The Lighthouse of Broward teaches skills to blind and severely visually impaired babies, children, teens and adults so they can live more independent lives.

A local group of blind persons, volunteers and professionals formed the Lighthouse of Broward in 1973. Since then, the small agency created to provide social support and recreational activities for blind people has grown into an accredited, full service educational and rehabilitation agency. Every day, the staff at the Lighthouse strives to further its mission to enhance the independence, productivity and quality of life of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.

The Lighthouse of Broward serves visually impaired children, youth, working age adults and elders and is the primary resource for services and information for the blind in Broward County. As the only source in Broward County for comprehensive rehabilitation training and adaptive computer training for adults with visual impairment, the Lighthouse also is the only local facility offering specialized skill building for blind babies and children based on the National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Vision Impairment, including those with Multiple Disabilities.

An estimated 52,000 severely visually impaired people live in Broward County, one of the highest incidences of visual impairment in the nation, primarily because the community is an attractive retirement destination for people over the age of 60. The major causes of visual impairment most often affect this age group.

All visitors to the Lighthouse have the opportunity to enjoy the Sensory Garden, which is maintained by the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club. All of the circles and members at large (MAL’s) take turns in maintaining the garden during the year to provide care through weeding, fertilization or replanting. In 2006, the club was recognized for their ongoing work and was awarded an Emerald Award, Broward County’s highest environmental award. Visit our pages for The Lighthouse Sensory Garden.

If you or someone you know is having difficulty managing daily life activities because of vision loss, please contact us. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday  8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

The Lighthouse of Broward is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NAC), and is a member of the National Council of Private Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind. The Lighthouse of Broward County is a United Way agency. Funding is partially provided by the State of Florida Division of Blind Services and Broward County. Additional funding required to meet the Lighthouse of Broward’s annual budget is provided through individual, corporation and foundation grants. Find out more about how you can help support the organization’s important mission.

www.lhob.org