Parents of Blind Children Division

Parents, teachers, and friends of blind/visually impaired children: Louisiana Parents of Blind Children (LPOBC) is forming a statewide network for sharing information, resources, and support, and we need YOU!

The Louisiana Parents of Blind Children (LPOBC) is a statewide group of individuals dedicated to the education and advancement of children with visual impairments—whether blind, partially sighted, or having multiple disabilities including visual impairment. We are a division of the National Federation of the Blind, the largest organization of the blind in the country.

The purpose of the organization is:

To create a climate of opportunity for blind/visually impaired children in home and society.
To provide information and support to parents and teachers of blind/visually impaired children.
To facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents and teachers of blind/visually impaired children.
To develop and expand resources available to parents and teachers of blind/visually impaired children.
To help parents and teachers of blind/visually impaired children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind/visually impaired adults.
To function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against the blind/visually impaired and to achieve for the blind/visually impaired security, equality, and opportunity.

The Louisiana Chapter works together with the Louisiana Center for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana affiliate, and the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children to provide yearly seminars focusing on education of our blind/visually impaired children; to provide contact with other families of blind/visually impaired children; to provide contact with blind/visually impaired adults to serve as positive role models; to serve as a source of information to help families gain understanding and perspective; and to promote the use of the white cane and braille.

If you have not filled out an LPOBC membership form, please do so now. You can download the word file, complete it, and mail it to Alison Tarver, LPOBC President, at 101 South Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270. Or, you can complete the form at the bottom of this page and join at once.

Families and professionals are welcome to join LPOBC by paying the $10 annual membership fee. Fees are used to sponsor families events held throughout the state and support families in blindness related needs.

We keep in touch with our members through this website, through our Facebook page, and through periodic e-mails to our member distribution. If you would prefer to be contacted by mail, please let us know. You may submit your annual membership fee on online or mail in a check. These fees are typically renewed at state convention each year. But, you can also pay any time.

Members will be added to the LPOBC distribution list; they will receive Future Reflections magazine free of charge; and, they will receive free information packets, upon request.

Please contact Alison Tarver or any board member (listed below) or call the Louisiana Center for the Blind at 1-800-234-4166 for additional information.

Board Members:

Alison Tarver, President 318.730.2535 (Western and Central Louisiana)

Mindy Lavern, Vice President 337.277.5302 (Acadiana)

Krystal Guillory, Secretary/Treasurer 318.245.8955 (North Central Louisiana)

Nan Horst, Board Member 318.372.1430 (North Central Louisiana)

Cindy Champagne, Board Member 225.240.0090 (Capitol Area)

Sarah Kassim, Board Member 504.373.9011 (Greater New Orleans)

Amber Guilbeau, Board Member 337.280.1652 (Acadiana)

Jessica Turner, Board Member 504.669.8225 (Acadiana)

Andrea Benoit, Board Member 337.591.4154 (Acadiana)

Current activities:

Saturday Clubs throughout the state
Friend Connect: This is a way for Louisiana blind students to connect with other blind students at a distance. Looking for a blind penpal or gamer for your child, sign them up, and we’ll let you know when a match is found!