Welcome to the Parent Infant Program
For the
Blind and Visually Impaired (PIP BVI)
The Parent Infant Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides an array of services to families of children birth to three years of age with vision loss. The service options range from home-based, community/center, to toddler/play-group classes. The Early Intervention Vision Specialist works with parents and caregivers to address the child’s individual developmental needs impacted by the vision loss. Families and Vision Specialists work together to give each child the skills specific to their unique needs, leaving them better prepared for a future that will enable them to reach their fullest potential. CLICK HERE for letter to families
Our Mission …
The Parent Infant Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired strives to help every child develop all senses by encouraging touching and movement, listening, smelling, utilizing compensatory skills, maximizing functional vision, and creating opportunities for learning and exploration. We believe early identification and building a solid foundation in all areas of development the vision loss has impacted will promote positive progress. Our efforts are to prepare ALL children to function at their highest potential.
Our Primary Goals …
· To become familiar with the vision diagnosis and learning needs of your infant/toddler.
· To develop a process for gathering and sharing of vision/compensatory information with your family and other early intervention providers.
· To implement vision programming and strategies with your family that address the specific learning needs of your infant/toddler that best fit within your family’s routines to address the specific learning needs of your infant/toddler.
· To support your parent-infant relationship.
· To offer specific vision/compensatory activities and suggestions for promoting your child’s development.
· To assist your infant/toddler in learning essential skills needed for independence.
Children naturally learn to play with toys, crawl and walk, use their senses to explore the world, and build relationships with those around them. For a child with a visual impairment, these and other areas of development may be affected. Because vision plays a major role in the developmental process, it is important that early identification, treatment, and educational intervention begin immediately to address each child’s unique learning needs. A vision teacher with the Parent Infant Program helps children with vision impairment and their families understand ways to create opportunities for learning at this critical time.
Our Service Options …
Child and Family (CLICK HERE for information on each service option)
· Home-based services
· Orientation & Mobility
· Play Dates
· Toddler/Playgroups
Family and Child (CLICK HERE for information on each service option)
· Family Activities
· Parent Education Seminars
· Parent to Parent Network/Support
· Blind/Visually Impaired Mentor
Early Childhood Sensory Center (CLICK HERE for information on Sensory Center)
· Literacy
· Orientation and Mobility
· Sensory
· Tactile
· Bathroom
· Parent Library
· Toddler/Playgroup Classroom
Who is Eligible …
Eligibility is determined by the infant or toddler’s vision diagnosis, degree of vision loss, and ability to use remaining vision. The child is eligible for early intervention vision services if the vision loss or impairment impacts his/her overall development.
(CLICK HERE for more information about impact of vision loss and types of service characteristics)
Contact Information …
The Parent Infant Program f/t Blind and Visually Impaired may be
reached by calling: 801-629-4743 OR 800-990-9328
(CLICK HERE for referral form)
Early Intervention vision specialists are located throughout the state.
(CLICK HERE for more information on the Early Intervention Program in your area)
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
742 Harrison Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404-5298
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