Transitions: There’s an App for That: Preparing Your Child Who’s Blind or Visually Impaired for a Successful Transition to Adulthood (The 4to24 App)

Parents and caregivers of children who are blind or visually impaired, you have an important role in helping your child prepare for a successful transition to adulthood. And did you know a successful transition starts in early childhood?! It’s true.  The book Beyond High School: Preparing Adolescents for Tomorrow’s Challenges states “For students with disabilities, … Continued

Transitions: Zero Discrimination Day: A Discussion on Ableism

Editor’s Note: Zero Discrimination Day is a great opportunity to explore discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities.  Youth with blindness and low vision often experience peers viewing them as different.   This might take the form of peers performing mini eye tests and asking questions about what a person can or cannot see instead … Continued

Transitions: Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation Services as a High School Student Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired!

Editor’s Note: APH CareerConnect program manager, Richard Rueda, shares how youth who are blind or visually impaired can prepare for college and career success by utilizing local Vocational Rehabilitation services.  If your child is exploring post-high school transition, be sure to check out our APH CareerConnect resources and our Success Stories about blind and low-vision … Continued

Linking Arms: Support Groups for Parents of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

We’re thankful you frequent the APH FamilyConnect blog to gather resources and instructional ideas, and to reflect on how to empower your child who is blind or visually impaired to set their expectations high and reach their goals. We understand, however, that while the APH FamilyConnect blog is a robust resource, it has a limitation—it … Continued

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Part 1: Joanna and Chrissa’s Journey

If your child has been diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), you are not alone! According to Dr. Borchert for The MAGIC Foundation, Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is the leading cause of blindness in infants and children.   Let’s look at a brief summary of ONH and listen to a mom share her story of her … Continued

You’ve Touched My Heart! Tactile Heart Valentine Card Tutorial

You’ve Touched My Heart! Tactile Heart Valentine Card Tutorial  We’re talking Valentine card preparations—but not adding signatures to your standard store-bought notes—accessible, tactile designing! While the finished product can still look creative and beautiful, our main aim is for them to be tactually interesting and enjoyable to create.  Not too long ago my daughter came … Continued

Illuminating the IEP, Part Three: Top 10 List for Parents in the IEP Process

What does a parent or caregiver need to know about the IEP process?   So far we’ve looked at the purpose of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP): An â€śIEP” is designed to set forth the way a school will meet the educational and disability-related needs of the child. We’ve also looked at the components of an IEP meeting, including what will be discussed and … Continued

Braille Literacy Month: Emergent Literacy for Individuals Who Are Blind or Deafblind

Have you ever thought about how people learn? As I have written on previously (for instance, in the blog Explore an Orchard with Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired), and as you have no doubt witnessed in your own learning endeavors and when teaching your child(ren), individuals learn when they are able to make connections.  People aren’t blank slates on which we simply download or impart information; individuals understand concepts … Continued

Computer Science Education Week: People Who Are Blind Can Harness the Magic of Technology Too!

In recognition of Computer Science Education Week, December 6-12, 2021, let’s take a peek into the world of computer science and its accessibility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  What is computer science?  Do you want the technical or “Shannon” definition? Let’s start with the technical.  According to Master’s in Data Science, computer science is the study of … Continued

Transitions: Introducing Payton Polk, STEAM Student and APH-Papano Scholarship Recipient for 2021

Editor’s Note: Meet Payton Polk, the 2021 recipient of the APH-Papano Scholarship for STEAM students.  Payton, a biochemistry major at UCLA and shares her experiences navigating classes at UCLA as a person with a visual impairment.  This blog also appears on the APH CareerConnect website.  APH: Hi Payton! Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Would you begin by telling us a little about … Continued