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Transitions: Introducing Payton Polk, STEAM Student and APH-Papano Scholarship Recipient for 2021

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: science , steam , STEM , Transition
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Editor’s Note: Meet Payton Polk, the 2021 recipient of the APH-Papano Scholarship for STEAM students.  Payton, a biochemistry major at UCLA and shares her experiences navigating classes at UCLA as a person with a visual impairment.  This blog also appears on the APH CareerConnect website.  APH: Hi Payton! Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Would you begin by telling us a little about … Continued

Transitions: From Legacy to Legendary: Thrive with APH CareerConnect

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: career exploration , Employment , Transition
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Editor’s Note: APH ConnectCenter and APH CareerConnect are thrilled to introduce Richard Rueda as APH CareerConnect’s new Digital Content Manager. Richard brings two decades of experience in transition and vocational rehabilitation experience to the ConnectCenter.  Learn about how APH CareerConnect supports and empowers blind and low-vision job seekers from high school through mid-career as they … Continued

Holiday Hospitality and Etiquette for Children and Teens Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: ECC , Holidays , social interaction skills
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Tonight, I’m heading to my friend’s for dinner and a movie. Do you know what’s funny? I can almost hear my mom’s voice, “Shannon, don’t go empty-handed.” Mom will be pleased; I’ll come bearing ginger snap tea, a simple holiday treat, for my host. The season of all seasons is upon us (finally!) and plans … Continued

Transitions: The Benefits of Working

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Employment , seie , social security , ssdi , ssi
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Editor’s Note: Blind from birth, Karen Shrawder shares the importance of work experience opportunities for all youth, especially transition-age youth with visual impairments.  Thanks to high-quality educational and Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) experiences, Karen is now sharing her passion for employment with others as a Work Incentives Practitioner with the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) The Benefits of Working.  This blog also appears … Continued

“No, Thank You. I can do it”: Preventing Learned Helplessness

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Communication , Home modification , Independence , multiple disabilities , parenting , Self-Advocacy
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Imagine you are shopping for groceries, safely crossing a street, playing with your child at the park, utilizing an elevator, or completing a routine job task. You’re accomplishing what you have successfully accomplished for so many days and years. Your arm is clutched by a well-meaning individual wanting to “rescue” you, or you hear, “I’ve … Continued

Orientation and Mobility for Your Child Who Uses or Will Use a Wheelchair

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Getting Around , Independence , multiple disabilities , Orientation and Mobility , parenting
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Perhaps you are here today with apprehension or concern, eager to learn how your child will travel when blind or visually impaired and using a wheelchair (whether full-time or part-time). You aren’t sure how orientation and mobility (travel training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired) will work when your child isn’t walking. Is … Continued

In Celebration of NDEAM: We Look Back, We Advocate, and We Plan for Gainful Employment

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Employment , expanded core curriculum , Independence , multiple disabilities , Online Tools , Self-Advocacy , Transition
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Hello, October, arguably the most magnificent month—not (only) because of the sensational scents, sights, and sips of fall, but (also) because October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, NDEAM for short. In celebration: We stop and remember. We educate others. We plan and gear up for the future. Why? Because, as is the 2021 NDEAM … Continued

Transitions: White Cane Safety Day

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Independence , Orientation and Mobility , Transition
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by VisionAware peer, Steve Kelley Written by VisionAware peer, Steve Kelley, this great overview of National White Cane Safety Day was originally posted on APH’s VisionAware website. Orientation and mobility (O&M) skills are critical to the independence of all people with vision loss, regardless of age. To learn about how O&M is taught at different … Continued

Here We Go! Orientation and Mobility Instruction by Age

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: Independence , Orientation and Mobility , parenting
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Editor’s Note: In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson established October 15th as White Cane Safety Day to raise awareness of people who use a white cane.  This post is the first in our series leading up to White Cane Day on October 15th. Stabilization. Strength. Motor function and control. Balance. Coordination. Awareness of one’s body and … Continued

Transitions: Perkins’ Compass Program Prepares Students for College Success

From: FamilyConnect Blog
Categories: career exploration , Careers , ECC , expanded core curriculum , Transition
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In this blog Leslie Thatcher, Ed.M., Director of College Succcess@Perkins, shares how Perkins’ Compass Program uses a coaching model to work with students in grades 9 – 12 and their families as they prepare for college success. This blog also appears on APH CareerConnect. Or you can click here to go directly to the APH … Continued