For more information, contact: Antoine Johnson 240-737-5169

Children's Programs

Where can parents turn when they are faced with the knowledge that their child is blind or has a visual impairment? Studies have shown that of all disabilities, the diagnosis of blindness generates the most profound emotional effect on families. Once the initial shock wears off, parents start to look for answers. The most frequently asked question is: "What can I do for my child?"

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) helps parents find answers. We recognize that the family is the most important influence in the child's life and we provide support and encouragement, helping parents work through the grief they feel.  Parents come to understand that they make a difference and learn how to help in their child's development and beyond.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is there for the child and parents from diagnosis through every stage in the child's development - all the way to young adulthood. For over 45 years, CLB has been providing direct services to blind and visually impaired children, birth through the 12th grade. Each year over 100 children benefit from the programs offered.

The core programs are:

• Early Intervention

• Time to Rap Teen Support Group

• Summer Camps

• Annual Children’s Events

Comprehensive services, starting as early as possible and continuing through high school, include:

• Orientation and Mobility

• Braille instruction

• Specialized vision services

• Social opportunities and adaptive technology

Early Intervention

The Early Intervention program operates year-round to help low-income children who are blind or visually impaired develop age-appropriate independent living skills. This program was developed in response to requests from the parents and caregivers of blind and visually impaired toddlers.

CLB’s early diagnosis, assessments and vision rehabilitation enable children to develop and maintain proper educational progress. CLB assesses each child's needs and develops an individual program to enhance his or her coordination, language, social skills, and helps families integrate their visually impaired or blind child into the home environment.

Time to Rap Teen Support Group

Time To Rap was conceived in the spring of 2002 as Price George’s County vision teachers and CLB staff shared their concerns about several high-school aged students in their Assistive Technology class.  Many were performing below the levels of their abilities and few were participating in academic or social activities that their vision impairment would have allowed, and some exhibited signs of very low self-esteem and anger. It was evident that these students felt isolated and needed a peer support group to develop a more positive outlook on their futures, hone necessary social skills, and learn other crucial life skills. 

The first Time to Rap session was held in October 2002. The response to Time to Rap has been so positive that what was originally to be an eight-week program is now in its fourth year of implementation.  Over 30 youth have participated in the program since its inception.

The partnership between CLB and the PGC vision program staff has provided participants in the Time to Rap program with information, support, and experiences that have helped them to become more confident, socially adept, and optimistic about their futures.

 The program curriculum was developed around five key areas:

• Community Service

• Employment

• Family Relationships and Friendship

• Financial Management

• Nutrition