Serving the Visually Impaired of Lake and Sumter Counties, Florida Including The Villages Call 352-435-5040 if you or someone you know has a visual impairment

Blind Babies

The Blind Babies Program was established by the Florida Legislature in 2000 to provide community-based early intervention education for children from birth through five years of age who are blind or visually impaired and for their parents, families, and caregivers.

The goal of the Blind Babies program is to maximize the overall development and independence of blind or visually impaired infants and toddlers by providing direct Early Intervention Services, information, and resource to the children and their caregivers.

Services & Outcomes

Specific services from birth through age two include:

• Family involvement

• Attachment, communication, and social skills

• Childcare routines

• Motor skills, orientation and mobility

• Sensory development, touch, and hearing (compensatory skills)

• Interaction with objects (play, cognition, and concept development)

• Early literacy experiences

Specific services from age three through five include:

• Intervention with people (language, social skills and play, behavior and mannerisms)

• Early literacy experiences and learning media

• Self-care and independence

• Orientation and mobility

• Cognition and concept development

• Assessment, Individualized Education Plan (IEP), program planning and transitioning

Outcomes relating to the children's age appropriate development stages include:

• Knowledge of assistive technology

• Proficiency in daily living activities

• Ability to participate in preschool and school

• Participation in their communities

• Ability to be literate

Eligibility

There are only two criteria for eligibility:

• The presence of a bilateral visual impairment which, with best correction for that child, constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to the child's ability to learn, or function independently; and

• A reasonable expectation that the child and family can benefit from services in terms of independence, advocacy, and transition.

If you know of a baby and family that can benefit from these services, please call 352-435-5040.

All services are provided at no cost to the visually impaired participant.

Sponsored by:

        DOE/DBS and the State of Florida

        Lake County Human Services

        Community Foundation of South Lake

        2010 US Census

9501 US Hwy 441

Leesburg, FL  34788