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Category: Orientation and Mobility

Why Might My Child with Low Vision Need Orientation and Mobility Training?

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Orientation and Mobility
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Imagine yourself, typically a fine traveler, walking up to the ticket counter to purchase one ticket for The Jungle Book. No problem, right? Double checking your ticket, you walk toward theater 10. You open the door and step forward. It’s dark. “Oh great,” you think, for you cannot navigate well in a dimly lit environment … Continued

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

Odds and Ends and Homeschool in Braille

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Education , Home Schooling , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Technology
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The joy of home school is setting your own school time. You also have the flexibility to change the time based on needs and progress. Three to three-and-a-half hours of day in home school translates into a good 5 to 6 hours of public school with arrive times, bells, class change, recess, lunch, and ready … Continued

Practical, Research-Based Tips for Preparing Your Teen who is Blind or Visually Impaired for Gainful Employment

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Education , Employment , Getting Around , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Transition
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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

From Intolerable to Indispensable: Learning to Love my White Cane

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Getting Around , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills
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I have not always loved my white cane. I’m twenty eight now and don’t like to be out of the house without my cane, even if I’m not using it. It gives me a sense of security and independence that I really don’t like to be without. But it was not always that way. Not … Continued

White Cane Day: Post Your Picture!

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Getting Around , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections
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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

Erik Weheinmayer Employment Interview

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Employment , Getting Around , Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Sports , Transition
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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

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
By

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