An Overview of Assessments for Children Birth Through Three Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

A warm hello to you, parent or family member of a young child who is blind or visually impaired. My assumption is you are here because your child has recently been diagnosed with an eye condition, or you suspect your child has a visual impairment. You likely wonder if your child is eligible for vision-related … Continued

The Indelible Impact of Louis Braille

When I decided to go back to school to become a teacher of students with visual impairments, I shared my decision with a friend and teacher’s assistant in special education for over 21 years. While her class is not specifically for students with visual impairments, she has always made a point to read the story … Continued

Braille Tales: Free Book Program for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Editor’s note: Today’s blog post is about the American Printing House for the Blind’s “Braille Tales Book Program” for children who are blind or visually impaired. This free program offers participating families six free print/braille books per year up to the child’s sixth birthday. Visually impaired mother, Holly Bonner, shares her story of using “Braille … Continued

The Importance of Braille: World Braille Day 2017

There’s just something about braille, isn’t there? By “something” I’m actually not referring to how downright adorable it is to watch a toothless babe patting the pages of a braille book, or how we’re beaming with pride when a six-year-old (whose grin exposes she’s also rather toothless) reads a simple sentence of her braille work. … Continued

Accessible Valentines for Your Child or Adult Who is Blind or Just Loves Braille!

Valentine’s Day is right along the corner. Nothing could be better than to give or receive a fully accessible card in braille. This is possible but time is running out. We have several recommendations but they are time sensitive so check out our Valentine’s Day Card, Craft, and Gift Ideas for Children Who Are Blind … Continued

Welcome UEB: A Little History, Resources, and a Call for Input from Families!

Editor’s note: This is the third blog entry that both informs and requests the assistance of families in answering important questions that impact all who use braille. Please help Drs. Holly Lawson and Kathryn Botsford with this effort. This is an exciting month: Louis Braille’s birthday, World Braille Day, and the United States has officially … Continued

The Code That Changed the Course of History. Happy Birthday, Louis Braille.

The year was 1821. On a day like any other, 12-year-old Louis Braille, blinded from an eye injury in his father’s leather shop and subsequent double-eye infection, attended school outside of Paris. This day, however, he met Captain Charles Barbier. Barbier, a retired artillery officer, showcased his invention to Louis’ class. The invention was called … Continued

Inspired by the Holidays: A Letter from Santa and Literacy Galore for Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired

Thank you, holiday season, for generating major motivation for our beautiful little people to read and write. When my children come home from school this afternoon I will ask them to write a Christmas wish list. I’ll grin as I watch their uncharacteristic enthusiasm for literacy. My oldest, the perfectionist, will ask for help with … Continued

Seeking Family Members for a Focus Group Study on Unified English Braille eLearning Platform

Editor’s note: This is the second blog entry that both informs and requests the assistance of families in answering important questions that impact all who use braille. Please help Holly Lawson and Kathryn Botsford with this effort. Unified English Braille (UEB) is almost here… Braille is getting a makeover. In January 2016, students, adult consumers, … Continued

Parents Can Now Learn ABCs of UEB

Editor’s note; we bring you more resources for the topic of the transition into UEB. By Sheryl Bass, The Hadley School for the Blind An exciting new introductory braille instructional course has just become available through the Family Education Program at The Hadley School for the Blind entitled Introduction to Braille, UEB Edition. The Hadley … Continued