OSB Family: - Overbrook School for the Blind

Thirteen OSB students lived in
the White Hall apartments this
past year-eight young men and five
young women. They are a diverse
group from Philadelphia and the
suburbs. Ten are African American,
two are Caucasian, and one is
Hispanic.
The coordinator reports that the
students’ parents were initially a
little hesitant and concerned about
their children living away from
home, “but after a very short time,
the students’ enthusiasm and
increased independence changed
the concern to pride in their
children’s accomplishments.”
Although we are primarily a
commuter school, OSB
additionally provides a warm and
welcoming environment for the
few students who live on campus
in the Friedlander dormitory
during the week.
Friedlander has all the amenities
that one associates with “home,”
including private bedrooms, community
rooms, games, television,
camaraderie, off campus trips, and
various celebrations, both planned
(as in the annual Thanksgiving dinner)
and impromptu parties. All, of
course, supervised by carefully
chosen staff, who foster a sense of
independence in the students.
“From last year one
mom and her little
girl stick out in my
memory. The girl had
just started Early
Childhood, and mom
was nervous, caring,
well meaning. Would
her little girl be OK in
a new place with new
faces after being home
with her for the first
three years of life?
The little girl and
her family are being
well cared for at
Overbrook, and they
remain really involved
in their child’s development.
They ask
about what they can
do at home to promote
the goals of the little
girl’s IEP and help
her to enjoy leisure
activities and have
access to communication
devices wherever
she goes.
The girl’s combined
challenges, including
physical and vocal
restrictions, were and
continue to be successfully
addressed by a
team approach that
included an OT, PT,
and audiologist
working with other
staff and–of course!–
the family.”
An Occupational Therapist
Page 8 Overbrook School for the Blind Annual Report 2009-2010