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Category: Assistive Technology

Inspired by the Holidays: Take an “Autumn Walk” and Encourage Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired to Discover the Sights, the Smells, and the Feel of Fall

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Assistive Technology , Books , Education , Getting Around , Holidays , Home Schooling , Independence , Low Vision , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Technology
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I will never forget his question. My transition students and I were on a nature trail walk and it was a particularly rocky section. One teen who was totally blind opted for sighted guide, so I offered him my arm. We all strolled on and chatted; all except this one, typically talkative, teen. “What’s on … Continued

Inspired by the Holidays: Enlisting the Help of Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired with Your Thanksgiving Meal Preparation

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Assistive Technology , Holidays , Home modification , Independence , Low Vision , Online Tools , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Technology , Transition
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Last year Emily Coleman blogged about living skills instruction over the holidays. I know Thanksgiving week can be an intense week of traveling or hosting relatives, and you may feel held captive by the kitchen, but. But what if this week can also be a time for your child who is blind or visually impaired … Continued

Oodles of Resources for Equipping Your Teenager Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired for Successful Employment

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Assistive Technology , Employment , Independence , Online Tools , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Technology , Transition
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Because sometimes you just want to say words like “oodles” to lighten the mood. And the rest of the time you aim to finish laundry, serve a tasty- enough meal, and supply your teenager with information and resources to succeed as a future employee who is blind or visually impaired. While FamilyConnect can’t help you … Continued

Parents, I Present You with “Your Roles” in Readying Your Child who is Blind or Visually Impaired for Future Employment

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Assistive Technology , Education , Employment , Getting Around , Independence , Online Tools , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Transition
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You know preparation for adult roles begins early. For this reason AFB FamilyConnect provides a “Transition to Independence” section within each age-specific category: Babies and Toddlers, Preschoolers, Grade Schoolers, and Teenagers. These (linked) sections provide you, parents of a child with a visual impairment, with an assortment of concepts and skills to impart to your … Continued

Parents of Teens Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: The Foundation for Your Child’s Transition Goals This School Year

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Assistive Technology , Education , Employment , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Skills , Transition
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It feels like yesterday you first laid eyes on your precious one. I know. The days were long, but the years flew. Now it’s high school. High school! That means your child’s adulthood is rapidly approaching, and it’s time to prepare him or her for a satisfying life as a grown-up. If a “satisfying life … Continued

Parents of Teens Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: The Foundation for Your Child’s Transition Goals This School Year

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Assistive Technology , Education , Employment , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Skills , Transition
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It feels like yesterday you first laid eyes on your precious one. I know. The days were long, but the years flew. Now it’s high school. High school! That means your child’s adulthood is rapidly approaching, and it’s time to prepare him or her for a satisfying life as a grown-up. If a “satisfying life … Continued

How to Ease the Transition from Summer Break to a New School Year for Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Assistive Technology , Books , Braille , Education , Getting Around , Independence , Low Vision , Online Tools , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills , Transition
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Yes, it’s a substantial transition. One that repositions our children from the familiarity and comfort of home or daycare in the summer, to brand new classrooms, a different mix of student-peers, unfamiliar teachers, and more intense studies. But don’t fear, the transition from summer break to school can be done well with a little preparation … Continued

Back to School Tips for Parents of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Assistive Technology , Books , Braille , Education , Employment , Getting Around , Independence , Low Vision , Online Tools , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Readers Want to Know , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills , Technology , Transition
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Can it be true? Is it really time for back to school? It seems like the summer just started and here we are at the start of another school year. I hope you all were able to use some of the tips on the summertime activity posts we did on our summertime blog party with … Continued

My Suggestions for College Success

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Assistive Technology , Books , Braille , Education , Employment , Getting Around , Independence , Low Vision , Online Tools , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills , Technology , Transition
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We are pleased to introduce you to Irwin Ramirez who will be blogging for us this summer. Irwin is completing his Master’s Degree in computer science and is working as an intern for the American Foundation for the Blind’s web department. He will be sharing his experiences and perspective as a young adult who is … Continued

Braille for Children’s Clothing

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Assistive Technology , Braille , Independence , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy
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I wanted you to know about a parent who has created a solution for helping her child be independent while dressing. Gracie Benedith has created these items and sent me the pictures and descriptions. As a mother of a legally blind child, I saw the struggles that my son had to deal with getting dressed … Continued