EL VISTA: Giving new hope to a vulnerable population of learners

EL VISTA will serve some of the state's most vulnerable and underserved populations: Infants and toddlers with low vision, blindness, or deafblindness.

In an effort to better serve Illinois’ infants and toddlers with low vision, blindness, or deafblindness, Illinois State implemented an early intervention vision program in 2015 titled Early Learning Visual Impairment Services, Training and Advancement (EL VISTA). The grant program represents one of precious few programs of its kind in the nation and is funded by a five-year $1.23 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education.

Alumna pursues her passion as a deaf educator

Molly Herman with a preschool student

Molly Herman was looking to earn a little money for college when she took her summer job at a pool. But a chance encounter with one very special child would set her sights on a career in deaf education.