Literacy Resources: Teaching Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision to Read and Write

FamilyConnect has tips for every stage of development to help parents of children who are blind or visually impaired develop critical literacy skills. In this section, you’ll find information on the following:

• Methods for Literacy for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
• An Overview of Braille
• Beyond Braillewriter Mechanics: Guidelines for Teaching Writing
• An Overview of Alternate Media
• Early Tools of Literacy for Your Child Who Is Blind or Visually Impaired
• Fun Activities for Teaching Magnifier Use
• Choosing the Right iPad App for Teaching Braille Literacy

You can also read stories from other parents of children with visual impairments and discover how they implemented literacy instruction.

• Reading Comes Naturally: A Mother and Her Blind Child’s Experiences
• How Dads (and Others) Can Help Blind Children Make Mother’s Day Cards that Are Meaningful for Mom

For resources and advice on literacy skills by age, check out these articles in FamilyConnect’s “Browse by Age” section. You’ll find information for babies and toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, and teenagers.

• Helping Your Blind or Visually Impaired Baby Learn About Reading and Writing
• Promoting Your Preschooler’s Development of Reading and Writing Skills
• Helping Your Grade Schooler Develop Literacy Skills
• How Students Who Are Blind Read and Write
• How Students with Low Vision Read and Write
• Reading and Making Tactile Books with Your Child

And for parents, these interviews with Dr. Cay Holbrook offer advice on how to promote your child’s literacy skills as part of the expanded core curriculum.

• Braille Literacy and the Expanded Core Curriculum
• Three Things Parents Should Know About Literacy Skills
• What Can Families Do at Home to Support Literacy Skills?
• How Can Professionals Help Parents Reinforce Literacy Skills?
• What Are the Benefits of Parent/Professional Collaboration on Literacy Skills?