Cathy D'Orazio

Overbrook School for the Blind

Founded in 1832, Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB) prepares our students—all of whom are blind, visually impaired or living with other challenges—to have the greatest opportunity to experience active and fulfilling lives. Our historic 26-acre campus in the Overbrook Farms section of West Philadelphia is bustling with activity as our students work, play, and in some cases, live in an extraordinary set of integrated buildings that have been adapted to meet the multiple needs of our students. OSB serves approximately 180 students (ages 3 through 21) on campus. Our Early Intervention Outreach program (birth through age three) provides at-home guidance and care to the parents of 190 additional families. OSB's International Program reaches thousands of people in Southeast Asia by training teachers and administrators on how to instruct additional teachers to work with the visually impaired. We employ more Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) than any school in the state of PA and an entire related services team for students in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, orientation and mobility, counseling, and much more. Our faculty also includes instructors who have been trained to work with students who have been diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Every student, regardless of their ability level has an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) developed to meet their specific needs and educate the whole child. Each program is aligned with the PA core standards and the Expanded Core Curriculum for students who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or visually impaired with additional disabilities. Our cutting-edge educational programs use low and high tech assistive technology to support our students. Staff receive on-going professional development in visual impairment, specialty areas, state-mandated trainings, and core subjects. Our staff share their expertise presenting at conferences.