Kansas State School for the Blind
The Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) is a state educational institution founded in 1867 that provides comprehensive educational programs, field services, low vision clinics, and online courses for students with visual impairments from birth through age 21 across Kansas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1867
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Kansas State School for the Blind does
The Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) is a Kansas state educational institution founded in 1867 that serves students with visual impairments from birth through age 21. Headquartered on a campus at 1100 State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, KSSB operates both day and residential programs and delivers statewide field services through regional specialists covering all seven Kansas regions (Northeast, North Central, Central, South Central, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest). The school also hosts the Kansas Deaf-Blind Project and the Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC), and coordinates the Kansas TSVI/COMS Preparation and Mentorship Project to address the shortage of certified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS).
KSSB's core products and services span on-campus education, mobile outreach, online courses, and clinical assessments. The portfolio includes Low Vision Collaboration Clinics (KanLovKids), Field Services (functional vision, learning media, orientation and mobility, assistive technology assessments), mobile units (Mobile STEM van and Mobile Accessible Sports Experience), online courses (Computer Science via Microsoft TEALS partnership, Braille Music at three levels, Podcasting, Speech & Debate), Transition Programs, Extended School Year, Braillewriter Repair, and Early Intervention services via collaboration with Infant Toddler Services of Kansas (Part C). The proprietary technology is primarily assistive—specialized low vision devices, Braille writers, adaptive computer software, and mobile accessibility units—rather than AI-driven. Online courses are delivered via Zoom and open nationally without tuition fees.
KSSB's business model is predominantly state appropriation-funded, with nominal fees ($50 per low vision evaluation for ages 3-21; free for under age 3) charged to school districts and a small foundation/donation revenue stream (Kansas Lions Sight Foundation, KC Blind All-Stars Foundation). Go-to-market is direct-to-district and direct-to-family: field services specialists cover every Kansas region, partnerships with local education agencies deliver assessment and professional development, and signature events (Annual Vision Symposium, Expanded Core on the Road, Trailblazers Weekends, Blind Sports Day) drive engagement. Most services and resources are provided free of charge, reflecting the institution's public mission rather than a commercial revenue motive.
Kansas State School for the Blind firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kansas State School for the Blind
- Legal name
- Kansas State School for the Blind
- Website
- https://kssb.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1867
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) is a state educational institution founded in 1867 that provides comprehensive educational programs, field services, low vision clinics, and online courses for students with visual impairments from birth through age 21 across Kansas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kansas State School for the Blind industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Special Education Services for the Visually Impaired
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special Education Evaluation & Assessment (Psychoeducational, Speech/Language, OT/PT) (EDAJAKAA), Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Virtual Special Education & Related Services (IEP Delivery Online) (EDAJADAG), Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)
Keywords
Where Kansas State School for the Blind is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kansas State School for the Blind business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- State Funding: As a Kansas state educational institution, KSSB receives state government funding to operate its educational programs for students with visual impairments.
- District Service Fees: School districts are charged a minimal fee of $50.00 per evaluation for students ages 3-21 for low vision collaboration clinic services. No fee is charged for children under 3. Some services charge nominal fees while many resources are free of charge.
- Foundation Grants and Donations: KanLovKids is funded by KSSB with support from the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation and KC Blind All Stars Foundation. The school also accepts donations through the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Low Vision Evaluation - Standard (ages 3-21) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Online Courses |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Kansas State School for the Blind product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KSSB is the Kansas state-designated educational institution serving students with visual impairments from birth through age 21. It delivers campus-based day and residential programs, statewide field services (vision assessments, orientation & mobility, assistive technology), low vision clinical evaluations through KanLovKids, accessible online courses, early intervention family services, mobile STEM and adapted sports outreach, and signature statewide events such as the Vision Symposium and Trailblazers Weekends.
Product overview
Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) is an educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for students with visual impairments from birth through age 21 across Kansas. The core offerings include: Online Courses (computer science via Microsoft TEALS partnership, braille music at three levels, podcasting, and speech/debate); KanLovKids Low Vision Collaboration Clinics providing multidisciplinary evaluations; Mobile programs including Expanded Core on the Road and Mobile Accessible Sports Experience (MASE) that bring services statewide; Field Services offering regional assessments and professional development; and campus-based day and residential programs with specialized facilities including a MakerSpace, pool, and sensory garden. Signature events include the annual Vision Symposium and Trailblazers Weekends. KSSB serves as the statewide resource center, partnering with local districts to ensure equal access to quality education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KanLovKids: Low Vision Collaboration Clinics providing specialized vision care for children ages 3 through 21 in Kansas.
- Expanded Core on the Road
- Mobile Accessible Sports Experience (MASE)
Products and services
- Online Courses (Computer Science, Braille Music, Podcasting, Speech & Debate) Online academic and enrichment classes delivered by Zoom by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) certified in content areas. Subjects include computer science (Python via Microsoft TEALS partnership), braille music (levels 1-3), podcasting, and speech & debate. No tuition fee for participation; books or supplies may be required. Open to students across the country.
- KanLovKids Low Vision Collaboration Clinics (LVCC and LVCC+)
Companies that use Kansas State School for the Blind
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kansas State School for the Blind technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Kansas State School for the Blind partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Kansas Lions Sight FoundationcorePrimary funder of the KanLovKids program which provides Low Vision Collaboration Clinics and Low Vision Collaboration Clinics+ to children ages 3-21 with visual impairments across Kansas. The foundation provides funding support alongside KSSB's own resources.
- KC Blind All-Stars FoundationcoreProvides support for KanLovKids and serves as the organization's primary donor/foundation for charitable giving. KSSB directs donors to the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation for making tax-deductible donations.
- Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools)flagshipPartnership to deliver an Introduction to Python Computer Science Course tailored for students with visual impairments. KSSB is one of only two schools for the blind offering this course nationwide. The TEALS Program brings CS programs to schools by pairing industry professionals with classroom educators. KSSB and TEALS developed the course specifically for blind/low vision students.
- Kansas Deaf-Blind ProjectcoreKSSB hosts the Kansas Deaf-Blind Project as part of its field services, providing resources and support for students with combined hearing and visual impairments. The project is led by Katie Paul based at KSSB.
- Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC)coreKIRC, led by Director Kia Boyd, operates as part of KSSB Field Services to provide resources, assessments, and support for Kansas educators serving students with visual impairments.
- Kansas TSVI/COMS Preparation and Mentorship ProjectcoreKSSB supports the training of educators to become certified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) and/or Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) through financial support and mentoring. Addresses the shortage of qualified vision professionals in Kansas.
- Infant Toddler Services of Kansas (Part C)coreKSSB Family Infant-Toddler Services collaborates with the state's Part C early intervention program to provide services for children birth to age 3 with visual impairments. Joint home visits and IFSP team collaboration are part of this partnership.
- Lions Club InternationalminorLions Club International produced a video describing the low vision process, evaluation goals, and how KanLovKids clinics help improve lives of children who are visually impaired throughout Kansas.
- Kansas School for the DeafminorKSSB collaborated with the Kansas School for the Deaf to provide the Dr. Jeffry Gerson with the 2013 Vision Service Award, demonstrating inter-institutional collaboration in serving students with sensory impairments.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kansas State School for the Blind competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision-related healthcare, education, and advocacy services. Comparable in low vision clinical services and rehabilitation offerings, though operating as a broader healthcare-adjacent incumbent rather than a state school.
Direct peers
- Perkins School for the Blind: Private Massachusetts-based school serving blind students with on-campus and international programs. Comparable in delivering specialized curriculum, online courses, and professional development for teachers of the visually impaired, and a peer on nationally available online programming.
- Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB): Florida state school serving both deaf and blind students with residential and outreach programs. Comparable mission to KSSB's combined vision and deaf-blind services, particularly given KSSB's hosting of the Kansas Deaf-Blind Project.
- Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB): Private Philadelphia-area school for blind students providing academic, residential, and outreach programming. Comparable in delivering expanded core curriculum and teacher training, with similar age range and mission scope.
- American Printing House for the Blind (APH): Louisville-based federally funded nonprofit providing educational materials, textbooks, and assistive technology for blind students nationwide. Comparable mission of supporting K-12 students with visual impairments, with overlapping product offerings in braille and accessible instructional materials.
- Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI): Texas state school for blind/visually impaired students that also operates statewide field services, online courses, professional development, and Coffee Hour collaboration with KSSB. Most direct functional equivalent as a state-designated school serving the same student population with parallel program structure.
- California School for the Blind (CSB): California state school offering residential, day, and outreach programs for blind/visually impaired students. Direct structural parallel to KSSB as another state-designated school, with comparable statewide field services and assessment offerings.
Emerging players
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and service organization for blind individuals. While not a direct service provider like KSSB, NFB operates parallel programs in education, training, and accessibility that overlap with KSSB's expanded core curriculum mission and competes for visibility in the same national ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kansas State School for the Blind social profiles
Digital presenceKansas State School for the Blind financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kansas State School for the Blind leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Kansas State School for the Blind funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kansas State School for the Blind M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kansas State School for the Blind
What does Kansas State School for the Blind do?
KSSB is the Kansas state-designated educational institution serving students with visual impairments from birth through age 21. It delivers campus-based day and residential programs, statewide field services (vision assessments, orientation & mobility, assistive technology), low vision clinical evaluations through KanLovKids, accessible online courses, early intervention family services, mobile STEM and adapted sports outreach, and signature statewide events such as the Vision Symposium and Trailblazers Weekends.
Is Kansas State School for the Blind a public or private company?
Kansas State School for the Blind is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Kansas State School for the Blind founded?
Kansas State School for the Blind was founded in 1867. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Kansas State School for the Blind based?
Kansas State School for the Blind is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kansas State School for the Blind make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. State Funding is the primary driver. The others are district Service Fees and foundation Grants and Donations.
Who are Kansas State School for the Blind's main competitors?
Lighthouse Guild is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Perkins School for the Blind, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), Overbrook School for the Blind (OSB), American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) and California School for the Blind (CSB). National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Kansas State School for the Blind have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kansas State School for the Blind.
What industry is Kansas State School for the Blind in?
Kansas State School for the Blind's product category is Special Education Services for the Visually Impaired. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAKAI, Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility), with a secondary code of EDAJAKAA, Special Education Evaluation & Assessment (Psychoeducational, Speech/Language, OT/PT). Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.