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
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
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
Parents and family members of children with cerebral visual impairment, a brain-based visual processing disorder, are far from alone. According to the Boston Children’s Hospital, cerebral/ cortical visual impairment (CVI) is the most common cause of permanent vision loss in children.Despite its prevalence, it isn’t widely understood. Advocating for Your Child Because CVI research is … Continued
Your child has likely sunk their teeth into a crisp apple bursting with sweet juices or taken spoonfuls of sugary, smooth applesauce with notes of warm cinnamon, but do they know how their snack came to be? Do they know how apples are grown and harvested? Do they truly know what an apple tree is? Have they run their fingers over the scaly bark, wrapped their arms around the girth … Continued
by Shannon Carollo Do you remember your first experience with a school locker? It’s often equal parts exciting, surprisingly convenient, and anxiety-producing. Locker use is exciting because it’s a rite of passage leaving one feeling like a mature student—and how wonderful that, unlike driving, it is an accessible rite of passage for our children who … Continued
It sure is getting hot outside! The temperature isn’t the only thing rising—so is our desire to have a little summer fun. Why not gather the family to make and eat ice lollies?!—that’s the endearing name for popsicles here in the United Kingdom. I’m all in—in fact, today I purchased silicone popsicle molds. While they’re not necessary for popsicle making, they sure simplify the task. If you aren’t quite sure how to safely involve your … Continued
Toilet training is often viewed as a looming hurdle, a giant obstacle, and an exhausting feat. One requiring patience upon patience. We parents arm ourselves with a litany of literature, hoping to prepare our children for success and ourselves with realistic expectations, but most toilet-training literature is written for children who are fully sighted. While … Continued
Get out the suits and sunscreen, it’s pool time! Swimming is a welcome reprieve from the heat and a phenomenal no-impact exercise for the entire family. But don’t take it from me: Letticia Martinez, Paralympian swimmer who is blind, shares her story to encourage parents. Let’s dive into accessibility considerations for your child who is … Continued
My hope is your family is able to unwind this summer on holiday. If you’re feeling unsettled about staying in a hotel during a pandemic, or you’re seeking the serenity of nature, perhaps this is the summer for a camping adventure! I will never forget our first camping experience as a family. We bundled up our only child (at the time), packed … Continued