NLAB School for the Blind

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The Northern Luzon Association for the Blind, Inc. (NLAB) is a non-profit, non-stock, private organization concerned with welfare of the Visually Impaired Children (VIC) in Northern Luzon.

It envisions to society where the VIC who are fully integrated, their rights upheld and their potentials recognized and developed. NLAB therefore helps facilitate the integration of the visually impaired persons in society by assisting the community by providing educational services and some livelihood training so as to promote independent and meaningful living, equal opportunities and worthy livelihood. NLAB also helps in the promotion of a blind friendly society. 

VISION STATEMENT

  • The Northern Luzon Association for the Blind is an organization concerned with the welfare of the Visually Impaired Children in Northern Luzon (Regions 1,2 and CAR).
  • The NLAB envisions a society where visually impaired people are fully integrated, their rights are upheld and their potentials recognized and developed.
  • The mission of NLAB is to facilitate the integration of the VIC in the society through empowerment of the visually impaired and the promotion of blind-friendly society.

COMMITMENT

The Northern Luzon Association for the Blind is committed to the welfare of the blind by assisting the community to provide educational and livelihood services for the visually impaired of the Northern Luzon so as to promote independent and meaningful living, equal opportunities and worthy livelihood.

HISTORY

  • 1953 - Classes for Braille were started. It was sponsored first by the YMCA and later assisted by Baguio Lions
  • 1959 - It was registered with the SEC as Northern Luzon Association for the Blind, Inc.
  • 1959 to 1973 - various livelihood projects were undertaken.
  • 1973 - The focus of the organization shifted from Adult blind to Blind children.
  • 1977 - The children was transferred to Bokawkan Road was built. It was called Bahay Pag-asa.
  • 1979 - A partnership was started with CBM a charitable institution with its Head Office in Germany.
  • 1982 - The NLAB elementary pupils went to Holy Family School while the High School students went to Holy Family or SLU Boys High School. A building was constructed at Camp Allen for the Thriftshop which contributed financially to the NLAB.
  • 1984 - Bishop Emiliano Madangeng the Catholic Vicar of Mountain Province leased to NLAB a lot and a building at Marcos Highway, Atab, Baguio City called NLAB School for the Blind.
  • 1989 - OLMCM opened its door for Inclusion in Elementary and High School to some VIC who live in Baguio City.
  • 1990 - Bahay Pag-asa and NLAB School for the Blind were badly damaged by the earthquake but were restored for safe occupancy.
  • 2004 - NLAB School for the Blind was recognized by the DepEd Recognition # EEd R-015 s.2004 and obtained DSWD License to Operate # 001 CAR s. 2004.
  • 2005 - NLAB was accepted as member of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
  • 2007 - NLAB website, www.NLABSchool4Blind.org, was created and the school started to accept VIC with other disabilities.

PARTNERS

  • Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM), a worldwide Christian charitable organization.
  • The Heinz Woelke Foundation, a foundation set up by the club 20.
  • Different civic and religious organizations that occasionally donate to NLAB.
  • The many individuals, with a heart of the Blind, who regularly contribute to the cause.

SERVICES

1. NLAB Schools for the Blind

  • It is located at Km. 4 Marcos Highway, Atab, Baguio City.
  • The school got its Government Recognition from the Department of Education in June 2004 (EEd-015 s. 2004)
  • License to Operate from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (#001-CAR-2004) also in June 2004.
  • The school caters to VIC ranging from 6-14.
  • The school offers Dep-Ed curriculum for grades I, II, III and Special Education.
  • Aside from the regular subjects, additional skills is taught such as Braille reading and writing, Abacus, Daily Living Skills (personal hygiene, washing, cooking, sewing, crocheting, typing as well as Orientation and Mobility {building confidence to move about by themselves )
  • Some children who are musically inclined are taught guitar, piano and voice lessons.
  • Seminar-workshops are conducted twice a year for the parents of the blind and low vision to enable them to actively participate in the training of their children to become independent.
  • Summer Enrichment are conducted for elementary and high school students to enhance their knowledge and skills specially in English, Mathematics and Science Other skills are also taught such as typing, dancing, coking and sewing.

2. NLAB Livelihood and Training Center

  • It is located in Camp Allen, Baguio City.
  • Expert trainers from the different techniques of doing massage conduct and training/seminar-workshop for the blind adults free of charge.
  • The massage clinic adapts the Swedish and Shiatsu techniques; reflexology would somehow enhance the skills of the masseurs by teaching them the basic techniques.

WHAT YOU CAN DO?

  • Inform us about VIC children in your family or neighborhood
  • Work for a more blind-friendly society
  • Become a NLAB volunteer
  • Donate in kind or in cash