Skip to Content

Category: Self-Advocacy

A Celebration of 26 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and a Call to Action

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Employment , Independence , Public Policy , Self-Advocacy
By

Twenty-six years ago President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is one of civil protection to Americans with health issues, military combat injuries, and disabilities alike. ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for said persons in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, telecommunication, commercial … Continued

Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, You Are the Key to Your Childā€™s Services

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Education , Self-Advocacy
By

Here I am in the lobby of the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in the greater area of Washington, D.C. Day two of the three-day American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Leadership Conference is complete, and I have eagerly listened and learned from many leaders in the field of blindness and visual impairment. You see, you … Continued

Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, You Are the Key to Your Childā€™s Services

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Education , Self-Advocacy
By

Here I am in the lobby of the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in the greater area of Washington, D.C. Day two of the three-day American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Leadership Conference is complete, and I have eagerly listened and learned from many leaders in the field of blindness and visual impairment. You see, you … Continued

Is My Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired Receiving Adequate Services?

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Education , Self-Advocacy
By

We worry. We wonder if our children are receiving adequate vision-related services, as well as additional special-education or therapeutic services. Many parents haven’t traversed this road before; we’re uncertain. We worry. Worried one, you are not alone on this road. Many walk beside you and even more have walked before. Let’s pool together resources and … Continued

Holiday Reflections

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Holidays , Independence , Low Vision , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation
By

This guest blog post was written by long-time NAPVI Regional Coordinator Jeannette Christie, who works with families in the greater New York City region. Aww, the holidays. They can be joyful and stressful all at the same time. I think back to the time when my son was little and playing with toys. I remember … Continued

Inspired by the Holidays: Volunteering with Your Older Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Arts and Leisure , Employment , Holidays , Independence , Low Vision , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills , Transition
By

Can I tell you my favorite holiday memory from childhood? I was 8 or 10; my parents, siblings, and I bundled up and squeezed into the minivan on our way to ā€œMeals on Wheelsā€. We collected about 4 single-serving hot meals; slices of roasted turkey, runny mashed potatoes, green beans, and pecan pie enclosed in … 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
By

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: Encouraging Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired to Get Curious About Careers

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Books , Employment , Holidays , Low Vision , Personal Reflections , Planning for the Future , Reading , Self-Advocacy , Social Skills , Transition
By

I guess you could say Iā€™m as inspired by the holidays as I am by Emily Colemanā€™s blog series: “A Holiday Approach to the Expanded Core Curriculum“. Take, for instance, Emilyā€™s advice to have your child ask family members about their careers in the blog post, ā€œCareer Education for the Holidaysā€. This is where I … 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
By

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

Inspired by the Holidays: Imparting the Discipline of Gratitude to Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Holidays , Planning for the Future , Self-Advocacy , Social Life and Recreation , Social Skills , Transition
By

Last year, Emily Coleman blogged about teaching social skills over the holidays; itā€™s a must read. And if you read it last year, itā€™s a must re-read. Inspired by Thanksgiving, I want to address the specific social skill of gratitude. Itā€™s really more than a social skill; itā€™s a life skill, or more accurately, itā€™s … Continued