impaired empowers you to move past uncertainty and take the next step. We’ve walked with thousands of people in your shoes and helped them discover what’s still possible and how to live fully with dignity and independence.

From children to seniors across the state of Georgia, we’re here to help you envision a future where you can do what you love with freedom.

Here’s what that looks like:

  • Clinical Care:Start with a low vision exam to evaluate your situation and inform your personalized plan.
  • Customized Therapy:Based on your goals, we identify the tools, resources and occupational therapy that chart a path forward for resuming your daily life.
  • Leading Tech: We help you integrate technology and assistive devices to build confidence and independence.
  • Lifelong Community:You are not alone. Connect to support groups and activity-based groups that offer relationships with people who have been through the same situation.

Open the links below to learn more about the services and support you can gain at CVI:

  • The Florence Maxwell Low Vision Clinic shows you how to make the best use of the vision you have through a low vision evaluation and consultation with an occupational therapist. The Clinic serves people age 5 and older.
  • The Adult Rehabilitation Programs & Support Services provides training in how to navigate every aspect of your life with visual impairment. From using new technology to adjusting to new routines to sharing experiences with others, CVI gives you the knowledge you need to live more independently.
  • The Pediatric Services program serves children ages 3-5 with low vision exams, occupational therapy (OT), small group sessions focused on enhancing play, and one-on-one rehabilitation.
  • The Youth Services program serves children ages 5-21 with low vision exams, independent living instruction, orientation and mobility training (O&M), technology skills, individual education plan (IEP), and braille tutoring.
  • A complete schedule and description of support groups is provided for those who may benefit from sharing the experience of vision loss with others.
  • Infolink is a bi-weekly e-newsletter serving as an information resource to promote services, seminars, events, products and organizations that may be of interest to the visually-impaired community and their families. Click the link here to subscribe.
  • CVI technology resources matches clients with tools that make a real difference, including apps available free of charge. Download our latest technology guide and schedule a low vision exam today by calling 404-875-9011.

Financial Assistance is available based on income and household size. For information about financial assistance, please see the FAQs below. You can also give us a call at 404-875-9011 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Payment for services must be made before an evaluation and/or training can begin. Clients may pay with cash, credit card or debit card. Clients may pay prior to their service in the VisAbility Store or inside the Florence Maxwell Low Vision Clinic at the check-in window.

Your insurance policy may cover all or part of the cost of a low vision exam for individuals ages five and up. Your insurance may NOT cover rehabilitation services or training related to blindness or low vision. You may fund the cost of these services yourself or apply for financial assistance.

  • Low Vision Exams.
  • Certain items in the VisAbility Store - check with store for details on qualifying items.
  • Orientation and Mobility, Independent Living Skills, Braille, Assistive Technology, and other Vision Rehabilitation Services.
  • Functional Vision Assessments for preschoolers and school age children.
  • Educational, social and enrichment programs for school age children.

Direct financial questions to CVI Client Services at 404-875-9011. Or, email Barbara Williams at bwilliams@cviga.org.

Fee reductions use a sliding scale. To apply, you must show proof of individual or household gross income from the most recent tax year.

CVI requires the following documents:

  • Federal Tax Return: Submit the first page of your tax return. It must show your total gross income and household dependents. If it is before April 15, submit the most recent tax year. If it is after April 15, submit the current tax year.
  • Clients 17 and Younger (No Tax Filing): A parent or guardian must submit a letter from the IRS. The letter must confirm non-filing status. You must also provide proof of income, such as a Social Security benefit letter.
  • Adult SSI or SSDI Recipients (No Tax Filing): Submit a benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration. The letter must match the year you request the fee reduction.
  • Medicaid Coverage: Active Medicaid counts as proof of income. It automatically approves you for financial assistance. Include your Medicaid member ID during intake so we can verify your policy.

Applicants can obtain income verification documents from the IRS or Social Security Administration.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Online:  https://www.irs.gov/individuals/transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them
By Phone: 1-844-545-5640 or for automated ordering of tax documents 1-800-908-9946.

If you are unable to complete the IRS transcript request form, you can make an appointment to visit a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center to obtain any required tax document(s), such as a Proof of Non-Filing Status letter.

Social Security Administration (SSA):
Online: www.ssa.gov/myaccount/proof-of-benefits.html
By Phone: 1-800-772-1213

Income documentation must be presented to CVI and verified before any fee discounts will be approved. CVI will accept all documents via email or they may be dropped off at the CVI building located at 739 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. If dropping off documents, please write the applicant's name on the envelope. Also, mark out all Social Security number(s) on tax or Social Security documentation. These numbers are not required for proof of income, only the applicant's full name is needed to be listed on documents.

The documentation for consideration of a fee reduction must accurately reflect the client and/or their family’s current financial situation at the time of the fee reduction request. Any attempt to mislead or conceal your true financial situation may result in the inability to apply for such discounts in the future. These requirements are intended to ensure that precious financial assistance funds go to as many clients as possible who qualify for fee reductions.

Once income verification is complete, your approved discount will be applied, and you will be contacted to schedule the initial evaluation and any subsequent training.

Our Client Services team can now arrange for translation services. This service is available in multiple languages and eliminates a meaningful barrier to receiving low vision care. Clients may request translation services by calling 404-875-9011.