1700s to Early Institutional Efforts

  • ​1784: Valentin Haüy opens the first school for the blind​ in Paris, France, known as the Institution des Jeunes Aveugles.
  • 1791: First British school for the blind opens in Liverpool, England.
  • 1793:France mandates education for blind children, an early model of compulsory specialized education.

1800s to the Braille Revolution & U.S. Foundations

  • ​1808: Charles Barbier invents Écriture Nocturne ("night writing") for soldiers.
  • 1827: James Gall publishes the first raised-print English-language book.
  • 1829: Louis Braille publishes his tactile reading code.
  • 1829: Perkins School for the Blind incorporated as New England Asylum for the Blind.
  • 1831: New York Institute for Special Education founded.
  • 1832: Overbrook School for the Blind (PA) established.
  • 1833: Gospel of St. Mark becomes first raised-print book in the U.S.
  • 1834: Braille code is refined by Louis Braille.
  • 1837: Perkins School establishes a dedicated braille printing plant.
  • 1839: First state-supported teacher training school (Lexington, MA).
  • 1854: France officially adopts braille as the standard tactile reading code.
  • 1858: Seven states support a central printing house, leading to APH.
  • 1860: Missouri School for the Blind becomes first U.S. school to use braille.
  • 1872: Scotland mandates inclusive education for blind children.
  • 1878: Joel W. Smith develops the American raised-point system.
  • 1879: APH Quota Funds established with federal support.

1900 to 1950, Expanding Access and Advocacy

  • ​1893: Compulsory education laws begin affirming the legal right to education for blind students.
  • 1903: Helen Keller becomes the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree.
  • 1905: The New York Association for the Blind, later Lighthouse International, is founded.
  • 1915: National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (now Prevent Blindness) is established.
  • 1918: The University of California begins offering coursework for training TVIs.
  • 1921: The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is founded to improve access, literacy, and independence.
  • 1922: The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is founded, promoting equity in special education.
  • 1929: The Seeing Eye opens in Morristown, NJ, becoming the first U.S. guide dog school.
  • 1931: The Library of Congress establishes the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).
  • 1935: The Social Security Act adopts the American Medical Association’s definition of legal blindness.
  • 1940: The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is founded to advocate for civil rights and independence.
  • 1947: The Perkins Brailler is designed by David Abraham and becomes the standard writing tool for braille users.
  • 1948: Recording for the Blind (now Learning Ally) is founded to provide audio textbooks for students.

1950 to 2000, Defining the Profession and Technology

  • ​1954: The Pine Brook Report outlines the instructional needs of students with visual impairments and the growing need for trained professionals.
  • 1960: The Comstock Report identifies the emerging role of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists.
  • 1960: Boston College launches the first university-based O&M preparation program.
  • 1961: The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is founded.
  • 1966: The CEC Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness (DVIDB) adopts terminology distinguishing between “blind” and “partially sighted.”
  • 1970: Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) begin commercial use, increasing access to print for individuals with low vision.
  • 1975: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) mandates free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities, including visual impairments.
  • 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law, increasing access and civil rights protections.
  • 2000: ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals) is established to standardize credentialing.
  • 2000: The AFB National Literacy Center is created to address literacy disparities.
  • 2001: Bookshare, an online accessible library for students with qualifying print disabilities, is launched by Benetech.

2000 to Present, Technology, Inclusion, and Equity

  • ​2004: IDEA Reauthorization emphasizes access to the general education curriculum for all students, including those with visual impairments.
  • 2010: The iPad and touch-screen accessibility features usher in new forms of mobile assistive technology.
  • 2011: Unified English Braille (UEB) is adopted by the International Council on English Braille.
  • 2016: The U.S. officially implements UEB as the standard braille code for instruction and publication.
  • 2020-2021: During the COVID-19 pandemic, TVIs and O&M specialists adapt services for remote instruction, reshaping approaches to accessibility and distance learning.​
  • 2023: APH launches Code Jumper and Monarch, two groundbreaking tools expanding access to coding and dynamic tactile graphics.

Looking Forward

From ancient misconceptions and institutionalization to advocacy, innovation, and inclusive education, the history of visual impairments reflects a remarkable journey of resilience and progress. Today, professionals, families, and individuals with visual impairments work together toward a future of access, independence, equity, and empowerment.
Note: This timeline is based on the most accurate historical information available from print and online sources. If you spot any discrepancies or have additional milestones to suggest, please contact me so I can update this page. Thank you!

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Full Article List

Guide: Start Here
Tools (VI Basics)
Plan: Referrals & Eligibility
Referral & Eligibility​ ​Medical Vision Information 
FVLMALow Vision Evaluations
Other Evaluations
Plan: IEP Planning
Plan: Collaboration & Accessibility
​Collaboration Accessible Materials ​Classroom Access Instructional Access Technology Access ​Additional Supports Service Delivery Models  ​
Teach: Compensatory Skills
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development ​Alternative Communication ​Emergent Literacy ​Braille Code
​Beginning Braille ​ Braille Fluency & Comprehension  Writing Braille ​​​Nemeth Code Instruction 
​​​Tactile Graphics ​Print Concepts ​​Abacus  ​​Organization Skills​ ​​Study Skills ​​Time Management
Teach: Sensory Efficiency Skills
​Auditory & Listening Skills ​​Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use ​Tactile Readiness
Teach: Assistive Technology 
AT Overview ​AT Use & Maintenance Braille AT ​iOS Instruction Audio Access​ ​Video Magnifiers ​​​Basic Computer Use Computer Access ​Productivity
Teach: Social Skills
Social Skill Basics​
Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ Verbal Communication Skills Cooperative Skills Identity & Self-Awareness ​Interactions & Relationships Managing Challenges & Safety
Teach: Self Determination
Teach: Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene & Grooming ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation
Household Skills Clothing Management ​Money & Budget Shopping & Consumerism Phone Use ​Safety & Emergency Preparedness ​​Services & Community Resources
Teach: Orientation & Mobility
Teach: Recreation & Leisure
Teach: Career & Vocational
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Evelyn Jane Stories 
Learn: Teaching Strategies & Planning
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