Is your child who is blind or low vision with additional disabilities preparing for a lifetime of meaningful employment? While transition and career readiness are mandated in your child’s IEP by the age of 16, career readiness has its place in your child’s educational programming from day one of entering school. But what does career … Continued
Valentine’s Day is upon us, and you’re likely planning for your child’s classroom card exchange. Famous for its paper hearts, glitter, and lace, it’s a common time for crafting in the preschool and elementary school world. As parents, some of us love it, and some of us hate it. And then a few of us … Continued
Editor’s 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 Mother’s Perspective When I was told my … Continued
It’s not unusual for parents to advocate for their children, even if they’re 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
Editor’s note: Alissa DeSousa shares memories of her son receiving multiple medical diagnoses, both in utero and in early childhood, including cerebral/ cortical visual impairment (CVI). She also shares how she recognized a need for CVI-friendly videos and proceeded to meet the need. Behind the Scenes: Mom Creates CVI-Friendly YouTube Videos When my pregnancy was … Continued
Hello, I’m Gwynnie-Gwyn-Gwyn, the storyteller and creator of the Story Time Show, a show that is inclusive of the whole family or class. It’s a show that has children with complex learning needs and their families at its heart. It’s a show that aims to have FUN! Can you imagine the joy of your family … Continued
Editor’s note: Is your child or young adult an individual with deafblindness? Do you wonder what it’s like to be DeafBlind? In recognition of DeafBlind Awarness Month, George Stern shares his perspective on living with deafblindness. George is a deafblind Afro-Caribbean immigrant who’s interested in all things food, linguistic, and social justice. Several lifetimes ago, … Continued
by Dr. Lauren Lieberman and Ruth Childs Editor’s Note: Dr. Lauren Lieberman and Ruth Childs share information about a seven-part APH ConnectCenter webinar series where Dr. Lieberman and additional experts will provide information, examples, and tools to support access to recreation and physical activity for all children, including those who are blind or low vision. … Continued
by Jaida Burrows Editor’s Note: Growing up with cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment (CVI), high school Junior, Jaida, shares how she doesn’t see her challenges as “barriers”; she sees “puzzles” that she can solve. Jaida’s parents raised her to be a self-advocate. Starting in middle school, Jaida was empowered to share her story which … Continued
Have you ever thought about how people learn? As I have written on previously (for instance, in the blog Explore an Orchard with Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired), and as you have no doubt witnessed in your own learning endeavors and when teaching your child(ren), individuals learn when they are able to make connections. People aren’t blank slates on which we simply download or impart information; individuals understand concepts … Continued