Mission and Vision

     In 1925, Helen Keller asked the International Association of Lions Clubs to be “Knights for the Blind” and Lions around the world took her words to heart and have been working with the blind since then.  In 1997 the Indiana Lions State Committee for the Indiana School for the Blind was founded and became part of our Indiana Lions commitment to help the blind.  In 2007, at the Indiana Lions State Convention the Lions voted by more than a two-thirds majority to create the State’s fifth State Project – the Indiana Lions for the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Inc.

    Established in 1847, The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is accredited by state and national certifying organizations. The School, which has an enrollment of approximately 175 students, offers pre-school through high school programs, free of charge on a residential or day school basis, to the young people of Indiana who are blind and visually impaired.

    The School provides students with instruction in the same coursework required of all school-aged children in Indiana. Specialized classes include orientation and mobility, adaptive physical education, independent living skills, vocational education, music instruction, Braille and specially adapted computer technology. Also available are experiences and opportunities to participate in recreational activities, on and off campus jobs, band, chorus, piano, Leo Club, scouting, creative dance, and ham radio as well as involvement in competitive speech, track and field, wrestling, cheerleading and swimming.

    After graduation, students enter the work force or continue their education at colleges or technical school.  Graduates of ISBVI are involved in such careers as law, education, radio announcing, computer technology, business, sales, manufacturing, supportive employment, and health services.

    Most people do not realize it, but the ISBVI has an Outreach Program that works with another 1,000 students out in their own community schools.  These students need extra help in specific areas such as large print books, special teaching methods, and unique educational tools.

    The Indiana Lions for the ISBVI has three representatives for each of the eight different subdistricts who meet together four times a year to coordinate efforts in helping the children at the ISBVI.  In 2001, this group accomplished a major goal—playground equipment specially constructed for the blind. By putting together several groups with the common interest of the ISBVI, the Indiana Lions for the ISBVI spearheaded the building of special playground equipment which cost $90,000. CONTINUED