ANCHOR CENTER FOR BLIND CHILDREN
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Mission Statement
Through early intervention, education and therapy services, Anchor Center for Blind Children works with visually impaired children ages birth to 5 to maximize the use of any vision they may have as well as optimizing their use of all senses.
About This Cause
Anchor Center is the only privately funded organization in Colorado (and one of a handful nationwide) that provides early intervention/developmental education services to very young children with blindness. Founded in 1982 by a librarian for the blind and alumnae from the Delta Gamma Fraternity, Anchor Center for Blind Children has helped thousands of children and their families learn how to live with a vision impairment, meet critical early developmental goals and lead full, productive lives. Our children graduate from Anchor Center programs to attend the public school system and amaze us all with what they can accomplish. Anchor Center was founded because children with blindness learn in different ways than sighted children, and both their learning environment and activities need to be adapted to their unique needs. Without the specialized services from Anchor Center, blind children will fall behind in all areas of development. When the child is older, these delays will be more difficult or impossible to reverse. Anchor Center serves two primary populations: 1) Infants, toddlers and preschool-age children (birth to 5) who are blind, have a visual impairment, or have a combined vision and hearing loss (deaf-blind); and 2) Parents, caregivers, and siblings of the children we serve. Comprised of Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Pediatric Ophthalmologists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Physical, Occupational, and Recreational Therapists, Developmental Specialists and Child/Family Resource Specialists, Anchor Center’s remarkable team of teachers, doctors and practitioners is uniquely able to address the full spectrum of each child’s vision/deaf-blind challenges and individual strengths. To ensure children and families reach their goals, Anchor Center offers the following programs and services: Infant Program. (Ages newborn – 18 months) Young babies arrive to the Infant Program in the arms of their parents, grandparents, foster parents, or caregivers. Working in small groups and one-to-one sessions, Anchor’s teachers and therapists lead structured “centers” focused on each child’s visual, auditory, motor and cognitive strengths. Within the natural context of playing, feeding, socializing, and movement activities, parents/caregivers gain three parenting assets: 1) understanding of their child’s unique vision or vision/hearing challenges; 2) tips to caring for their infant’s special needs; and 3) tools to nurture and support their infant’s continuing development. Toddler Program. (Ages 18 month to 3 years) Parents/caregivers also attend the Toddler Program with their child. Visual and auditory development, communication, motor development, (as well as parent education) continues to be the programmatic goals. Literacy, including pre-Braille introduction, also becomes an important instructional focus. Critical at this stage of development is the formal introduction of Orientation and Mobility (O & M) -- a vital program for the blind and visually impaired. With early O&M instruction, newly mobile toddlers begin to learn the foundational concepts needed to travel safely and independently within their home and community, eventually leading to independent cane travel. Preschool Program. (Ages 3 – 5 years) Anchor Center’s Preschool Program is designed to increase each child's level of independence with a special focus on preparing students for an appropriate kindergarten setting by age five. Anchor’s transdisciplinary team of Early Childhood Special Educators (ECSEs) and Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) work in tandem with physical, speech/language, occupational and recreational therapists (including music and horticultural) to provide individualized early education programs. Building upon the Toddler Program, the Preschool Program continues school-readiness instruction in Orientation and Mobility, literacy (including braille), self-help skills (e.g. dressing and toileting), social interaction, and use of assistive technologies. Learning beyond the classroom, Anchor preschoolers also enjoy multi-sensory education and exploration in Anchor’s gym, greenhouse and outdoor play areas as well as during school field trips to museums, recreation centers, stores and parks. Home Visits. (Ages newborn to 3 years old) Anchor Center’s early intervention services are primarily provided at Anchor Center. However, in some cases a child may be too medically fragile to attend the center-based program or a parent may be unable to travel to Denver. In these cases, Anchor may send a Teacher of the Visually Impaired to provide consultation and early intervention in the child’s home. Family Support & Education From the minute a child enters Anchor Center, the family, especially parents and caregivers, becomes integral to the services the child will receive. In addition to the consultation, instruction and coaching parents/caregivers receive during their child’s time in program, Anchor’s Family Services Team is a resource for families who need connections to additional supports, such as financial assistance, Medicaid enrollment, housing assistance, and mental health services.