Raising a Blind Child in New York City

Great Educational Opportunities

• In New York City, parents of blind children have options for their education. Lavelle School for the Blind, in the Bronx, offers specialized education to children ages 3 to 21. Programs include academics, life skills training and vocational education. New York Institute for Special Education, also in the Bronx, serves children from preschool age through 21 years of age, offering a variety of programs, including a preschool readiness program and career-oriented technology training. While some students transition into public school from schools for the blind, others skip specialized schools altogether, going directly into the New York City public school system. Through the Education Vision Services program, blind students have access to supportive programs, including orientation and mobility education and technology, Braille, and compensatory techniques training, enabling independence and full participation in all aspects of school life, academic and social.

Supportive Network of Services

• A parent of a blind child in New York City has access to a supportive network of services. This network includes child-centered services and those designed for parents, helping them to cope and to develop the skills they need to parent successfully. The New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped both provide directories of available services. Among these are services offered through the Jewish Guild, including counseling to help families work through the emotional and psychological issues related to blindness, programs that connect parents of children with similar conditions, and support for blind teens going to college. Libraries for the blind are available, as are a selection of practical skills programs providing preparation for independent living. Parent support groups are also offered.

More Active Social Life

• Childhood friends aren't just about having fun. According to ̶0;Life-Span Human Development,̶1; by Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. Rider, the friendships of childhood serve important developmental purposes. The relationship and intimacy skills children learn through these friendships are those they'll need for satisfying, healthy, adult, romantic relationships. In smaller places, it can be more difficult for a blind child to develop these necessary friendships. In New York City, the sheer number of people increases the opportunity to make friends. If a child has trouble making friends in school, plenty of other options exist. The Metropolitan Museum has a regular art program for blind kids from 5 to 17 years of age, and it's free. Many area centers for the blind have regular activities for children, such as the Visions after-school and summer programs.

Increased Independence, Freedom of Movement

• In smaller cities and rural areas, it can be difficult for a blind child to get around on his own. Living in New York City, with its organized public transportation system, means a blind teen doesn't have to be taken everywhere by his parents. Once a child has successfully completed all necessary mobility training, demonstrated mastery over essential skills and attained sufficient maturity, it's time to start allowing some freedom of movement and independence, like going on outings with reliable friends. It's an important part of their adolescent development. Resist the urge to let your own fears and worries hold a capable child back. Part of raising children is allowing and encouraging them to use and hone the skills you've worked so hard to teach.