15 years of Impact: From No doors to Opening New Ones

Fifteen years ago, the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Childhood Development Center (ECDC) opened without walls or a kitchen—just a vision: to create a place where children of all abilities could learn, grow, and thrive together. What began as a single room with a small group of children is now a vibrant center serving more than 40 students annually—both blind or visually impaired (BVI) and sighted—united in an integrated classroom built on empathy, access, and opportunity.

The ECDC model is founded on inclusion, not just in enrollment, but in everyday experience. In shared spaces where BVI and sighted children learn side-by-side, discovery is mutual and meaningful. For parents, it’s a place of trust and partnership. For children, it’s a place where differences aren’t barriers, they’re bridges.

Over the years, ECDC has added specialized spaces like a STEM room, launched partnerships with local organizations like Wichita State University and Rainbows United, and developed a staff culture grounded in trust and advocacy. Children engage weekly in art and music, explore nature through sensory play, and are met where they are—each day, every day.
ECDC has become a trusted space for children to experience early education rooted in curiosity, confidence, and compassion. It’s also a place where families find connections and support during some of the most formative years of their child’s development.

“We want families to feel supported, respected, and empowered,” ECDC Director Teresa Houston said. “We're not out here to compete with regular daycare centers. We’re out here to bring early childhood education to those visually impaired and blind students and their families. It's for parents that struggle with isolation.”

Some of the most powerful signs of success aren’t in the curriculum but in the long-term impact. ECDC alumni have returned to Envision as employees and mentors, creating a full-circle legacy of inclusion and leadership.

Looking ahead, Envision Dallas is preparing to open its own ECDC, building on the lessons learned in Wichita. With stronger infrastructure and a foundation already rooted in experience, the Dallas center will carry forward the same mission: to make early education not just accessible, but transformative.