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 A
local group of blind persons, volunteers and professionals formed the
Lighthouse of Broward in 1973. Since then, the small agency created to
provide social support and recreational activities for blind people has
grown into an accredited, full service educational and rehabilitation
agency. Every day, the staff at the Lighthouse strives to further its
mission to enhance the independence, productivity and quality of life of
children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
The Lighthouse of Broward serves visually impaired children, youth,
working age adults and elders and is the primary resource for services
and information for the blind in Broward County. As the only source in
Broward County for comprehensive rehabilitation training and adaptive
computer training for adults with visual impairment, the Lighthouse also
is the only local facility offering specialized skill building for blind
babies and children based on the National Agenda for the Education of
Children and Youths with Vision Impairment, including those with
Multiple Disabilities.
An estimated 52,000 severely visually impaired people live in Broward
County, one of the highest incidences of visual impairment in the
nation, primarily because the community is an attractive retirement
destination for people over the age of 60. The major causes of visual
impairment most often affect this age group.
All visitors to the Lighthouse have the opportunity to enjoy the Sensory
Garden, which is maintained by the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club. All of
the circles and members at large (MAL's) take turns in maintaining the
garden during the year to provide care through weeding, fertilization or
replanting. In 2006, the club was recognized for their ongoing work and
was awarded an Emerald Award, Broward County's highest environmental
award. Visit our pages for
The Lighthouse Sensory Garden.
If you or someone you know is having difficulty managing daily life
activities because of vision loss, please
contact us. Our hours of operation are
Monday through Friday 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
The Lighthouse of Broward is fully accredited by the National
Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually
Handicapped (NAC), and is a member of the National Council of Private
Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as the Florida
Association of Agencies Serving the Blind. The Lighthouse of Broward
County is a United Way agency. Funding is partially provided by the
State of Florida Division of Blind Services and Broward County.
Additional funding required to meet the Lighthouse of Broward’s annual
budget is provided through individual, corporation and foundation
grants. Find out more about
how you can help support the
organization’s important mission.
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