When she came to Haiti in 1943, Sister Joan Margaret of the Society of St. Margaret, was dismayed to discover that nowhere in Haiti was there a facility to serve disabled children. Those children who were blind, deaf, speech impaired or physically handicapped were simply ignored or hidden. Beginning with five students, Sister Joan Margaret founded St. Vincent's in 1945. Since then it grown to become a multi-service facility that provides preschool through high school education, vocational training, physical therapy and medical care. Nearly 400 students are enrolled; more than 200 live at the school. The medical clinic, which includes a small surgical suite, sees over 1000 patients a month for primary care, developmental evaluation and 20-30 corrective surgical procedures. Common orthopedic problems include scoliosis, polio, cerebral palsy, rickets and Pott's Disease (spinal T.B.)

Corrective procedures are done by volunteer Haitian physicians. Rotating teams of physicians from the U.S. and Canada provide eye care as well as testing and treatment for hearing losses. A separate special school, established in 1976, provides care for brain- damaged children.

St. Vincent's services include a brace shop - the only one in Haiti - which provides custom made braces and shoes. The staff members of the shop are all deaf and are former students of St. Vincent's. Working with wood and metal they provide mobility to many of the handicapped children.