Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program

Helping caregivers uplift children with visual impairments

Our Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program helps parents and caregivers understand their child’s visual impairment and confidently nurture their development from the very beginning. You’ll work with Early Childhood Vision Consultants, building your capacity to advocate for your child—from birth to school age.

By providing your child with specialized care early in life, we can help reduce the risk of developmental and communication delays.

Your program may include:

• In-home appointments
• Early learning and childcare centre consultation
• Professional consultation and collaboration
• Attending ophthalmology appointments with the family
• Written reports, assessments and family service plans

Who we support

This program is for Ontario-based families of children (ages 0–6) with an eligible visual impairment. This includes:

• Reduced visual acuity
• Restricted visual fields
• Neurological visual impairment

Locations

Services take place in homes, early learning and childcare settings. Support is available in these regions:

Toronto & Southeastern Ontario

Call: 1-833-575-KIDS (5437)

Register online

Halton & Peel

ErinoakKids

Call: 905-855- 3557

York & Durham

Markham Stouffville Hospital

Call: 1-888-703-5437

“Gone above and beyond for our family”

What to expect

Inquire

Once you inquire, we’ll be in touch to start the registration process and connect you with an early childhood vision consultant.

Set Priorities

Your early childhood vision consultant will work closely with you to identify priority goals and create accessible environments for the child, such as in the home and other familiar places like learning centres.

Continued Support

Your consultant may work with you through in-home visits, childcare consultation, and professional collaboration. They’ll also develop supportive reports, assessments, and service plans. The frequency of support depends on your needs. Some children will be seen every other week, while others are seen every three weeks or once a month. This can also fluctuate if your situation changes over time.

Susan, our early childhood vision consultant at Surrey Place, has gone above and beyond for our family by researching toy or equipment ideas for us, offering to brainstorm ideas when we got stuck, and offering kind words of encouragement. We’ve had a hard time finding medical professionals that treat Elena with kindness and patience, and we will be eternally grateful to Susan for recommending what turned out to be the gentlest optometrist for Elena’s eye check-ups.”

- Andreea M.

“Gone above and beyond for our family”

“My daughter Elena has a severe case of CHARGE syndrome. Elena is Deafblind, among other challenges, and as such, we were referred to Surrey Place’s Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program. Although Elena is legally blind, she has some functioning peripheral vision remaining, which is why we were looking to support her developing vision.

Susan, our early childhood vision consultant at Surrey Place, has gone above and beyond for our family by researching toy or equipment ideas for us, offering to brainstorm ideas when we got stuck, and offering kind words of encouragement. We’ve had a hard time finding medical professionals that treat Elena with kindness and patience, and we will be eternally grateful to Susan for recommending what turned out to be the gentlest optometrist for Elena’s eye check-ups.”

- Andreea M.

Do you recommend any educational resources?

These resources are an excellent place to start learning more about development in children with vision impairments:

Early Vision Development Milestones – Discover early vision development milestones for your child during their early years and find out how to recognize delay. 

Child Development Webinar – This video explains developmental milestones and how to know if your child needs additional support.