Local meetings for people with vision impairment and supporters

Picture of a man with a white cane standing in between two women amongst a crowd

All Support Groups:

In locations throughout Maine, support groups invite people with vision impairment or blindness and their partners/family/friends to connect, network, and share resources! Members discuss how to overcome challenges (big and small), as they mentor, and support one another by listening and offering encouragement. Discussions are confidential and members are welcome to talk of other struggles besides vision loss as it affects other aspects of life. Speakers present on topics relevant to vision loss and aging and time is allotted for open conversation and questions.

The Dover Low Vision Group: 

DAY:               1st Friday of each month
TIME:             10am-11:30am
PLACE:           Central Hall Commons,  Dover-Foxcroft
CONTACT:      Nancy – (207) 564-0036
Employees of Maine’s Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) also attend to provide information and access to services.
More Information and schedule for the Dover Low Vision Group 

New – Damariscotta Region Support Group:

DAY:                2nd Thursday of each month (starting July 2025)
TIME:              10:00 – 11:30
PLACE:           Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta
CONTACT:    Ginger Kutsch at 207-563-6098

A new peer-led support group for people who are blind or low vision is starting up in the Damariscotta region. The group, led by a local blind couple, will offer a safe environment where members can share their experiences about living and coping with vision loss.

Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) Sharing:

DAY:                2nd Wednesday of each month
TIME:              10:30am
PLACE:           Oxford Lanes Bowling Alley – Route 2 – Rumford, ME
CONTACT:      Phil – (207) 562-8724
Meetings are followed by a lunch in the area.
More Information and schedule for the VIP Sharing Group

Visually Impaired Support Team Alliance (VISTA):

DAY:               1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
TIME:              7:00 – 8:30 PM
PLACE:           ZOOM (includes a call-in number as well)
CONTACT:     Linda Richards – (207) 872-5930 (home), (207) 680-0290 (cell) or email Linsue1313@gmail.com
More Information and schedule for the VISTA Group 

VIST Education and Support Group for Veterans

Date:              3rd Thursday of each month
Time:             10:30am-12pm
Place:             This is a virtual group on Webex.  Participants have the option to join by phone or video
Contact:         Amy Tague, Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator for VA Maine, (207) 623-8411, ext. 5944
This is a closed group for veterans enrolled in the VA Maine VIST program.
VA Blind Rehabilitation Services page

The Lewiston Auburn Support Group:

DAY:               1st Saturday of each month
TIME:              noon-1pm
PLACE:           George’s Pizza – 563 Center Street – Auburn, ME
CONTACT:      Leon – (207) 212-1455
More Information and schedule for the Lewiston Auburn Support Group 

A Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) group in Boothbay Harbor:

DAY:                1st Tuesday of each month (Except April)
TIME:              1pm-2:30pm
PLACE:           Community Center (Meadow Mall) – 185 Townsend Ave – Boothbay Harbor, ME
CONTACT:      Joan – (207) 633-2498
There is no meeting in July.
More Information and schedule for the VIP group in Boothbay Harbor 

Bangor Low Vision Support Group:

DAY:                2nd and 4th Monday of each month
TIME:              1pm-2:30pm
PLACE:           Career Center – 45 Oak Street – Suite #3 – Bangor, ME
CONTACT:      Sue
Sessions are led by Maine’s Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) or The Iris Network staff, addressing participants’ areas of interest where members share their experiences and needs.
More Information and schedule for the Bangor Low Vision Support Group 

The Sunshine Club:

DAY:               1st Tuesday of each month
TIME:              11am-1:00pm
PLACE:           Eric’s Restaurant & Catering – 105 College Ave – Waterville, ME
CONTACT:      Betty – (207) 872-2967 or (207) 557-5181
More Information and schedule for the Sunshine Club 

The Rainbow Club:

DAY:               2nd Monday of each month
TIME:             10am
PLACE:          Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church – 209 Eastern Ave – Augusta, ME
CONTACT:     Donna – (207) 248-2661
Lunch cost is $7.00
More Information and schedule for the Rainbow Club 

Dual Sensory Impairment – NFB Chapter Information for Maine

DAY:               2nd Thursday of each month (except summer months)
TIME:             7:00-8:30pm
PLACE:          FREE via phone conference
CONTACT:     Dana – (207) 239-1227 (leave a message and she will call you back) or duelsense@gmail.com
More Information and schedule for the Dual Sensory Impairment Group

Maine Bowlers Association:

DAY:               2nd & 4th Saturday of each month
TIME:             10:00am
PLACE:          1-7-10 Bowling – Augusta, ME
CONTACT:     Rolf – (207) 215-372 

Spectrum Accessibility

CONTACT:     (844) 762-1301 

Spectrum accessible products: audible TV guide for customers, Roku’s audio guide with Spectrum TV application and large print remotes.

Talking Books Program

CONTACT:     (800) 762-7106

Federally-funded program which provides recorded books and special players free to persons who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped, or who have a doctor-certified reading disability.