HISTORY OF AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED: THE INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND OF CENTRAL BRAZIL IN UBERABA (MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL, 1942-1959)

Abstract This paper communicate the results of research about The Institute for the Blind of Central Brazil - ICBC. The period is from 1942 (the foundation of the institution), to 1959 (when it was declared a municipal public services entity). This analysis is based on contextualization of Special Education in Brazil and in the state of Minas Gerais for the purpose of understanding the process of creating the Institute. Theoretical references for this research were Magalhães (2004) and Buffa and Nosella (2009). The evidence used was gathered from the historical collection of the ICBC itself, as well as the collection of the Alceu Novaes School. The results obtained enabled understanding of how the institution arose in the city of Uberaba, its socioeducational role, and the importance it had in integrating the visually impaired in regular schools from 1942 to 1959.