Ever Lee Hairston is not only one of the countless Black leaders who work in the field of blindness, or have done so through the years. She is also a civil rights leader – and her experience with the civil rights movement inspired her to help others who are blind, like her. Lighting the flame … Continued
Paul Schroeder, who is Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at APH, has had a successful and satisfying career so far. And he’s quick to credit his parents for making a lot of good decisions after he lost both eyes to retinoblastoma – cancer of the retina – by the time he was two … Continued
As we celebrate Louis Braille’s birthday and World Braille Day on January 4 – and Braille Literacy Month throughout January – it’s an ideal time to consider how important it is for all students who are blind or visually impaired to learn braille. Of course, there are plenty of ways to take in language without sight, from … Continued
Perhaps you’ve noticed your young child is having trouble reading, even though they’ve started building a vocabulary. Maybe a teacher says your teen is having problems seeing the blackboard from an assigned seat, or isn’t meeting their full potential working online. Or it could be that you take your child to the family eye doctor before they … Continued
People with skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are in high demand in the workplace – and the field shows no signs of slowing down in the future. Computer science, including coding, is a viable career option for people who are blind or have visual impairments, because it’s all type-based, making it compatible with screen readers and other assistive technology. … Continued
In this blog Leslie Thatcher, Ed.M., Director of College Succcess@Perkins, shares how Perkins’ Compass Program uses a coaching model to work with students in grades 9 – 12 and their families as they prepare for college success. This blog also appears on APH CareerConnect. Or you can click here to go directly to the APH … Continued
Transition planning typically starts around age 14 or 16, but many programs are available for younger children to help them start to learn about career options. Professionals and parents of students who are visually impaired all have a part to play in preparing them for success. In this blog Neva Fairchild, President talks about why … Continued
Computer coding to create websites and apps is a solid career choice – and one that’s particularly well-suited to people who are blind or visually impaired. That’s why APH ConnectCenter and California College for the Blind are co-hosting the free, virtual 2021 National Coding Symposium for students May 11-14 (details below) to expose students to a wealth of information about the field. One of the biggest … Continued
APH’s Director of Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion, Tai Tomasi, J.D., M.P.A. (she/her/hers), knows a thing or two about learning to be self-sufficient from an early age. One of 27 children adopted from around the world, Tai was born blind due to retinopathy of prematurity. From the beginning, her parents made sure Tai had early intervention … Continued
Everyone knows Stevie Wonder and the late Ray Charles: exceptionally gifted, groundbreaking musicians who also happen to be both Black and blind. But many other Black Americans have shared their talents with the world – or are still doing so – often working to advance the field of blindness and create a more inclusive society. The Black History Month 2021 theme is … Continued