VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 1
In 1924, MSB made history by allowing its students to attend mainstream
high schools like City College and Eastern High School in Baltimore. This was a
revolutionary step, marking MSB as the first institution in the United States to
mainstream blind students in such a way (American Foundation for the Blind,
2021).
Embracing Change and Expanding Services
The 1950s and 1960s were periods of expansion for MSB, both in terms of
facilities and programming. The school began accepting deaf-blind students in
1952, a move that showcased its commitment to inclusivity (Maryland Archives,
2023). By the 1970s, MSB expanded services to support students with multiple
disabilities, many affected by the rubella epidemic of the 1960s.
In 1974, new federal legislation mandated education for all children with
disabilities, reinforcing MSB's mission to serve students of all abilities. Dr.
Richard L. Welsh, Superintendent in the late 1970s, led the school through a
transformative period of facility improvements and new programming, such as the
construction of a health center and a therapeutic pool.
Recent Milestones
Over the past decade, MSB has undergone a comprehensive campus
transformation to meet the evolving needs of its student body. Today, 96% of MSB
students have multiple disabilities, underscoring the importance of accessible
