Blindeninstitutsstiftung

The Blindeninstitutsstiftung (Foundation of the Institute for the Blind) is a non-profit foundation under public law based in Würzburg, Germany. It was founded in 1853 by Count Moritz zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda, who wanted to give blind people a better life through schooling and work. Today the foundation accompanies and supports (deaf-)blind and (hearing-)visually impaired people, many of whom have additional, sometimes complex disabilities, across every stage and area of life. Its service spectrum is unusually broad for a single provider. It ranges from early intervention (Frühförderung) and schools, through individual residential and therapy offerings, to sheltered workshops (Werkstätten) and day-support centres (Förderstätten). The foundation operates Blindeninstitute (institutes for the blind) as well as mobile counselling and support services, and it is present throughout Bavaria and Thuringia. Mobile services support blind and visually impaired children and adolescents who attend mainstream schools, and the foundation also runs counselling centres for affected people and their parents on all aspects of vision, blindness and multiple disability. Historically, the institution traces back to the founding of an association for the promotion of an institute for the blind for the district of Lower Franconia and Aschaffenburg in 1853; the first school for the blind opened in Würzburg on 4 December 1853. In 1909 the institute for the blind moved into a new school and building on Franz-Ludwig-Straße. Over its eventful history the foundation survived difficult periods and a threatened dissolution; its continued existence is credited to the decision, from the early 1970s, to also support people with visual impairment and complex disabilities. That decision, together with the founder's mission, still shapes the organisation today. The foundation presents itself publicly through its website, a newsletter and social media channels such as Instagram (@blindeninstitutsstiftung) and Facebook, and it engages in inclusion-oriented public projects and events in the region.

The Blindeninstitutsstiftung was founded in 1853 by Count Moritz zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda. Its origins lie in the formation of an association for the promotion of an institute for the blind for the district of Lower Franconia and Aschaffenburg. On 4 December 1853, the first school for the blind opened in Würzburg. The founder's aim was to enable blind people to lead a better life through schooling and work. The founder, Moritz Graf zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda, was born in 1798 in Rheda, in what is today North Rhine-Westphalia. He moved to Bavaria for love and lived from 1845 at Wasserlos Castle near Aschaffenburg. In recognition of his significant services in many areas of public life, the Count was honoured in 1854 with the Knight's Cross of the Civil Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown. He died in 1877 and is buried in the Old Town Cemetery (Altstadtfriedhof) in Aschaffenburg. He was known as a great philanthropist who held respect for others in high regard; for example, he decreed that "corporal punishment" was absolutely forbidden in the education of blind children, and he instructed the Catholic nuns working in education that every child should be guided to his or her own confession and religion. The foundation still cites him as a role model for respectful interaction. In 1909, the Institute for the Blind moved into a new school and building on Franz-Ludwig-Straße in Würzburg. Over its eventful history the foundation weathered difficult times and a threatened dissolution. Its continued existence is attributed to the decision, from the beginning of the 1970s, to also support visually impaired people with complex disabilities. This decision, together with the founder's mission, continues to shape the organisation significantly. Today the foundation operates institutions for the blind in seven locations in Bavaria and Thuringia, including early intervention centres, schools, day-care centres, boarding facilities and living places, therapeutic and support offerings, and workshops. Mobile services support blind and visually impaired children and adolescents in mainstream schools, and the foundation offers counselling centres for all affected persons and parents on all aspects of vision, blindness and multiple disability.

• 1970

  From the beginning of the 1970s, the foundation decides to also support visually impaired people with complex disabilities, securing its continued existence.

• 1909

  The Institute for the Blind moves into a new school and building on Franz-Ludwig-Straße in Würzburg.

• 1877

  Death of founder Moritz Graf zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda; he is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Aschaffenburg.

• 1854

  The founder is honoured with the Knight's Cross of the Civil Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown.

• 1853

  Foundation of the association for the promotion of an institute for the blind for the district of Lower Franconia and Aschaffenburg by Count Moritz zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg-Rheda.

• 1853

  On 4 December, the first school for the blind opens in Würzburg.

A non-profit public-law foundation providing lifelong, cross-sector support for blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled people, rooted in a founding mission of respect and inclusion.

• Early intervention (Frühförderung)

  Early support services for blind, visually impaired and multiply disabled children.

• Schools

  Schools for blind and visually impaired students within the foundation's institutes.

• Residential and living services

  Individual residential and living offerings for people across life stages.

• Therapy and support services

  Therapeutic and support offerings for people with visual impairment and additional disabilities.

• Sheltered workshops (Werkstätten)

  Workshops providing work and occupational participation.

• Day-support centres (Förderstätten)

  Day-support facilities for people with disabilities.

• Mobile counselling and support services

  Mobile services supporting blind and visually impaired children and adolescents in mainstream schools.

• Counselling centres

  Counselling for affected persons and parents on all aspects of vision, blindness and multiple disability.

1. 1Startseite | Blindeninstitutsstiftungblindeninstitut.de
2. 2Geschichte | Blindeninstitutsstiftungblindeninstitut.de
3. 3Blindeninstitutsstiftung (Wikidata)wikidata.org
4. 4Blindeninstitutsstiftung (Wikipedia FR)fr.wikipedia.org