Education is an absolute necessity for every child regardless of their challenges, and this also goes for special kids. There are several California school for the blind that supports students and encourages them to become better academically.
Finding the right school for your child will provide them the opportunity to thrive in the future. Most of these schools offer residential and day programs, and counseling classes.
Looking for the best California School for the Blind can be time-consuming because most of these schools offer similar and unique programs. However, in this overview, we will provide you with some of the best Califonia schools for the blind and everything you need to know about them.
Related: Best Schools For Nursing In Canada
Table of Contents
BEST 13 CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND
Here are some of the best California schools for the blind:
1. CALIFORNIA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
The California school for the blind offer classes for students with visual impairments. The school offers students ages 3 to 21 or elementary through high school the opportunity to learn in an environment that welcomes them and suits their needs.
The California School for the Blind was founded in 1860. The school’s population is made up of 48% female students and 52% male students. The number of students enrolled is 82.
The California School for the Blind has a reputation for successfully educating students who are visually impaired. It boasts of 10% of students who scored above the proficient level for math and 30% who scored above the average level for reading. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 5.
The school follows a nationally accepted curriculum for students who are blind or visually impaired, it includes skills training in Braille reading and writing, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, career education, physical education, independent living, music, art, and more.
Related: Best Schools For Nursing In Colorado
2. BRAILLE INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES CENTER
Established in 1912, Braille Institute Los Angeles Center is a notable private non-profit organization that serves individuals with visual impairment. The school offers free services to the blind and visually impaired, which teaches them how to get around safely and confidently despite vision loss.
Braille Institute is one of the best California schools for the blind. Their services include a broad range of educational, social, and recreational classes for adults free early intervention services for children, access to free braille books and storybook kits, and a summer reading program.
Braille Institute offers a special program for youth “The Braille Challenge” which promotes the importance of braille literacy among elementary through high school students, a program that is highly recognized throughout the United States and the United Kingdom with over 800 blind and visually impaired youth participate annually. These services and programs are free.
Related: Top Christian University In Canada
3. LOS ANGELES BLIND CHILDREN’S CENTER
Los Angeles blind children’s Center is a California school for the blind. This organization provides education services education programs, and support to meet the special needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.
The Los Angeles blind children’s Center is a non-profit organization, founded in 1938 and serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are blind.
The Los Angeles blind children’s Center provides an early Head Start home visiting program that serves children from birth to three years old and pregnant women. The toddler program serves blind or visually impaired children from 18 months to three years old. They placed toddlers in inclusive classrooms with children of ALL abilities and immersed in daily routines and activities that improve their social skills, pre-literacy skills, and health and physical development.
The preschool serves children from 3 to 5 years old and provides comprehensive early childhood education. They offer specialized services, which include individual classroom adaptations and supports, sensory development, speech/language development, and orientation and mobility.
Related: Best culinary schools in Australia
4. BEYOND BLINDNESS
Beyond Blindness, formerly known as blind children’s learning center is a non-profit organization with the mission to empower children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential.
Beyond Blindness was founded in 1962 by six blind individuals who recognized that services to help the blind and visually impaired were critically needed and will date, beyond blindness is recognized as the leading accredited organization for children with visual impairments and other disabilities. The school serves children from ages 0-22 and provides counseling services and transitional and individualized education plan (IEP) support.
Beyond Blindness is a Califonia school for the blind that provides high standard educational support and services including early intervention, education + enrichment, and support, which all aim to help children no matter their abilities, live rewarding lives.
Related: The Best Dental Schools In Canada
5. SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR THE BLIND
San Diego Center for the Blind is a nationally recognized community center that offers a variety of programs and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. It is a California school for the blind.
The center provides services for adults with impaired or changing vision, such as rehab, counseling, training and skill development, low vision services, and assistive technology. They also offer a job training program that is designed to prepare you for jobs through their training and connects you with potential employers.
The mission of the San Diego Center for the Blind is to increase the abilities of adults with blindness or vision impairment to reach their own highest level of independence.
The assistive technology course offered at the San Diego Center for the Blind is designed for those who are visually impaired to learn to use devices like talking watches, screen readers, and magnifiers.
Related: Best Flight Schools In Canada
6. LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Founded in 1902, The Lighthouse for the blind and the visually impaired is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization that promotes the independence, equality, and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. It is the oldest Northern California school for the blind.
The school offers business skills training and relevant services such as access to employment, counseling, and physiological services, Blind and Low vision classes, and more. Some programs offered by LightHouse include training on cutting-edge accessible technology, how to move independently and gracefully with a cane, social and recreational activities, as well as science, math, music, and many other camps for the blind youth and adults.
The school also has a deaf-blind training program for those who are both deaf and blind. They designed it for active adults 21 and older. Classes include traditional camp activities (such as swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and recreation), nd Nighttime program highlights (such as dancing to loud music, games, and socials)
Related: List of Best Cooking Schools in Italy
7. VALLEY CENTER FOR THE BLIND
Established in 1973, The Valley Center for the blind is a non-profit organization that focuses on assisting and improving the lives of people with vision loss. They support, train, and employ people who are blind or have low vision. It is one of the best California schools for the blind.
Valley Center for the Blind is inspired and dedicated to providing people with vision loss with a safe and engaging place to find support and high-level training programs. The center offers recreation activities, rehabilitation courses, and education.
The rehabilitation core courses offered at VCB are a combination of assistive technology, independent living skills, Braille, and orientation and mobility. They also provide education and training, and business and industry. Each participant’s program is customized to meet their individual goals, abilities,, and preferences.
Related: Best Dental Schools In Australia
8. VISTA CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
The Vista Center For The Blind And Visually Impaired provides blind Californians with a variety of programs and services to teach them the necessary skills like how to travel with the use of a cane, how to live independently, and how to use assistive technology. The class teaches and empowers you to embrace life to the fullest through evaluation, counseling, education, and training.
The Vista Voyager program at Vista Center is a youth program designed to build character, confidence, and independence in students through educational and fun community events. The program teaches children how to properly use assistive technology, independent living skills, and safe travel techniques.
The Vista center for the blind and visually impaired also provides low vision clinic services, adaptive living skills training, guidance and orientation, assistive technology training, and travel training: orientation and mobility.
Related: Best Flight Schools In Australia
9. WAYFINDER FAMILY SERVICES
Wayfinder Family Services, formerly known as junior blind is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, and adults with vision loss or profound special needs. The center strives for a world in which every family and child can thrive and overcome their challenges.
Since 1953, Wayfinder Family Services has consistently provided high-quality programs and services to give blind and visually impaired children the opportunities they need to lead rewarding and independent lives.
Wayfinder Family Services offers a wide range of programs, including an infant and early childhood program, a special education school, a children’s residential program, a vision screening program, and an after-school enrichment program. Its services include assistive technology training, the Davidson program for independence, employment services, mental health services, and transition services.
Related: Best Flight School In Ireland
10. BLINDNESS SUPPORT SERVICES INC.
Blindness Support Services is a California school for the blind. The school is a social services organization in Riverside California that is dedicated to teaching those who are blind or visually impaired to become more independent and adapt to the challenges they have.
Blindness support services offers a variety of services including travel training, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, Braille, independent living skills, department of older adults and children department.
The Department of Older Adults is an in-home program designed for seniors with visual impairments. Services include Basic orientation and mobility training, basic adaptive technology and assistive technology training, activities of daily living and adjustment to blindness, and self-advocacy. The children’s department prepares blind or visually impaired children ages 0-5 to enter kindergarten.
Related: Best Dental Schools In New York
11. BRAILLE INSTITUTE ANAHEIM CENTER
Braille Institute Anaheim Center is an organization that focuses on individualized support and services to people with low vision or vision loss. The center strives for a world where every family and child can overcome their challenges.
Braille Institute Anaheim Center offers three varieties of classes depending on the class offering: on-site, remotely online, and at time hybrid class. The school also provides music, cooking, reading and writing, Braille reading and writing, life skills, and independent living skills services.
Its music classes can help students gain new skills and build upon past experiences with music and with subjects including performance, theory and analysis, and digital production. Its cooking classes provide students with simple adaptive techniques to be able to live independently and be more confident.
Related: Best Dental Schools In New Zealand
12. EAST BAY CENTER FOR THE BLIND
The East Bay Center for the blind is an organization that offers services and social activities to a diverse group of people who are blind or visually impaired.
The East Bay Center for the blind offers a variety of programs and services, such as adaptive computer usage with JAWS, iPhone class, Braille instruction, Exercise and movement class, meditation, special computer support, and ceramics class. The center offers counseling and support groups for those who are struggling with loss of vision. The center also offers technology training course where those who are visually impaired learn to use assistive technologies.
Related: List Of The Best Military Schools For Boys
13. HATLEN CENTER FOR THE BLIND
Hatlen Center for the Blind is a residential program that teaches those who are blind or visually impaired to live independently. Students receive training in their own Hatlen apartment and learn to live on their own. It is one of the best California schools for the blind.
The Hatlen Center (Residential for the visually impaired) is part of the Wayfinder family service. In this immersive residential rehabilitation program, students receive one-on-one individualized instruction in daily living skills, assistive technology, braille, orientation and mobility, finance management, and pre-vocational skills. The Hatlen Center curriculum is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND?
Some of the best schools for the blind include California School for the Blind, Braille Institute Los Angeles Center, Los Angeles Blind Children’s Center, Beyond Blindness, San Diego Center For the Blind, LightHouse For The Blind and Visually Impaired, Valley Center For The Blind and more.
CAN A BLIND PERSON STUDY IN CALIFONIA?
Yes! A blind person can study in California. There are several California schools for the blind in the United States. Most of these schools are focused on providing support and encouragement to students who needs special care.
DOES CALIFONIA PAY DISABLED PEOPLE?
Yes! Disabled people can receive the Monthly disability benefits provided to help special people.
CONCLUSION
Califonia hosts several schools for the blind. These schools offer small and individualized classes, which may help the needs of special students. Finding the best school for your child can set them up for success in the future. We hope this article helps you decide the best option for your child/ward.
REFERENCE
- usnews.com
- Blindresources.org
- Wikipedia.org