Visually Impaired Preschool

Olmsted Center's Visually Impaired Preschool is a unique program for children with vision impairments and other disabilities. We offer services in our integrated and center-based classrooms as well as in the community.

A visually impaired child learns about the world in other ways than watching. Olmsted Center's Visually Impaired Preschool (VIP) is a special place where children with visual impairments and other disabilities can learn and grow - by listening, touching and trusting.

Children with disabilities have special needs. Parents, too, need support and answers to their many questions. The Visually Impaired Preschool can meet all of these needs by offering a full range of services for children from birth through age five, including:

Specialized instruction in a child's home and/or classroom
Early Intervention Core Evaluations
CPSE initial evaluations
Supplemental evaluations
Full education and vision assessments
Vision Services
Orientation and mobility training
Occupational and physical therapy
Speech and language therapy
Psychological evaluations
Sensory Integration Room
On-site nursing care
Parent group

The VIP program is designed to maximize each and every student's potential to give the very best chance to succeed in school and in life. Our caring, professional staff members are trained, certified and licensed in their fields. The Visually Impaired Preschool is located at 700 Sweet Home Road in Amherst and shares the facility with the Temple Beth Zion Play and Learn School (PALS). VIP is funded by the NYS Department of Education, the NYS Department of Health and the student's county of residence. There is no charge for tuition or transportation to eligible students.

At Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired, we're committed to helping children see the world in a whole new way.