14a Juglas Street, Riga, LV - 1024, Latvia
The educational system for blind people in Latvia began in 1872 when the first such school for the blind was established in Riga.
Today the Strazdumuiza Residential School and Training Center for Blind the Blind and Visually Impaired is the only educational establishment for children and young adults with severe visual impairments in the country. Children, beginning at the age of 6, can attend the preparatory classes. Students, completing the course of education through grade 13, receive a secondary scool diploma and are able to continue their development in vocational or higher education establishments according to their lskills, abilities, competency and desire. Extracurricular activities also enable students to participate where they otherwise would not be able to do so.
Classes and free time are scheduled according to the competency, necessity, interests and visual capabilities of each individual.
Since 1997 the school has also served as a training center. Its functions include:
- Collaboration with the local governmental and educational establishments to identify all blind and visually impaired children in the country;
- Special assistance and consultation for visually impaired children of all age groups and their parents in a home setting;
- Consulting visually impaired children in mainstream schools;
- Consulting teachers for mainstreamed visually impaired children.
The Computer Centrer was established in 1997. Special software for students with low vision allows them to work freely with computers. Future plans include the purchase of computer devices allowing blind children to utilize the computer for acquisition of information techologies, as well as other subjects.
Various activities are planned and organised during free time between teachers and students.
Many opportunities are given to those keen on sports (track and field, Judo, swimming, etc.). In 1998 two students from the school won a Gold and Bronze medal in The World Track and Field Championship for Blind and Visually Impaired Children in Czech Republic.
