New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired gets $6M for upgrades

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is undergoing a $6 million upgrade to enhance accessibility for children in wheelchairs.

The expansion will include a new cafeteria, a safer bus loop, and a brand-new playground with a wheelchair ramp and inclusive merry-go-round. These improvements aim to make the school more like a traditional setting.

“We are truly excited about it because the expansion will allow us to meet our students’ needs better and prepare them so they can be more independent when they move on to the next school setting,” said Paul Kilman, principal of the Early Childhood Program.

The school’s early learning program is located in Albuquerque and serves preschool and kindergarten students. The program focuses on teaching social skills and foundational skills for kindergarten.

“By going to the playground with an inclusive playground, children can start playing with each other. And children are the best at— they don’t care about who you are or where you’re coming from, they just see you,” said Kilman.

The school aims to create independence for its students, helping them transition to public schools and succeed despite vision impairments.

The project is awaiting a final vote from Albuquerque’s Environmental Planning Commission. Construction is expected to begin by July 2026 and take about a year to complete.