Since 1965, Junior Blind's Children's Residential Program has provided hundreds of children with special needs with a loving home away from home. Junior Blind is leveraging its expertise by opening group homes for residents of all ages who face multiple physical, emotional, developmental and/or medical challenges. Each home will house six children, transition-age youths (16-22) or adults. Residents do not need to be blind or visually impaired to be admitted, as the program will be integrated.

In our last issue of Perspectives, we described early implications of using Apple iPads in early intervention services provided by our Infant & Early Childhood Program.

Since then, Junior Blind launched a study to investigate the use of the Apple iPad to strengthen or initiate visual engagement, parental interaction, communication, visual attentiveness, reaching and/or activation for children with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities.

Congratulations and best wishes to Judith Harris who is retiring from Junior Blind after 23 years of dedicated service in our Infant & Early Childhood Program.

When Judith first arrived at Junior Blind, she knew she had found the right place for her. “I knew right away that I belonged at Junior Blind. It was my dream to retire from here, and now my dream has come true,” says Judith.

According to Judith, it was Junior Blind’s commitment to helping children and families with special needs that drew her in.

Highlights from Recent Activities at Junior Blind

Junior Blind Staff Nominated for POSB Awards
Two staff members from Junior Blind were nominated for the Principals of Schools for the Blind (POSB) awards. Judith Humes from our Special Education School was nominated for the Outstanding Paraprofessional working with Visually Impaired Students and Laurie Johnson of our Infant & Early Childhood Program was nominated for the Outstanding Outreach Professional. Although neither was selected for an award, their nominations show their extraordinary commitment to the children we serve.

At first glance, you would never know that Joshua was once a student of Junior Blind's infant program. Mainstreamed at school, he recently made the principal's honor roll, achieved perfect attendance, won a gold medal in a karate state competition and learned to play the piano.

Eight years old now, he was only one when he was first referred to Junior Blind by Harbor Regional Center. His condition, Oculo-Auriculo-Vertebral Syndrome, meant Joshua had several areas of concern, including visual impairment, hearing loss and leg length discrepancy.

Nearly one thousand athletes, family members, volunteers and supporters came out on Saturday, April 28th for the eighth annual Junior Blind Olympics presented by Junior Blind and the Optimist Blind Youth Association.

The determination and enthusiasm of the children played out beautifully, as they ran, jumped, climbed, rowed and, best of all, smiled with pride as they completed a variety of athletic pursuits. Their expressions of joy and accomplishment filled the campus and were a delight to witness.

Within only a few months of providing transition services to blind and visually impaired young people in Central and Northern California, we are pleased to see our students already building bridges to success.

Kennedy High School senior, Michelle, who is legally blind due to glaucoma, always knew she wanted to go to college. In fact, she has already been accepted to California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). And, yet, she knows that to achieve her dreams and thrive in college, she has a lot to learn in the next few months. Luckily, she found Junior Blind just in time.

Mark your calendar for upcoming Junior Blind events you don't want to miss!

Junior Blind's Student Transition & Enrichment Program (STEP) provides teens and young adults, ages 16 through 22, the opportunity to explore their career and educational options and provides them with the necessary tools to succeed.