January
- Glaucoma Awareness Month
https://www.glaucoma.org/news/glaucoma-awareness-month.php
- Braille Awareness Month/Braille Literacy Awareness Month
Louis Braille’s birthday is January 4th
https://www.theiris.org/news/446/37/January-is-Braille-Awareness-Month
http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/blog/celebrate-braille-literacy-month
- Application to attend Camp Dogwood Summer Camp for Blind open
https://nclionscampdogwood.org
February
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month
https://www.preventblindness.org/AMD-age-related-macular-degeneration
- Low Vision Awareness Month (AccessWorld)
https://www.afb.org/aw/19/2/15129
March
- Workplace Eye Wellness Month
https://www.preventblindness.org/protect-your-vision-job
- Save Your Vision Month
https://www.aoa.org/news/inside-optometry/save-your-vision-month-eyes-the-21st-century
April
- Sports Eye Safety Month (also observed in September)
https://www.med.unc.edu/ophth/april-is-sports-eye-safety-month-2/
https://www.preventblindness.org/september-sports-eye-safety-awareness-month-0
- National Service Animal Eye Exam – Registration
https://www.acvoeyeexam.org/#about
May
- Healthy Vision Month
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/healthy-vision-resources/healthy-vision-month
- 21st – Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
https://globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org
- U.S. Hurricane Preparedness Week – 3rd Week
https://www.personalizedcause.com/health-awareness-cause-calendar/national-hurricane-preparedness-week
Focus on preparation for people who are blind. Also see Hadley School for Blind course on Preparing for Emergencies & Disasters.
June
- Cataract Awareness Month
https://www.preventblindness.org/june-cataract-awareness-month-0
- 27th – Helen Keller Birthday
- The Blind Perspective
- Way Finding Technology
- Reading Technology
- Object recognition
July
- UV Safety Month
https://www.personalizedcause.com/health-awareness-cause-calendar/uv-safety-month
https://www.va.gov/qualityofcare/education/uv_safety_awareness_month.asp
Focus on people who are blind and the need to protect their eyes & skin from damage.
- Celebrate ADA Anniversary
ADA Anniversary Tool Kit (www.adaanniversary.org)
- Firework Eye Safety (can be observed in June)
https://flei.com/june-firework-eye-safety-month/
August
- Children’s Eye Health/Safety
https://yoursightmatters.com/august-childrens-eye-health-safety-month/
Also remember Lions do PediaVision Eye Screening for Free
- Assistive Devices Awareness (may also be held in February, September, etc.) Objective is to make people aware of the wide variety of assistive devices that are available.
September
- National Service Dog Month
https://dogtime.com/lifestyle/27981-celebrate-national-service-dog-month-september
October
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/index-2019.htm
- 15th – White Cane Safety Day
- Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Month
https://www.envisionamerica.com/medication-safety-awareness-for-the-blind-msab-month-helps-people-who-are-blind-visually-impaired/
November
- Diabetes Awareness Month
https://www.diabetes.org
Focus on Diabetes Awareness for people who are blind
December
- Safe Toys and Celebrations Month
https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/apha-calendar/2019/safe-toys-and-gifts-month-2019
(Focus on Safe Toys for Children who are blind)
also appropriate & learning toys for children who are blind
- 3rd – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Links
- Each month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology focuses its national public education and eye health awareness efforts on one or more topics
- Monthly Themes Calendar – ADA
- https://www.adaanniversary.org/month_themes
- Vision and Eye Health Awareness Calendar – FFB
- https://www.fightingblindness.org/eye-health-awareness-calendar