Since 1989, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has offered an innovative summer program for blind children in grades four through eight. This summer, the “Buddy” Program promises to be full of learning opportunities, new friendships, and fun-filled activities.

Many blind children have misconceptions about their blindness due to the lack of positive blind role models and to the negative stereotypes about blindness in society. Unlike other summer programs for blind children, the “Buddy” Program is directed and staffed by competent blind adults. Classes in cane travel are taught to instill independence and self-confidence. The knowledge of Braille enables the blind child to compete on terms of equality with sighted peers in the classroom and provides a solid background in spelling and other grammatical skills. Computer literacy classes expose a blind child to available adaptive equipment. Classes in daily living skills promote equal participation in household duties such as cooking, shopping, and cleaning. In addition to learning valuable alternative techniques of blindness, children will enjoy participating in a wide variety of exciting activities such as swimming, camping, bowling, roller skating, and horseback riding.

The combination of hard work and fun activities will provide a rewarding experience that children will cherish. Involvement in the “Buddy” Program helps blind children realize that it is not blindness that poses the greatest problem. Rather, it is the negative attitudes and misconceptions about blindness that may prevent blind children from reaching their potential. At the close of the summer program, parents are REQUIRED to attend a Parents’ Weekend. This weekend will allow them to interact with other parents of blind children and to learn what their children have discovered about their blindness and themselves. Friendship, training, fun, growth and interaction between blind children and positive blind role models is how the Louisiana Center for the Blind is “changing what it means to be blind.”

This summer, the Louisiana Center for the Blind will sponsor one session of the “Buddy” Program from June 8-June 28.

We are looking forward to working with your child this summer. We know it will be a memorable experience for both you and them. If you are interested, please complete application by April 20th or call Eric Guillory at 800-234-4166.

Due to limited space, we cannot guarantee that every applicant will be granted enrollment. Funding for this program is pending. Priority is given to Louisiana residents.