See What You've Been Missing at VisAbility!       

View media coverage from the VisAbility store grand opening celebration!

CVI has opened VisAbility—a nonprofit, accessible, street-level retail shop catering to the needs of people of all ages that have vision loss. The only store of its kind in the Southeast, VisAbility provides immediate access to low vision aids, assistive technology and other adaptive devices that will allow people with vision loss to maintain independent lifestyles. VisAbility is located on the first floor of CVI's Midtown Atlanta facility.

For Georgians with vision loss who need aids and devices in order to navigate daily life, getting those life-changing items can be a problem. Historically, products such as bold-lined paper, video magnifiers and other vision aids were ordered through print or online catalogs—a challenge for many people with vision loss. It's not like you can walk into a store, get expert advice and have opportunities to "try before you buy." That has changed!

VisAbility Products

VisAbility carries useful items that promote independent living for people of all ages with vision loss. Ranging from practical household gadgets to whimsical toys for kids to accessible computer equipment for school or work, VisAbility has something for everyone.

VisAbility’s inventory has been carefully selected with the help of focus groups of people who are visually impaired and their family members as well as input from vision rehabilitation professionals at the Center for the Visually Impaired. Inventory will change regularly to meet the needs of VisAbility guests. We’re always interested in our guests’ needs, so please let us know if you can’t find what you’re looking for at VisAbility.

More than 750 VisAbility products are available in the following departments:

• Assistive Technology
• Books, DVD, VHS and Audio Tapes
• Braille Items
• Canes, Cane Tips and Accessories
• Children’s Products – Cards, Games and Toys
• Watches and Clocks
• Low Vision Items – Eyewear, Magnifiers and Lamps
• Home Health Care and Medical Aids
• Kitchen and Cooking Aids
• Labeling, Marking and Identification Aids

A New Way to Shop for Vision Products

VisAbility gives guests the opportunity to shop by touch and auditory information for hundreds of items previously unavailable in Atlanta. Need a braille watch? At VisAbility, you can see how various styles fit before you purchase one. Looking for a talking kitchen timer, calculator or blood pressure monitor? At VisAbility, you can listen to it and learn how it works before you decide to buy. Trying to decide which magnifier is best for you? VisAbility will offer a full range of magnification products. If needed, CVI’s professional staff can help you understand what products will help you meet your goals. Through CVI’s low vision clinic and many specific training classes, guests can learn how to use items they would like to purchase at VisAbility.

VisAbility offers frequent product demonstrations including assistive technology products such as video magnifiers, software including JAWS and Zoomtext, and GPS tracking systems.

Meet the VisAbility Team

Director

Penny Williams, an accomplished professional with more than 20 years of retail experience, has spent the past six months at CVI planning to give consumers who are visually impaired an accessible shopping experience at VisAbility. Prior to joining CVI, Penny worked for seven years with Turner Broadcasting, where her accomplishments included the launch of The Inside CNN Store in New York, renovations of The Turner Store at CNN Center in Atlanta, and oversight of daily operations for both stores.

Assistant Manager

Lisa Pope brings more than 17 years of work experience to VisAbility, including the management of four gift and specialty stores at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and most recently, two and a half years as a sales associate with a major jewelry retailer. Lisa also has experience in marketing and event planning.

VisAbility Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.