Submitted by Cindy Schutt
The Lighthouse of Broward hosted a Family Literacy Event sponsored by the Florida Panther Foundation to help parents and their children with low vision build literacy skills in Braille.
The literacy workshop provided information for parents on emergent literacy trends including integrating braille into their child’s environment and building fine motor skills. Devices such as magnifiers, reading stands, and CCTVs also were showcased
“This Family Literacy Event truly is a gamechanger for parents and their children who are blind or visually impaired,” said Lighthouse of Broward CEO Ellyn Drotzer, MSW, LCSW. “Thanks to the consistent support of the Florida Panther Foundation, our parents are equipped with resources to assist their children, and the kids are encouraged to learn and grow, despite their vision issues. We are so grateful to Foundation for always being there for our kids in support of our mission.”
The Florida Panther Foundation is committed to supporting health and education initiatives for children like the Lighthouse of Broward’s Family Literacy Event. It also is dedicated to building the game of hockey for children and youth, including youth who are blind or visually impaired. Each summer, the Foundation invites Lighthouse youth to participate in a hockey clinic. The young people, typically 7 to 17 years old, use their hearing to shoot balls equipped with bells into nets.
The Lighthouse of Broward provides free specialized rehabilitation, life skills training, and employment opportunities to enhance the independence, productivity and dignity of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit www.lhob.org or call (954) 463-4217.
