The purpose of the grant is to provide training for special educators in the techniques of blindness, primarily Braille. The grant also provides funding for coursework to be offered during the summer at Louisiana Tech University. In 1994, the Louisiana Center for the Blind further expanded its focus to include legally blind infants and toddlers. The consultant travels throughout Louisiana to provide services to blind infants and their parents. The program serves children from birth to three years of age.
Early intervention is critical to the development of positive and healthy attitudes about blindness.
These young children and their families are also given an early introduction to techniques of blindness such as Braille and cane travel. Through involvement with the Louisiana Center for the Blind, parents are also given the opportunity to meet blind adults and other parents of blind children. The program has been extremely successful and has played a vital role in the development of well-adjusted blind children. Through a variety of programs, the Louisiana Center for the Blind serves children from birth through adulthood. It also provides a support and information network for parents of blind children.