Tredyffrin, PA (Junio 17, 2025) – The Royer-Greaves School for the Blind, a nonprofit organization serving students with visual impairment and other disabilities, was awarded grant funding for campus upgrades thanks to the work of state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
For nearly 85 years, the school has been located on a 10-acre site in Paoli that was once a private estate. With some buildings dating back to the early 1900s, the school will use the $50,0000 grant, secured through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to support necessary repairs, primarily focused on the much-needed restoration of an older garage and carport area.
“Royer-Greaves has a pioneering history of serving students and young people in a supportive, therapeutic and community-based educational environment. With this investment in its infrastructure, the school can continue to serve students of all abilities, meeting them where they are and helping them achieve all they can, now and into future,” Comitta said. “I want to thank the staff and supporter of the Royer-Greaves School for the Blind for their ongoing work on behalf of the disability community.”
“We are very thankful to representatives from both Senator Carolyn Comitta’s office and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) for all of their help in facilitating this award. The DCED staff and Senator Comitta’s team demonstrated great professionalism and understanding throughout the grant application process. The Royer-Greaves community truly appreciates the dedication extended by all in support of the children and adults we serve,” said Debra Jerome-Campbell, Executive Director.
Founded in 1921 by Dr. Jessie Royer-Greaves, the school was one of the first of its kind in the nation to serve students with visual impairment and intellectual or developmental disabilities. At that time, other schools for students with visual impairments frequently only accepted those who could demonstrate a minimum IQ score
Today, the school serves students ages 5 to 21 who have a visual impairment, including blindness, and other disabilities, such as hearing impairment and/or complex intellectual disabilities.
Through her legislative efforts in Harrisburg and advocacy in Chester County, Comitta continues to support the disability community. She has worked to secure important investments in nonprofit organizations like the Chester County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Bournelyf Special Camp, and the Arc of Chester County. In addition, Comitta introduced legislation to help ensure that Direct Support Professionals, who assist individuals with disabilities with daily tasks and independent living, are properly compensated for their important work.
For more information on the Royer-Greaves School for the Blind, visit royer-greaves.org
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