BC Blind Sports' Early Intervention Program

The BC Blind Sports Association (BCBSA) Early Intervention Program involves parents and their pre-school children who are visually impaired or blind. Delivered in partnership with CNIB and other organizations, the program offers opportunities for early motor skill development, play, and physical activity as well as individual family follow-up sessions.

Thanks to $40,200 from the BC Sport Participation Program in 2004-2007, 212 children in 18 communities participated in the program, along with 55 coaches. The Early Intervention Program included a summer camp at Bowen Island and school support visits to help teachers learn how to integrate blind students into physical education classes. This innovative program has been recognized globally and presented at conferences in China and Brazil.

The following communities participated in the Early Intervention Program: Abbotsford, Bowen Island, Castelgar, Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, Kelowna, North Vancouver, Port Hardy, Rossland, Salmo, Salmon Arm, Vancouver and Vernon.

The BC Sport Participation Program aims to increase sport participation in community and school-based sports. From 2004-2007 the program gave more than $2 million to 22 sport organizations running programs in 109 communities for close to 85,000 participants and more than 4,600 coaches. The program is funded by the Province of British Columbia and Sport Canada.