"In Saul Valdivia's preschool classroom, a neon green light emanates from underneath the opaque surface of a wooden table. An assortment of plastic bugs and wooden shapes lay scattered across its surface. This light box learning tool uses contrasts to help encourage young kids with impaired vision develop awareness of objects, light and color. A braille writer and magnifying device across the classroom are ready to be used."
"More than 11,000 children under age 11 in the county are visually impaired and the center is equipped to address their needs - lessons incorporate smell and touch and include real objects like apples and pumpkins rather than plastic toys. Children with low vision participate in pre-braille learning exercises. Educational support for youngsters with visual impairments, which are largely under-diagnosed among children under age 5, requires highly individualized learning plans to avoid potential development delays."
The Blind Children's Center in East Hollywood provides specialized early education and child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with visual impairments. Classrooms use adapted tools such as light boxes, braille writers, magnifiers, dimmable lighting, and real objects to support sensory learning through touch, smell and high contrast. The center serves any L.A. County child with a visual impairment through Head Start and Early Head Start regardless of income. Programs limit class sizes, offer on-site health and disability services, use individualized learning plans, and combine federal, state and private funding to prevent developmental delays.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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