Early Intervention ‘Blind Babies’ Program

Our mission is to teach young children with visual impairments and their parents the skills that will prepare the children for school and a life of independence.

Our hope is that our youngest students participate in all of the childhood experiences that help build confident and competent adults.

Girl with Braille book

Our Students

Infants and toddlers, from birth to age three and preschoolers, from 4 to 6 who are blind or severely visually impaired.

Getting to Know You

Each child’s vision, strengths and needs are unique. After a thorough evaluation, an individualized teaching plan is designed with age-appropriate skill building activities.

Our Primary Objectives:

• The child will improve functional vision and/or blindness skills
• The child will be prepared to enter school alongside non-disabled children in the community
• Parents will understand how blindness affects development and learn how to create an enriching learning environment in their home
• Families will participate in community activities

Instruction

Teaching begins in the child’s most natural environment – at home – using everyday activities that will help the child to develop the concepts that help to understand the world around them and learn the skills they will need to achieve developmental milestones.

For children who have some sight, parents learn ways to stimulate their vision to develop it to the maximum capability.

Parents learn how to continue teaching their children on their own along with how to adapt the home for the child’s ease of mobility, learning, and safety.

The Conklin Center loans age appropriate toys and equipment to families to continue skill building between home visits.

In the Community

We regularly organize interactive field trips to introduce the children into the community and social situations. These events also provide opportunities for parents to share information and concerns with one another.

History

The Early Intervention Program was established in 2000 to provide services where none existed in Brevard, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia Counties to children who are blind or severely visually impaired and their families.