A.V.R.E. Gets $90,000 Grant

6/26/2012 (Updated 11:27:49 PM)

A Binghamton agency which helps the sight impaired got a helping hand on Tuesday.
 
A.V.R.E. received a $90,000 grant from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield to support the agency's infants and children's services. The program helps children with low or no sight still make the connections necessary for proper development with early intervention.

Therapists use tactile books, toys, and other objects to help teach skills.

"We work with families, parents, on how do you help a blind child eat with a fork and where to find food on his plate and how to put his clothes on and things like that. And how to crawl even. When you're blind it's hard to know where you're going," said A.V.R.E Visual Therapist Diane McMillan.

A.V.R.E serves nine counties in New York and Pennsylvania. The agency estimates about one thousand children ages zero to three in it's coverage area need visual therapy.

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