âI wore glasses from the age I was five, but I donât think that made me want to be an optometrist,â says Dr. Adam Ramsey â Owner & Optometrist at Socialite Vision and Co-founder of Black Eyecare Perspective. âWhen I was young, I visited more than twenty eye doctors, and not one asked me if … Continued
Editorâs note: Meredith Howell reflects on learning that her daughter, Lola, has low vision and multiple disabilities. She looks back at the value of early intervention services and shares that she is now the regional director of Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) Indiana. Early Intervention with Lola: A Motherâs Perspective When I was told my … Continued
I recently met with a first-grade student for our second orientation and mobility (O&M) lesson. He had been issued a cane and tip by a previous certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS). At about 20 minutes into our 60-minute lesson, he began to complain of being tired. This puzzled me because I have been his … Continued
Editorâs note: When Aimie Strachan was told her daughter needed to wear an eye patch for thirty minutes per day, she began searching for a book to explain the process to her daughter. When she couldnât find a book, she decided to write it herself. Aime Strachan shares her story. Author of âMatildaâs Eye Patchâ … Continued
Share Your Insights and Concerns with the Office of Special Education Programs. Weâre Listening! By Rebecca Sheffield and Eric Caruso As project officers in the U.S. Department of Educationâs Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), we work with grant-funded projects and centers across the United States to support the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities … Continued
A guide dog is more than manâs â or womanâs â best friend. For people who are blind or low vision, a guide dog is a loyal companion that makes navigating the world easier. Emily Nelson, a 17-year-old high school senior from Indiana, canât wait to get her dog guide. Sheâs doing her best to … Continued
Itâs not unusual for parents to advocate for their children, even if theyâre not blind or visually impaired. But Wendy Hardman and her husband, John, like many parents, did something even more valuable for their son, Cole: They taught him to advocate for himself from the start. (See related story on CareerConnect, Parents teaching children to … Continued
Editorâs note: September is Albinism Awareness Month. In effort to increase awareness of albinism and subsequent low vision in children, APH FamilyConnect shares a dadâs story of learning his young son has albinism. A Dadâs Perspective: Learning My Son Has Albinism Benjamin was born in November 2017. He was fair-skinned and blonde and looked exactly … Continued
Editorâs note: September is National Guide Dog Month! In honor, Melissa Schenkel introduces us to Zahra and the team that is preparing her for her future handler who is blind or low vision. Raising a Dog Guide: People Helping Puppies to Help People Meet Zahra. She is half Labrador retriever and half golden retriever. She … Continued
It can certainly feel daunting when your child or teen who is blind or low vision is transitioning to their next season of education (elementary, middle, high school, or college)! Much like the popular childrenâs book series First Day Jitters, you and your maturing child may have jittersâand more than a few! You may both … Continued