Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments
Programs and Services
Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention Admission Form
Family Support Services
Family Support Enrollment Form
Program Highlights
Toy & Loan Library

Programs and Services - Program Highlights

  • In fiscal year 2006, the Center provided 1,412 hours of education services to 122 children. In addition, the Center provided a total of 5,321 hours of education, therapy, and family support services to 187 families and their children. These hours include support services to parents, grandparents, siblings and graduates of the Center (37 months through high school).
  • In 2006, the "Spirit of Children" award was presented to the Center by the American Society of Pediatrics for "outstanding efforts to improve the welfare of all children in the St. Louis Metropolitan area."
  • A Look Into Our 'i's was published by the Center. This book, written by 12 teenagers who are graduates of the Delta Gamma Center, is a collection of personal stories that help build understanding and tear down negative stereotypes making life difficult for people with visual impairments.
  • A new GRADS group, the Tandem Adventurers, was formed in spring 2006. This group of tandem bike riders ended the season with a 150-mile, two-day ride, the MS150 where the team raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of St. Louis.
  • "For those youth who demonstrate a belief in themselves and have the support of family, peers, and support group leaders, the negative experiences of disability provoke the development of determination and persistence." Barbara Brockevelt, Ph.D.

As part of the requirements for her doctoral dissertation, Dr. Brockevelt conducted research on barriers to social participation for teens with blindness or visual impairment. She chose to work with the Delta Gamma Center, and 10 Chat & Party members and their families served as subjects for her study. The above quote is taken from her dissertation.

Since receiving the preliminary research results this past year which detailed barriers and contributing factors to successful participation, staff already implemented several changes in practice based upon the findings. Dr. Brockevelt's statement above clearly points to the important role of services and supporters in the lives of our families and their children with visual impairments. As a supplement to the Center's internal evaluation on program effectiveness, this research affirms that outcomes for children and their parents are inextricably linked, and that services and supports can have a life changing impact.