Since having my second daughter, I have come to realize just how difficult it can be for a blind mother of two toddlers to get around. Cumbersome car seats, a double wide stroller, and a back breaking diaper bag are just some of the baby essentials necessary for even the shortest spring outing. Although I … Continued
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
As you prepare your visually impaired teenager for independence, remember to stay focused on the big picture by helping your teen discover what it will to take to prepare her for a satisfying adult life. This will almost surely mean your child will need to pursue training in independent living skills, Orientation and Mobility, social … Continued
I have not always loved my white cane. Iām twenty eight now and donāt like to be out of the house without my cane, even if Iām not using it. It gives me a sense of security and independence that I really donāt like to be without. But it was not always that way. Not … Continued
Editor’s Note: We welcome this post and project from Wonderbaby which is one of our favorite sites. Please participate as we would all love to see pictures of your darling child with their cane! We all have favorite holidays. I’ve always loved Easter with its spring crafts and Easter egg hunts, but of course nothing … Continued
You might know it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and I was offered the opportunity to share some information with you. I manage the American Foundation for the Blind’s CareerConnect program. APH CareerConnect is a career exploration, job seeking skills, navigating the employment process, and e-mentoring web program. You might guess that I am … Continued
You know preparation for adult roles begins early. For this reason AFB FamilyConnect provides a āTransition to Independenceā 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
While you can’t learn orientation and mobility (travel) skills for your child who is blind or visually impaired, you certainly can support your childās acquisition of skills. In fact, I want to share a variety of ways you can get involved, encourage, and motivate your child toward mobility success this school year. I call these … Continued
It is back to school season and thousands of students are returning to elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. Many visually impaired students have to do special preparation to go back to school. As a graduate student I would like to suggest some tips in preparation for school. Preparation is very important for a … Continued
Yes, itās 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 donāt fear, the transition from summer break to school can be done well with a little preparation … Continued