Beyond Blindness

Beyond Blindness empowers children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential.

Beyond Blindness is proud to have served Orange County children and families for more than 60 years. Our comprehensive programs include Early Intervention, Education and Enrichment, and Family Support. Our current strategic plan has the exciting goal of positioning Beyond Blindness as the go-to provider for blind and visually impaired children and expanding our capacity to serve 2,680 children and families throughout the Greater Orange County area by the end of the Fiscal Year 2027.

In fiscal year 2024–2025, Beyond Blindness served more than 1,500 individuals, including 539 new children and their families. At the midpoint of our five-year strategic plan, we also surpassed our original goal of reaching 2,680 children and family members by 2027, having already served 2,739 individuals, or 102% of our five-year goal. We are particularly proud of the following recent accomplishments:

1) ORANGE COUNTY HEAD START PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH
Beyond Blindness proudly introduced a new Orange County Head Start partnership, extending our long-standing mission to serve children with visual impairments and other complex needs. This collaboration integrates the nationally recognized Early Head Start and Head Start learning framework with our Journey of Care® model, combining proven curriculum and expanded developmental screenings with our specialized expertise in vision services, inclusive classrooms, and family support. Becoming an Orange County Head Start site was a natural next step, enabling us to offer enriched early-childhood experiences and tailored support while enhancing awareness of our unique services and creating more meaningful opportunities for children with visual impairments and other disabilities to learn and grow alongside their sighted peers.

2) INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND RENOVATIONS
To prepare for the Orange County Head Start partnership, Beyond Blindness completed major campus upgrades, unveiling two purpose-built playgrounds—one for infants and toddlers and another for preschoolers. Designed to strengthen every facet of our programs and welcome the broader community, these new outdoor spaces feature safety enhancements for children with visual impairments and sensory elements that inspire tactile exploration, curiosity, and confidence. This transformation was made possible through the generosity of dedicated donors who share our commitment to ensuring all children—regardless of ability—can learn, play, and thrive.

3) GOVERNMENT GRANTS DRIVING ADVOCACY
Beyond Blindness initiated two pivotal partnerships that advance our services and leadership in advocacy. The California Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Healthy Families Home Visitation Collaborative partnership and grant engages us in a countywide network to strengthen home-based support for families. The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Service Access and Equity partnership and grant appoints us as a convener of a new parent advocacy group for families of children with visual impairments. Together, these awards diversify funding, broaden our reach, and amplify our voice in shaping systems of care so that families receive the resources and representation they need to thrive.

Beyond Blindness’ goal for fiscal year 2025–2026 is to build on this momentum by continuing to expand programs, deepen services, and strengthen our position as the leading provider of services for children who are blind or visually impaired and their families in Greater Orange County. Having already surpassed our original five-year goal of reaching 2,680 children and family members by 2027, we remain focused on expanding our impact while providing individualized support tailored to the needs of each child and family.

To guide this work throughout the year, we have identified three key priorities:

1) Early Intervention
Implement a comprehensive Head Start program that delivers high-quality early childhood education, health, and family support services to promote school readiness and holistic development.

Enroll 64 students across five classrooms and secure a sustainable funding source to establish a sixth “transitional” preschool classroom to ensure continuity of care for all students.

2) Education and Enrichment
Create sustainable and impactful pathways for children and youth by expanding support for incoming Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) and launching new opportunities for youth leadership and life skills development.

Develop, launch, and evaluate a life and leadership skills pilot serving 10 youth ages 14–22 who are blind or visually impaired.
Implement an enhanced ExCel Academy in partnership with Cal State LA, providing professional preparation and mentoring for 12–16 TVI candidates.

3) Family Support
Implement the DDS Service Access and Equity program, CYBHI Home Visiting services, and CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM) programs to expand access to comprehensive support services, enhance care coordination, and improve health and developmental outcomes for children and families.

CYBHI: Successfully complete all grant deliverables and identify sustainable funding to continue the program.
DDS SAE: Provide oversight and evaluation of outcomes from five community parent advocacy groups.
ECM: Achieve successful enrollment as a Medi-Cal ECM provider and secure a contract with Full Circle Network to deliver ECM services.

Beyond Blindness depends on private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations to supplement limited program fees. Donations fund a majority of our life-changing services. Outside funding also allows Beyond Blindness to intervene at no cost to families who cannot afford recommended services. The average cost of raising a child with special needs is four times that of a typically developing child (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and 75% of families come from a low-to-moderate income background.

Greater Orange County

For more than six decades, Beyond Blindness has been transforming lives by empowering children with visual impairments and other disabilities—and the families who support them—to achieve their greatest potential. What began as a vision to serve children who are blind or visually impaired has evolved into a comprehensive organization providing life-changing early intervention, education, family support, and therapeutic services that help children thrive from infancy through young adulthood.
As the needs of our community continue to grow, so does our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Together with our dedicated staff, generous supporters, and valued community partners, we are expanding opportunities, removing barriers, and creating brighter futures—one child, one family, and one success story at a time.

As a member of the Beyond Blindness Board for the past five years, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact this organization has on children and families throughout Orange County. As Chair of the Board, I am committed to continuing our mission of providing compassionate support, resources, and guidance to families as they navigate the complexities that come with raising children with visual impairments and other disabilities.