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Timeline of Visual Impairments

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 18, 2022

The history and documentation of visual impairments dates back to Biblical times. There are numerous references in the scriptures specific to blindness. These passages give us an insight into how visual impairments were perceived so many years ago. Clearly during this time, people with visual impairments were seen as helpless and dependent on others. The perception was that the cause of blindness could be attributed to the sin of the father.

​It wasn't until 1260 that there is documentation that perceptions of people who were blind began to change. After King Louis the Ninth of France had suffered a defeat in the Sixth Crusade, he returned with an interest in charities. He endowed one of the first formal institutions for the blind. (Enabling Technologies, How braille Began) During this period there was no formal education available for those who were blind. Although braille had not yet been developed, some developed their own literacy methods in clever ways including a writing system of pinpricks and silk embroidered onto cardboard. The following are some important historical events in the history of the field of visual impairments.
1784    The first school for the blind was established in Paris, France by Valentine Hauy.
1791    First school for the blind established in Liverpool, England.
1793    France had first mandatory school for the blind
1808    Charles Barbier invents Ecriture Nocturne, or night writing, for use by French soldiers at night.
1827    James Gall publishes First Book for Teaching the Art of Reading to the Blind, the first English-language work in raised type.
1829    Louis Braille publishes an explanation of his embossed dot code (inspired by Barbie)
1829    The New England Asylum for the Blind (later the Perkins School for the Blind) was incorporated in Watertown, MA
1831    The New York Institution for the Education of the Blind (now the New York Institute for Special Education) was incorporated.
1832    The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind (later the Overbrook School for the Blind) was founded.
1833    The Gospel of St. Mark was printed in Philadelphia. It was the first book in raised print in the United States.
1834    Louis Braille perfects the literary braille code.
1837    The Perkins School for the Blind establishes a printing plant, later named the Howe Memorial Press.
1839    A state-supported "normal school" for training general education teachers is started in Lexington, MA.
1854    France officially adopts braille as a reading mode for people who are blind.

1858    Seven states establish central printing house. APH.
1860    The Missouri School for the Blind becomes the first institute in the United States to use braille.
1872    The Scottish Education Act calls for educating children who are blind with sighted children.
1878    Joel W. Smith at the Perkins School for the Blind develops the American raised-point system, modeled closely on braille, which became the foundation for American braille. 
​
1879     Act to promote education of blind and establish quota funds. Quota  funds brought about the American Printing House for the blind (APH). It  was established with federal money. APH was the first professional  organization of blind workers. Materials from APH can be purchased with quota funds for students who are legally blind.
1893    Children 0-22 who are blind receive an education
1903    Helen Keller was the first student who is deaf/blind to receive a college degree.
1905    The New York Association for the Blind (now Lighthouse International) was  founded.
1915    The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness was founded.
1918    The University of California offers the first university preparation courses for teachers of students who are blind.
1921    The American foundation for the Blind was founded.
1922    The Council for Exceptional Children was founded.
1929    The seeing Eye, the first dog guide school in the United States, was incorporated.
1931     The Library of Congress established the National Library Service for  the Blind and Physically Handicapped. It began distributing braille and  recorded materials in accordance with the Pratt-Smoot Act of 1930.
1935    The Social Security Act is passed. It adopts the AMA's definition of legal blindness.
1940    The National Federation of the Blind was founded.
1947    The Perkins Brailler is designed and developed by David Abraham of Howe Press.
1948    Recording for the Blind (RFB) is established.
1954     The Pine Brook Report identifies different educational options for  students who are blind or visually impaired and the type of teacher  preparation required.
1960    US conducts a study outlined in the Comstock reports. Determined a need for O&M specialists.
1960    Boston College started the first university program for O&M instructors.
1961    The American council of the Blind was founded.
1966    The CEC Project on Professional Standards defined visually handicapped to include both blind and partially sighted.
1970    CCTVs become commercially available.
2000    Academy for certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals is established.
2000    American Foundation for the Blind National Literacy center established.
2001    Bookshare, a source of downloadable books, was founded.​
NOTE:  I have assembled this list from online and offline resources.  If you know of a discrepancy on this page please contact me so I can amend the entry. Thank You!
History of vi
Timeline of Visual Impairments
Biblical Passages 
​Notable People 
Helen Keller
APH Museum
​
Leaders & Legends
History of Braillewriters  
Legislation ​
Visual Impairments
​Structure & Function of the Eye 
Vision Classifications
​Common Vocabulary  
​Common Visual Impairments
​Cortical Visual Impairment
​
Convergence Insufficiency  
Deaf-Blind
Vi organizations & Agencies
Social Etiquette
​VI Organizations
​US Government Agencies
​​Support Networks
​Deaf-Blind Resources
​​​Online Parent Resources
​
Financial Assistance
Vendors
VI book resources
Children's Books
Young Reader Books
Books on Dog Guides
​Teen & Young Adult Books
Non-Fiction Books
Helen Keller Books
​​Parent Resource Books 
Grief and Suffering
VI Professionals
​Become a Vision Professional
Professional Prep Programs
Teacher of Students with VI
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Low Vision Specialist  
Rehabilitation Specialists
CATIS
Paraprofessionals & Braillists ​ ​
Professionalism
​Professional Ethics  
​Professional Development 
​Teacher Standards  
Professional Organizations
Certification Organizations
Awards & Recognition
APH Scholar Program
​Collaboration Strategies
Dealing with Challenges
Instructional Planning
VI Program Handbook
Caseload Analysis  
Itinerant Teacher Tips 
Year at a Glance
Role of Classroom Teacher  
​​Simulation Activities 
Organization & Time Management Strategies
Material Preparation
​
Professional Publications
General VI Resource Books
CVI & MD Resources Books
Braille Resource Books
O&M Resource Books
Early Intervention Resource Books
​Journal Resources
Educational Programming
National Agenda
​
The Expanded Core Curriculum
IDEA and Vision 
​Federal Quota Funds
Deaf-Blind Count
​State SpEd Agencies 
​​Schools for the Blind ​
Individual Learning Differences
Language Development
Impact on Development & Learning
Psychological Impact
Strategies for SIDPID
Strategies for MIMO
referrals
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fvlma
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​
Test Visual Fields
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Reading Rates
Writing the FVE Report  ​
additional evaluations
Low Vision Evaluation  ​
Orientation & Mobility Evaluation  
Educational Assessments  
Assistive Technology Assessment
service planning
​​ECC Annual Needs 
Unique Visual Needs
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Service Delivery Models  
Least Restrictive Environment
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504 Plans
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writing goals
Writing SMART Goals
Blooms Taxonomy  
Compensatory Goals 
Sensory Efficiency Goals 
Assistive Technology Goals 
Social Skills Goals 
Independent Living Goals 
Recreation & Leisure Goals 
Self Determination Goals 
Career & Vocational Goals ​
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles
​
Functional Skills
Community Based Experiences  ​
​​Concepts to Teach ​
Organization & Study Skills ​​
Time Management  ​​
​
​​​Virtual Instruction
​Movies & Assemblies
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Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.)
​​Daily Schedule 
Morning Meeting 
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Blocks 

Numbers & Counting
Cranmer Abacus Instruction
Algebra
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Measurement & Data ​
Early Literacy Experiences  ​
​Create Tactual Books

Reading Instruction
​Reading Efficiency ​​
Science Adaptations 
Social Studies Adaptations
​Accessible Educational Materials
​​Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
Adjust Lighting  
Large Print
Optical Devices for Near 
Optical Devices for Distance 
Optical Device Use ​​
​Photocopying
Font Legibility
Increase Contrast
Pictures & Worksheets 
Keyboarding ​Instruction
Word Processing and Shortcuts
​Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
Braille Code
Braille Instruction 
​Braille Instruction Materials
Writing Braille  
​Summer Reading (braille)
Signature & Handwriting ​​
Nemeth Braille Code
​
Tactile Graphics Guidelines
Creating Tactile Graphics
​Tactile Graphics Instruction
​Teacher Made Materials 
​Labeling System
assistive technology
Overview of Assistive Technology
​
VI AT Resources
​
Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
​
Video Magnifiers  
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​
Screen Enlargement & Readers 
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​​​​Notetaker Instruction 
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Tactile Graphics Technology
Braille Technology
​
Auditory Access Devices 
​Accessing Audio Books
​
​iPads as Instructional Tools
Making iOS Device Accessible
iOS Accessibility Resources
VoiceOver
Apps for VI
​​​Note Taking apps
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Identification Apps
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​​​Magnifier Apps
Sound Making Apps
​Cause & Effect Apps
Vision Skills Apps
Apps for Early Learning
Read to Me Story Apps
Apps for Communication
Android Apps for VI  ​​​
sensory efficiency
Sensory Input
​
​Encourage Use of Vision
​​Sensory Area & Rooms
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​
Sensory Activities for Students with Multiple Disabilities
Sensory Tables
Visual Efficiency Skills 
Visual Attend and Scan Activities
Visual Tracking Activities
​Visual Discrimination Activities
Visual Motor Activities
Tactual Readiness
Developing Skillful Hands
Auditory Readiness  
​​Listening Skill Instruction
independent living
Responsibility & Independence
​
General Home Safety  
Mealtime Independence
Eating Adaptions
Bathroom Adaptations
​
Dressing & Clothing Management
Clothing Management
Medication Adaptations
​Kitchen Adaptations
Food Preparation   
Recipe Activities

Hygiene & Grooming
​
​Money
Housekeeping  ​
orientation & Mobility
​Transition Between Activities
Proper Guide Techniques 
Orienting Student to Environment
Mobility Skills
Travel  
Dog Guides
​​School Campus Adaptations
Classroom Design Tips
career education
Classroom Jobs
​Career & Vocational  ​
Prepare for College & Career
​
Career Exploration
social skills
​Non-Verbal Communication  
Social Interactions  
Self Concept
Icebreakers & Mixers
recreation & Leisure
Recreation & Leisure
​Recreation Adaptations  
Recreation Resources
​
Playground Adaptations
​VI Sports Associations
Camps for VI
Learn to Play
Art Adaptations
Art Materials
Music
Music & Movement
Dance
​Card and Board Games 
Transcribe Playing Cards
Summer Outdoor Activities
​
Rainy Day Activities  ​
self determination
Self Determination Skills  ​
Thank you for visiting!
The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide all persons involved in education students who are blind or visually impaired with the necessary resources to help each student become successful members of their communities and to equip those in the visual impairment field with resources to meet the wide range of needs of the students they serve. ​
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  • VI Store & Gifts
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    • ECC Instructional Resources >
      • TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle
      • TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC
      • Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheets
      • Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency
      • Task Box Activities
      • Vocabulary Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Purchase Recorded Presentations >
      • Presentation Complete Set of 16
      • Foundations of Teaching the ECC
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategies & Tips
      • Strategies & Activities for SIDPID
      • Strategies & Activities for MIMO
      • Job Tasks for Jobs, Career & Life
      • Strategies & Activities for Standard Course of Study
      • Accommodations for BLVI
      • Accessible Content for BLVI
      • Using Themes to Teach the ECC
      • Tips for Being a Physically Fit TVI
      • Conducting a FVLMA
      • Developing SMARTER Goals
      • Determining Service Intensity Using the VISSIT
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • The Art of Teaching the ECC
      • Activities to Teach the ECC
    • Job Postings
    • Product Support
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    • Post a Job
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