Difficulties registering for the Covid-19 Vaccine? ACBVI can help.

The Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) is ready to make sure people with vision loss or combined vision and hearing loss (CVHL) are able to register for Covid-19 vaccinations to ensure that everyone who is eligible has access to the immunizations. 

 The mission of ACBVI is to help Arizonans with vision loss adapt and live full and satisfying lives at home and work. This grant is an extension of their mission, and their professionally trained staff are trying to reach as many people as possible by offering individualized, personal assistance.

 Because each situation is unique, ACBVI is flexible in the support it will provide whether that means navigating the online or phone registration system or helping connect applicants with resources for assistance in transportation to the vaccination site.  Additionally, ACBVI is able to communicate in American Sign Language. 

 ACBVI also produced materials to explain what to expect through each step of the process and provide information on resources for accomodations at the vaccination sites.

Steve Welker, ACBVI board chair, who is blind as the result of a car accident, is no stranger to the difficulties of navigating an online registration system. "Everyday situations that most people take for granted can already become very complicated for the blind," he says. "We want to make sure that being blind or visually impaired doesn't prevent anyone from being able to protect themselves from this virus." 

 In order to be eligible for vaccination, you must fall into the current phase as defined by age, profession or location by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).  Disabilities alone do not currently meet the eligibility requirements.

 ACBVI is asking for the public to help in sharing this information with anyone in Arizona who might need assistance.  The fastest way to receive registration assistance is via email, established just for this purpose (vaccine@acbvi.org), but if necessary, people who need help can call 602-273-7411. 

This program is made possible in Maricopa County thanks to a grant from the Valley of the Sun United Way, and throughout Arizona thanks to a grant from Season for Sharing.

Vaccine Registration Assistance:

Email:  vaccine@acbvi.org

Phone: 602-273-7411