Texas Parents of Blind Children
Texas Parents of Blind Children
What is Texas Parents of Blind Children?
Texas Parents of Blind Children (TPOBC) is a statewide membership organization of parents, blindness professionals, and friends of blind children reaching out to each other to give vital support, encouragement, and information.
What is different about TPOBC?
Many people make a sharp distinction between whether a person is visually impaired or blind, and accordingly classify various tools or techniques as being useful for either a partially sighted person or a person with little or no sight.
We take a different approach. We believe that the exact level of a child's eyesight should not restrict their choice of tools and techniques, and instead ask, “Which are the skills and tools that will best enable this child to succeed?" We gauge success just as for sighted children—by the ability to perform the task at hand effectively, independently, and with confidence. Whatever terms may be used to describe a child's vision loss, the important thing is to ensure access to the entire range of skills and tools available. We believe these 'skills and tools of blindness,' as they are called, are essential for the child’s success both at home and at school. We further believe that blind people who are taught and who embrace effective non-visual skills, whatever their degree of eyesight, are capable of living a full and satisfying life.
Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the state, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the technological, legislative, and societal issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for our children. And finally, as our children grow up, they, too, have the Federation to belong to.
What is the mission of the TPOBC?
The purpose of TPOBC is to:
- create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
- provide information and support to parents of blind children.
- facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
- develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
- help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
- function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.
For more information about TPOBC or to learn how you can become a member contact:
Emily Gibbs, President