LSVI traces its roots back to the establishment in 1852 of Louisiana's first school for students who were blind or deaf. In 1870, the blind and deaf schools were officially separated and the blind students moved to another campus. The State School for the Blind was eventually relocated to the current campus in 1898. In the 1920's the state founded a school for African American blind children on the campus of Southern University. The Southern University School for the Blind and the Louisiana State School for the Blind merged in 1978, and the name changed to the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired. This merger allowed the state to concentrate its resources and utilize them more effectively in serving its blind children. Through all the changes in names and locations, the school has maintained an unchanging commitment to offer blind and visually impaired children the academic, vocational, and social opportunities that will prepare them to achieve their full potential.
The Southern University School for the Blind buildings and campus 1921
Pictures courtesy of APH Museum: http://www.aph.org/museum/index.html
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Last revision: October 22, 2007