WHO ARE WE?

For nearly 240 years, it has been welcoming children and young people to help them become self-reliant, provide them with medical care, and offer them academic or vocational training. Whether living on campus or receiving support as they attend mainstream schools, these young people receive comprehensive care—including medical, medical-social, educational, and instructional support.

Since 1927, this association—recognized as a public-interest organization in 1954—has been advocating for the inclusion of people with sensory impairments. Through its 42 local groups, 40 facilities and services, and 500 employees, it supports 2,000 members and 2,000 beneficiaries on a daily basis. Its missions? To promote educational inclusion, social connections and independence, access to employment, support for aging, innovation, and raising public awareness.

Founded in 1889 by Maurice de La Sizeranne, the organization was recognized as a public benefit organization in 1891. For more than 135 years, it has supported and assisted people with visual impairments to help them become more independent. Its work is made possible by public generosity. It relies on 126 local branches, 18 medical-social facilities, and nearly 3,400 volunteers to pursue its goal: to be as close as possible to blind or visually impaired people in order to help them break out of isolation and lead active, independent lives.

Founded in 1949, apiDV—Supporting, Promoting, and Integrating the Visually Impaired—works to promote the independence of blind and visually impaired people by facilitating their access to education, employment, culture, recreation, and technology. With 500 volunteers, 21 staff members, and eight locations, its mission extends nationwide, both in mainland France and in its overseas territories.