Editorâs note: Santa gives permission to children who are blind or low vision to touch their “Elf on the Shelf.” We hope you utilize this updated post from parent Holly Bonner of of Blind Motherhood to make the holidays meaningful and accessible for your child! If You Are Blind or Low Vision, You Can Touch The Elf … Continued
My name is Dovile, and I am a mother of two incredible boys, Jacob (6) and Dominic (1). Jacob is our music lover; he fills our house with music and canât imagine his day without the keyboard. Dominic is our explorer; he loves toys, books, and all sensory play! They both were born with LCA … Continued
Editorâs note: When Aimie Strachan was told her daughter needed to wear an eye patch for thirty minutes per day, she began searching for a book to explain the process to her daughter. When she couldnât find a book, she decided to write it herself. Aime Strachan shares her story. Author of âMatildaâs Eye Patchâ … Continued
Share Your Insights and Concerns with the Office of Special Education Programs. Weâre Listening! By Rebecca Sheffield and Eric Caruso As project officers in the U.S. Department of Educationâs Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), we work with grant-funded projects and centers across the United States to support the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities … Continued
Editorâs note: Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) introduces us to Megan Borella who first became involved with GDB when she was paired with a K9 Buddy in 2004. GDBâs K9 Buddy Program matches specially selected dogs to become wonderful pets and buddies to people who are blind or low vision, including children and their … Continued
Editorâs note: Alissa DeSousa shares memories of her son receiving multiple medical diagnoses, both in utero and in early childhood, including cerebral/ cortical visual impairment (CVI). She also shares how she recognized a need for CVI-friendly videos and proceeded to meet the need. Behind the Scenes: Mom Creates CVI-Friendly YouTube Videos When my pregnancy was … Continued
Editorâs note: Brooklyn and Nick are raising two girls with Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited eye condition characterized by a lack of activity in the retina. Today, they share their long road to receiving diagnoses. If you, too, have a child diagnosed with an eye condition, please know that 1) You are not alone, 2) … Continued
by Daniel Bair Editorâs note: Career Exploration is a critical component of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for high-school students and transition-age youth who are blind orâŻlow vision.⯠The W.I.O.A. act set aside IDEA money to develop transition experiences for high-school age students with disabilities.âŻBlindness vocational rehabilitation programs have responded with creative Pre-Employment opportunities for … Continued
by Dr. Lauren Lieberman and Ruth Childs Editorâs Note: Dr. Lauren Lieberman and Ruth Childs share information about a seven-part APH ConnectCenter webinar series where Dr. Lieberman and additional experts will provide information, examples, and tools to support access to recreation and physical activity for all children, including those who are blind or low vision. … Continued
by Jaida Burrows Editorâs Note: Growing up with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment (CVI), high school Junior, Jaida, shares how she doesnât see her challenges as âbarriersâ; she sees âpuzzlesâ that she can solve. Jaidaâs parents raised her to be a self-advocate. Starting in middle school, Jaida was empowered to share her story which … Continued