Oh, autumn—we’re so happy you’re here! Can’t you just smell the warm mulling spices, taste the cider, see the fiery foliage, hear the crunch of leaves underfoot, and perhaps best of all, feel the crisp air on your cheeks? In my opinion, this season wins at best exhilarating the senses. For this reason, fall is … Continued
Oh, autumn—we’re so happy you’re here! Can’t you just smell the warm mulling spices, taste the cider, see the fiery foliage, hear the crunch of leaves underfoot, and perhaps best of all, feel the crisp air on your cheeks? In my opinion, this season wins at best exhilarating the senses. For this reason, fall is … Continued
Halloween is a favorite day of the year for many children—candy, costumes, and fall activities, how could it not be?! Your child with a visual impairment can be easily included in all things Halloween and activities leading up to Halloween. Here are a few ideas. Trick-or-Treating If you choose to participate in trick or treating … Continued
Decades before Carol Saylor started to notice that the colors on her canvas were not as bright, and years before the sounds in the classroom and studio were reduced to a low hum, she chose a lifelong path steeped in creation and expression through the fine arts. She listened to her internal voice; she committed … Continued
I have written many times about the benefit of recreation for our son, Eddie, and for kids like him. I’ve talked about exposure to activities so he can simply learn how to have fun. Recently, we went on a family bike ride with our close friends, and the benefits were even more than we expected. … Continued
This past summer, we discussed the unique value that music lessons and music therapy add to your child’s expanded core curriculum (ECC). We highlighted some of the ways that private music lessons, music therapy sessions, and access to music programs in elementary and high schools across the country can enhance social interaction skills, regulate emotions, … Continued
Eddie was able to briefly attend a camp for kids who are blind this summer. The camp is meant to teach independence, recreation, social skills, and other parts of the expanded core curriculum, which is specific to children who are blind or visually impaired. Although his involvement was limited due to some health factors, it … Continued
What if, this summer, you invite your child with a visual impairment (and any siblings) on an adventure of a lifetime. A type of summer "vacation" from the norm, one we’ll call a summer "escape." This adventure will not require leaving the house and is ideal even when cash and time are strapped. It will, … Continued
In the opening of her Ted Talk this past May, Kristin Smedley shared a very honest story about one of many very hard days as the mother of a blind toddler. Michael was three years old, bouncy and delightful. She was paralyzed daily by the fear, anger, and grief that his CRB1 diagnosis caused her. … Continued
This time each year we celebrate the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Each year—is that really necessary? YES! The ADA is the United States of America’s first comprehensive civil rights law protecting people with disabilities from discrimination. I know you’d agree—that can’t be over-celebrated! Provisions of the ADA And just what are … Continued