Our history

Organisation IRSAM (Regional Institute for the Deaf and Blind of Marseille) was founded in 1858 by Father Louis-Toussaint Dassy, who was deeply concerned about children with sensory disabilities. He established the Religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, and alongside Sister Marie Bouffier, opened the fi rst institution for blind youth, L’Arc en Ciel in Marseille. In 1866, children who were deaf also began to be welcomed.

The development soon extended beyond Marseille, with the opening of facilities for children in Lyon in 1879, and for adults in Nice in 1905. In 1923, the Association IRSAM was created under the French Law of July 1st, 1901, and was officially recognized as being of public utility in 1931.

In 1956, at the request of public authorities, the association established the fi rst center for young people with sensory disabilities on Réunion Island.

From 1980 onwards, IRSAM continued to grow, driven by its reputation and the quality of its services. The organization expanded its care and support capacities with the opening of new institutions in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Réunion.

To this day, the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate remains involved in the Board of Directors of IRSAM and continues to contribute voluntarily to some of the association’s facilities.