Kansas State School for the Blind

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.

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

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

• Special education services
• Visual impairment education
• Assistive technology training
• Low vision services
• Blind student programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. State Funding: As a Kansas state educational institution, KSSB receives state government funding to operate its educational programs for students with visual impairments.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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+)

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Kansas Lions Sight FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary 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 FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSSB 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIRC, 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 ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSSB 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSSB 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 InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLions 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 DeafminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKSSB 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kansas-state-school-for-the-blind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Kansas State School for the Blind