The goal of the Vision Program at Boys Town National Research Hospital is to enrich the lives of children who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind. Our program identifies the needs of children in our community who have a visual impairment and then supports families by sponsoring the following programs and services:
Camp Abilities Nebraska
This week-long residential sports camp is designed for youth, ages 9-19, who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind. Youth explore sports and recreational activities in a safe environment with instructors who have expertise in adaptive techniques. Camp Abilities Nebraska is co-sponsored by Boys Town National Research Hospital and Outlook Nebraska, Inc.
Beeping Easter Egg Hunt
This annual event offers an accessible Easter egg hunt for children with visual impairments and their siblings. Children search for eggs by listening for a beeping sound. Children receive braille or large print books, stuffed animals, prizes, treats, refreshments and photos with the Easter bunny. The event is held the Saturday before Easter weekend at the Boys Town home campus.
Seminars, conferences and workshops
Seminars, conferences and workshops are provided for children, parents, teachers of the visually impaired and other professionals who work with children who experience vision loss.
Art, cultural and educational events
Arts and cultural performances are provided with the organizations WhyArts? and the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children.
Consultative services
Consultative services are available to community venues, such as museums, visual and performing arts, and public and private facilities with an emphasis on optimizing accessibility for persons with visual impairments.
Educational presentations
Educational presentations regarding blindness and visual impairment are offered to parents, professionals and community audiences.
For more information, contact:
Kristal Platt, M.S.
Vision Program Coordinator
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Boys Town National Research Hospital
555 N 30th Street
Omaha, NE 68131
(531) 355-6365
Kristal.platt@boystown.org
