In 1953, Norman Kaplan and a group of dedicated volunteers founded Junior Blind of America (formerly known as Foundation for the Junior Blind) to provide recreational services for children who were blind or visually impaired.
In 1958, Henry Bloomfield gave Junior Blind access to a 40-acre campsite in Malibu, California. Since then, Camp Bloomfield has served as a year-round residential camp for youth who were blind or visually impaired and their families.
In the 1960s, Junior Blind acquired eight acres in the Windsor Hills area of Los Angeles, and expanded services to include educational and residential programs for young people who were blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled.
In the 1970s, to meet growing community needs, Junior Blind founded Southern California's only residential rehabilitation program for adults who were blind or visually impaired.
In the 1980s, founder Norman Kaplan retired and Robert Ralls joined as the new President and CEO. Junior Blind introduced an in-home program for infants who had visual impairments and other disabilities.
In the 1990s, Junior Blind remodeled its campus to include state-of-the-art facilities education and rehabilitation and also extended services to incorporate greater family participation.
In the 2000s, Junior Blind launched a program dedicated to serving the educational and career goals of teens and young adults who were blind or visually impaired. Additionally, Junior Blind’s adult program expanded services to reach Veterans who are blind or visually impaired. In 2006, Bob Ralls retired and Miki Jordan joined to lead the organization as the President and CEO.
In 2008 Junior Blind of America launched three new programs to meet the emerging needs of current students and the community.
To identify and prevent potential vision problems among our youth, Junior Blind launched a Vision Screening Program to provide free vision tests to thousands of low income pre-school and elementary-school children.
Furthermore, to give youth the opportunity to take part in fun and educational activities, while learning about the importance of physical fitness and healthy nutrition, Junior Blind developed an After School Enrichment Program, integrating sighted children with those who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled.
Additionally, to meet the ongoing needs of children ages 3-6 and their families, Junior Blind launched the Early Childhood Program (ECP) – a program that provides children with essential support to help maximize developmental progress and successful transition into the special education public school system.
| 
