ChildVision National Education Centre for Blind Children & Multi-disabled Children

What ChildVision National Education Centre for Blind Children & Multi-disabled Children does

ChildVision is Ireland's only dedicated national service for children with visual impairments and additional disabilities, founded in 1870 and headquartered in Dublin. Structured as a registered charity (Company Limited by Guarantee), the organisation delivers a vertically integrated portfolio spanning residential and day education, clinical therapy (including occupational and low-vision services), equine-assisted activities, and a national reading and transcription service that maintains a Braille library of more than 8,000 titles. Its beneficiaries are blind and multi-disabled children across the Republic of Ireland, with residential, educational, and clinical capacity concentrated at its Dublin campus and increasingly extended to regional access points.

The service portfolio combines direct care delivery (residential and day education, multi-disciplinary clinical therapy) with specialised programmes (equine-assisted therapy via the new Jack de Bromhead National Equine Centre, a circa €1 million capital facility opened in September 2025) and national infrastructure services (Braille transcription and accessible reading materials). Underlying technology comprises low-vision clinical assessment equipment, assistive devices sourced through long-standing partnerships with Transitions Optical, OneSight, and HumanWare, and dedicated equine therapy infrastructure including a newly opened national centre. The organisation has also co-developed, with AIRE, a Therapeutic Riding Coaching Course, extending its intellectual property beyond direct service delivery into curriculum and trainer certification.

ChildVision operates a hybrid funding model. Core operating costs are underwritten by statutory block funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education, providing a predictable revenue base. This is supplemented by philanthropic donations (including notable gifts such as €163,000 raised at a Lord Mayor's Ball and €1 million directed to the Equine Centre), corporate partnerships, and earned income from social enterprise activities operated under the CanDo Enterprises brand. Strategic engagement with government is maintained through annual Pre-Budget Submissions and regulatory advocacy aimed at securing service expansion funding, while hosting of the 2026 ENVITER Annual General Meeting positions the organisation as a peer convener within the European visual-impairment sector.

Name

ChildVision National Education Centre for Blind Children & Multi-disabled Children

Legal name

ChildVision

Website

https://childvision.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ChildVision is Ireland's only dedicated national service for children with visual impairments and additional disabilities, providing education, clinical therapy, residential care, equine-assisted therapy, and national Braille transcription services, funded primarily by the HSE and Department of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services for Visual Impairment

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child Care Services (624410), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Early Intervention & Preschool Programs (EDAKAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vision Impairment & Blind/Low-Vision Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAIAK), Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services (EDACAFAN), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Visual impairment support
• Assistive technology services
• Residential disability care
• Braille transcription services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding - HSE: Primary funding from Health Service Authority (HSE) for clinical therapy, residential, and support services.
2. Government Funding - Department of Education: Funding from Department of Education & Skills for educational programmes and specialised education services.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate partners, and fundraising events including the Lord Mayor's Charity Ball (€163,000 raised in 2026).
4. Social Enterprise - CanDo Enterprises: Dublin-based social enterprise generating revenue through sale of handcrafted soaps, skincare products, woven goods, confidential shredding services, and horticulture products. Creates meaningful training and employment for the vision impairment community.
5. Garden Centre Retail: Retail sales of shrubs, plants, containers, hanging baskets, and plants sold through local retailers. Open 7 days a week.
6. Equine Assisted Activities Fees: Fees for therapeutic equine sessions: €50 per single class, €300 for 6 classes. Additional sponsorship opportunities for horse sponsorship.
7. Summer Programme Fees: Two-week residential summer programme for teenagers with visual impairment, costing €300 with payment plan and bursary options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ChildVision is Ireland's only dedicated national service for children and young people (birth to 25 years) with visual impairments and additional complex disabilities. It delivers specialised education, clinical therapy (Low Vision, Psychology, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing), residential care, and life-skills programmes, alongside a national Braille transcription and assistive technology loan service and a CanDo social enterprise producing handcrafted goods for employment of the vision impairment community.

Product overview

ChildVision is Ireland's only dedicated national service for children with visual impairment and additional disabilities, operating as a unified organization offering integrated education, therapy, and social care services. The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of services including Early Years Services (ages 0-6), Clinical Services with specialist Low Vision and CVI assessments, Reading Services (national Braille and alternative format transcription), Pathways life skills programme (ages 18-23), Residential Life, and Equine Assisted Activities at the Jack de Bromhead National Equine Centre. Through its social enterprise CanDo Enterprises, the organization operates five on-campus enterprises producing handcrafted soaps and skincare products, confidential shredding services, handwoven textiles, horticulture/garden centre, and letterpress printing—all providing meaningful training and employment for the vision impairment community. The organization also operates Low Vision Clinics expanding nationally, with services in Dublin, Cork, and Sligo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CanDo Enterprises: Dublin-based social enterprise that generates meaningful training and employment in the vision impairment community. Products include handcrafted soaps, skincare, woven goods, and horticulture. Continues a tradition of blind craft from the Drumcondra Castle campus since the 1870s.

Products and services

• Early Years Services Specialised early intervention programme for children aged 0-6 years with visual impairments, providing direct services including vision work, fine and gross motor skills development, communication, socialisation and cognitive development, following the Aistear and Síolta frameworks. For children with visual impairment and their families.
• Clinical Services National clinical therapy team providing specialist assessment, therapy and support services including Low Vision, Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing, with specialism in Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) assessment. For children with visual impairment and complex needs nationally.
• Reading Services National transcription service providing educational materials in alternative formats including Braille, BRF digital Braille files, large print, EPUB, text files for screen readers, 3D printed objects and tactile diagrams. Includes a nationwide braille and large-print library with free postal service and assistive technology support. For schools and students with visual impairments across Ireland.
• Pathways HSE-funded life-skills programme for young adults aged 18-23 with visual impairment and additional support needs, following New Directions guidelines. Provides specialist vision supports, academic skills, health and wellbeing, and social and community engagement over a duration of up to five years.
• Residential Life HIQA-registered residential services for children and young people aged 12-23 with visual impairment, providing nurturing home environments that support emotional, social and developmental needs with a focus on independence and community integration.
• Equine Assisted Activities Therapeutic programme using horses and stable activities for sensory regulation, readiness for learning and developmental support. Incorporates the 'Horse Boy' method combined with therapeutic riding, offered at the Jack de Bromhead National Equine Centre. Pricing is €50 per single class or €300 for six classes. For children and adults referred through the Equine service.
• CanDo Soap & Skincare Dublin-based social enterprise producing handcrafted soaps and skincare products using natural ingredients. Generates meaningful training and employment for the vision impairment community and continues the blind craft tradition from the Drumcondra Castle campus since the 1870s. Sold through e-commerce webstore, on-campus shop and local retailers.
• CanDo Confidential Shredding Secure document shredding service providing certificates of destruction, locked bins supply and competitive rates for businesses and individuals. Operated as a CanDo social enterprise supporting meaningful employment for people with vision impairment.
• CanDo Weave Made It Handwoven products including rugs, seat cushions, scarves and wash cloths made using recycled materials. Empowers individuals through meaningful employment in a social enterprise setting, continuing the weaving tradition from the Drumcondra campus.
• CanDo Horticulture and Garden Centre Garden centre providing practical plant care skills and horticulture training. Students grow herbs, vegetables, and create eco-friendly products like bee bombs and seed paper. Includes on-site Garden Centre retail open seven days a week selling shrubs, plants, containers, hanging baskets, with refill service.
• Summer Programme Two-week residential summer programme for secondary school teenagers with visual impairment. Activities include equine, swimming, cultural trips, music, baking, yoga, and independence skills building. 32 places available; priced at €300 with payment plan and bursary options.
• Low Vision Clinics Specialist low vision assessment and support services delivering Functional Visual Assessment (FVA) examining how children use vision in everyday activities, with recommendations for home and school adaptations. Supports children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) and visual processing difficulties. Services expanding nationally including new Sligo clinic.
• Referral Services National referral system accepting applications for Dublin/Cork services and National Assessment services for children and young people with visual impairment, requiring supporting documentation from paediatricians, ophthalmologists or neurologists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8,000 educational titles transcribed in academic year 2023/2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Transitions Optical (with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and HumanWare)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFor almost a decade, Transitions Optical alongside partners OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and HumanWare have been committed supporters of ChildVision. The partnership has enhanced supports provided, invested in innovative technologies, and opened new opportunities for young people through cutting-edge assistive solutions and shared expertise.
• Irish LifecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting ChildVision's mission. Irish Life has been involved in events such as the Dublin Marathon partnership.
• HumanWarecoreTechnology or IntegrationCorporate partner providing assistive technology expertise alongside Transitions Optical and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation.
• Mason Hayes & CurranminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing legal and professional support to ChildVision.
• PTSB (Permanent TSB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner of ChildVision.
• Henry de Bromhead RacingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNamed after the late Jack de Bromhead, the family has been instrumental in establishing the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre. Henry de Bromhead Racing supports the therapeutic equine programme.
• Tattersalls IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of a stable at the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre, sponsoring Bull, one of the therapeutic horses. Long-term supporter attending events like the Tattersalls July Show.
• PlusvitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner celebrating 50 years, supporting ChildVision's work.
• BluegrassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting ChildVision.
• McGowansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner of ChildVision.
• The Learning Tree CrecheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting the Adana Letterpress printing enterprise at CanDo, with the team producing bespoke cards, tags, and packaging.
• AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIRE partnered with ChildVision in 2019 to develop the Therapeutic Riding Coaching Course (TRCC), launched in 2021. Multiple AIRE-approved centres now offer Equine Assisted Activities locally.
• Horse Sport IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body for the Equine Industry in Ireland, ensuring standards of coaching, child protection, and horse welfare are achieved nationally.
• Flynn & CominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner who made a generous donation, with employee Mick contributing World Cup Sweepstakes winnings.
• ENVITERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network for visual impairment. ChildVision hosted ENVITER's 25th Annual General Meeting and Conference in April 2026, bringing delegates from across Europe.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Children's Hospital Ireland (CHI) - Ophthalmology: Ireland's paediatric tertiary hospital network, with ophthalmology services for children with visual impairment. Comparable as the clinical counterpart for paediatric visual assessment, though hospital-based rather than education/social-care focused.
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): UK's leading sight loss charity offering education, braille transcription, assistive technology and advocacy. Comparable as a much larger equivalent of ChildVision's Reading Services and broader VI service portfolio.
• St. John of God Community Services: Large Irish provider of intellectual disability, mental health and child services across residential and community settings. Comparable as a multi-region, multi-service disability charity with HSE commissioning relationships.

Direct peers

• Stewarts Care: Dublin-based disability services provider offering residential, clinical and day services to children and adults with complex needs. Comparable as a multi-site disability services charity with a strong clinical/residential profile.
• Cope Foundation: Cork-based Irish charity providing residential, day, clinical and educational services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a multi-site disability services charity funded by HSE.
• Enable Ireland: Major Irish disability services provider delivering clinical therapies, education and family support to children and adults with disabilities. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary disability services organisation with government and HSE funding.
• Sunbeam House Services: Wicklow-based charity providing residential, day and clinical services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a multi-stream disability services provider with social enterprise components.
• Vision Ireland: Ireland's main national organisation for people who are blind or vision impaired, providing rehabilitation, training and advocacy services. Directly comparable to ChildVision as a national vision-impairment services provider, though serving both adults and children.

Regional players

• Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind: National Irish charity providing guide dog and assistance dog services, with whom ChildVision shares Cork premises. Comparable as an Irish VI-focused charity with national reach and similar funding/donor profile.
• National Council for Special Education (NCSE): Statutory Irish body supporting inclusive education for children with special educational needs, including visual impairment. Comparable as a national coordinating and advisory body for VI special education services in Ireland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChildVisionVI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childvision-national-education-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/childvisionvi
• Xx.com/ChildVisionVI

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ChildVision National Education Centre for Blind Children & Multi-disabled Children