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Category: Advocacy

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

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Advocacy , college , rehabilitation
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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

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

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Advocacy , Education , parenting , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future
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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

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

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Advocacy , Ask the Experts , ECC , Education , IEP , parenting , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future
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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€œIEP” 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

Preparing Your Child Who is Blind or Low Vision for Kindergarten

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Advocacy , Assistive Technology , Books , Braille , Communication , Coronavirus , ECC , Education , expanded core curriculum , literacy , parenting , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy
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Such a whirlwind of bittersweet emotions—kindergarten is approaching! It’s hard to believe how quickly the years have passed, isn’t it? Your little one went from complete dependence on you to making strides toward independence. Thankfully your child’s absolute preciousness hasn’t changed, but their level of autonomy has. So, let’s take a look at how you can be preparing your child for increased independence in preparation for kindergarten.  Working … Continued

National Freedom of Information Day, and Your Child’s Right to Braille

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Advocacy , Braille , literacy
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The National Freedom of Information Day (March 16th) is a day Americans, with renewed energy, re-mind ourselves of the importance of government transparency. We the people have a right to information.   The very idea of â€œfreedom of information” re-energizes and re-minds me that people who are blind AND people who have low vision have a right to information. They have a right to access stories, … Continued

Working Together to Provide Meaningful Health Education to Students with Visual Impairments

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Advocacy , Education , science
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Editor’s note: This blog post was written by Stacy Kelly, Ed.D and Gaylen Kapperman, Ed.D. of Northern Illinois University. They will join us for a webinar on February 17 at 3:00PM ET. Visit the APH ConnectCenter webinars page to learn more and register. Parent-professional partnerships make a difference for students who are blind or have low … Continued

Eddie is sitting next to his teacher, Julie, reading APH's "Splish the Fish" in braille using hand-under-hand while both are smiling.

My Version of “The Bill of Rights”

From: Raising a Child Who Is Blind and...
Categories: Advocacy , IEP
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Last year, a document was created by the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB) and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI). The document is titled, “A Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairment and their Families.” The idea for this document came about … Continued

Mother with arm around daughter smiling sitting on front porch