All News Blog Posts

  • Seizure Sensor
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    8 votes

    An EEG Watch?

    Can a watch-like sensor replace the EEG? Researchers say that this watch can detect seizure activity by measuring "sympathetically mediated electrodermal activity" which "has been suggested as containing enough information to profile a seizure." They say they can even predict seizures with this watch.
  • NAPVI Conference, 2012
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    13 votes

    NAPVI Conference 2012: Families Connecting with Families

    The NAPVI 2012 Families Connecting with Families Conference will be held July 27th through 29th in Newton Massachusetts, right outside of Boston. Will you be there?
  • Hadley School for the Blind
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    19 votes

    Hadley Family Courses Now on eReaders!

    Hadley is now offering their free Family Education Program on ebooks. This is especially convenient for busy parents on the go!
  • A happy little boy
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    14 votes

    Perkins Early Connections Conference 2012

    The Perkins Early Connections Conference, Taking Care of Our Children... Taking Care of Ourselves, will be held on April 28, 2012, at Perkins' Watertown campus. This annual conference offers a unique opportunity for parents of children with visual impairments (ages birth-7) and professionals to come together to learn new information and to network.
  • Baby in a Wingbo
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    12 votes

    Wingbo Giveaway!

    Original Baby Company is giving away a free Wingbo tummy time swing to one lucky winner! And it's not just for babies, you can also hang it with long ropes for older children, so check out the giveaway and enter!
  • Screenshot of video on CNN
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    9 votes

    Braille Keyboard for Smartphones

    Watch a video of an app developer demonstrating his new braille keyboard app on an iPhone. The new app will allow blind users to type using a touch screen.
  • Second Sight Logo
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    10 votes

    Artificial Retina Approved for Sale in Europe

    Second Sight announces that their artificial retina (also known as a retinal microchip), the Argus II, is now available for public purchase in Europe.
  • Tami Morehouse
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    9 votes

    Gene Therapy Update

    Tami Morehouse, a patient with LCA, reports on how her vision has improved after having both eyes treated with gene therapy. Her story appears in BBC Health News.
  • Mission Believe logo
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    10 votes

    2012 Mission Believe Camp

    If you live in Missouri, be sure to check out this free summer camp for blind students in middle and high school from the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri.
  • University of Florida logo
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    9 votes

    Gene Therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa

    Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a possible method for treating X-linked retinitis pigmentosa using gene therapy.
  • Advanced Cell Technology
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    9 votes

    Stem Cell Therapy Found Safe in Phase 1/2 Study

    Advanced Cell Technologies, a leading research company in the field of regenerative medicine, is reporting that a recent study to test the safety of stem cell treatment for common forms of retinal degeneration has been successful.
  • mom with baby
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    11 votes

    Research Study for Mothers of Blind Children

    A graduate student in the Genetic Counseling Program at Brandeis University is looking for mothers to participate in a research study designed to explore how a mother feels while bonding with her child with a visual impairment.
  • Mrs America
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    14 votes

    Mrs. America Raises Awareness About RP

    Watch this video with Mrs America on Fox News. She talks about RP and LCA and explains how we can help support exciting new research that may cure these diseases.
  • reading braille
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    15 votes

    Braille Requirements in the Law

    NOPBC has created a much-needed resources that explains exactly how IDEA addresses braille needs in the classroom. Use this to help you develop your child's IEP.
  • Elizabeth heading out the window
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    8 votes

    Jumping Out a Window & Repelling Down the Wall

    Watch two videos of brave Elizabeth repelling down the side of a church steeple. She's got a lot of us adults beat in the daring department!
  • NFB logo
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    8 votes

    Are You Going to the NFB Conference in 2012?

    Kris is a mom who attends the NFB conference every year with her family. She explains why it's a must go and gives details about the 2012 location and hotel rates.
  • Walking with cane
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    9 votes

    Watch a Baby Walking with His Cane!

    Watch ten month old Alan walk around his living room with his new cane. He's totally blind, but does a wonderful job getting around obstacles!
  • True Life Logo
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    8 votes

    True Life Episode: I'm Losing My Sight

    MTVs documentary True Life follows three young people as they discuss how they feel about losing their vision.
  • Tom Miller
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    10 votes

    Webcast on Sexuality

    Tom Miller, from the Perkins School for the Blind, talks about social interaction and sex education in a new webcast. He discusses how to model proper behavior and how to teach self protection.
  • Sami Stoner running with her dog, Chloe
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    9 votes

    Blind Teen Runs with Her Guide Dog

    Sami Stoner, a teenager in Ohio, has always been a runner, but when she began to lose her sight due to Stargardt's disease, she thought she would have to stop running. Sami's guide dog, Chloe, has helped her so she can continue running.
  • Apps for Autism
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    9 votes

    Communication Apps on 60 Minutes

    Read about iPad apps used to help disabled children communicate. Watch a video from 60 Minutes discussing iPad apps for children with autism.
  • Mom and Ivan at the park
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    8 votes

    ADA Regulates Accessible Playgrounds

    The revised 2010 ADA sets guidelines for accessible playgrounds, parks and play spaces. Find out what these new requirements are and when they go into effect.
  • Hairy Tangle Junior
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    9 votes

    Special Needs Toys Holiday Sale

    TFH (specialneedstoys.com) is having a big holiday sale. Everything is 10% off and if you order $50 or more you get a free toy!
  • Family icon
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    9 votes

    Calling all LCA Families!

    Are the parent of a child with LCA? Help raise awareness and advocacy be taking this survey!
  • Salad on a Stick
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    9 votes

    Cindy's Corner: A New Resource

    Cindy O’Connell is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. She will show you how to create simple activities that are easy to adapt for any skill level and teach multiple lessons - all while being fun!
  • Facebook Questions logo
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    9 votes

    Tell Us What You Think!

    WonderBaby has posted a poll question on Facebook trying to find out more about what you are looking for. Help us out by answering our poll! We want to make sure that we continue to bring you the information you need! Answer our poll.
  • Teaching Braille Reading and Writing Webcast
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    10 votes

    Teaching Braille Reading and Writing Webcast

    Lucia Hasty and Perkins School for the Blind have developed this webcast that discusses how to teach braille reading and writing to blind children. The video is in seven parts and available for free.
  • blindhow
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    12 votes

    Learn Compensatory Skills at BlindHow.com

    Find out about a new website from NFB of Utah called BlindHow.com. The site allows you to ask questions or share information about being blind.
  • ponchos
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    9 votes

    Poncho Giveaway!

    Enter to win a children's fleece poncho! These are great for keeping kids warm during the fall and winter when they are out in their wheelchairs. The poncho will stay on and not fall in the mud or slip under the wheels.
  • Elijah
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    7 votes

    Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

    The Georges family is trying to raise money so they can attend a conference for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome where they can meet other families affected by this disorder. Their story is so moving because it is so much like others who have been touched by rare diseases.
  • Vision Sim
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    7 votes

    Vision Sim

    Find out about the Vision Sim app from the Braille Institute that allows users to see the world through the eyes of people who are visually impaired.
  • James Scott Crawford
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    8 votes

    Wheelchair Orientation & Mobility

    Perkins just uploaded a very informative video series to their YouTube channel titled Wheelchair Orientation & Mobility. James Scott Crawford explains the basics behind getting around in a wheelchair with limited or no vision and how to teach these skills to a student. The video series is intended for teachers and orientation & mobility specialists, but it's a great lesson for parents of kids in wheelchairs, too. You may also get some ideas to share with your child's school. Here's the first video:
  • Dr. Timothy Hartshorne
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    7 votes

    Webcast on Behavior Issues

    Watch a video interview with Dr. Hartshorne where he discusses common behavior issues with children who are deaf-blind and how to deal with them.
  • Sarah talks about tennis in a video screen shot
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    7 votes

    Tennis for Kids with Vision Impairments

    Watch this news video about a summer camp in Florida that is teaching kids who are blind how to play tennis. Little Sarah explains why she has so much fun playing tennis and the reporter shows you how they've created tennis balls that make sounds: Click here to watch the video.
  • Reach Out & Teach
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    9 votes

    Ask Dr. Ferrell a Question

    FamilyConnect and AFB Press are excited to announce a special opportunity for families to interact directly with one of the foremost experts on blindness and visual impairment in early childhood, Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell. Dr. Ferrell will personally respond to questions posted on the FamilyConnect Ask the Experts blog between July 18th and 29th.
  • Boy reading braille in a library
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    9 votes

    Seedlings Rose Project

    Seedlings Braille Books has received a grant allowing them to continue with their Rose Project, a program that sends free encyclopedia articles to students in braille.
  • Mouse
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    8 votes

    Gene Therapy Works for Mice with GUCY2D

    Researchers at the London's UCL Institute of Ophthalmology have had success with gene therapy in a mouse model of LCA which is caused by mutations in the GUCY2D gene.
  • An eye
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    6 votes

    New Treatment for LCA in Early Development

    Learn about ongoing research and studies into an oral medication, QLT091001, designed to restore vision in patients with certain types of LCA and RP genetic mutations.
  • HumanWare Logo
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    7 votes

    HumanWare Braille Literacy Scholarship Program

    HumanWare is sponsoring a braille and literacy scholarship for children ages 3 to 8. The winner will receive a Mountbatten Learning System Educational pack containing: MB Learning System, Mimic Display, keyboard and MB comm PC to MB communication software.
  • T&T logo
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    8 votes

    Tactile Book Contest

    APH is teaming up with Typhlo & Tactus to host an international tactile book contest. Find out how to enter!
  • Lucia Hasty
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    7 votes

    Spatial Awareness Video

    Perkins just uploaded a video to their YouTube channel where Lucia Hasty discusses how important it is to teach young children about where they are within their environment. This concept is often referred to as spatial awareness and even though it sounds simple enough, it can be a really hard idea for kids with vision impairments to understand. What does it mean to be "in front of" something? How do I know which is the desk "to my left?"
  • JVIB Logo
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    7 votes

    Special Articles on Autism & Vision Impairment

    Find out about the relationship between autism and vision impairments in the latest issue of JVIB (Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness) from AFB (American Foundation for the Blind).
  • APH Star logo
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    7 votes

    APH Video Contest

    The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) invites customers to submit videos of blind or visually impaired persons demonstrating uses of their favorite APH products. The inaugural Products Video Contest is open to teachers, administrators, rehab instructors, parents, students and other APH customers.
  • Retina in a test tube
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    5 votes

    Japanese Researchers Grow a Retina in a Test Tube

    Japanese researchers have used embryonic stem cells to grow retinas in a test tube.
  • Raul
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    5 votes

    Next Generation Song

    Have you heard the cool song about the Perkins Brailler? Wait a second... a song about a brailler? Yep, you heard right, Raul Midon has written and recorded a song about the Perkins Next Generation Brailler. There are stranger things to sing an ode to!
  • Bones
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    5 votes

    Bones Develops an LCA Storyline

    The popular FOX TV show Bones recently aired an episode featuring a storyline involving LCA. Without giving too much away, I can tell you that two main characters in the show have discovered that they are both carriers for the disorder that causes severe visual impairment from birth. Since they are expecting a baby, this is of course a major concern for them.
  • Artificial retina
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    5 votes

    More Artificial Retina News

    News about artificial retinas, sometimes called retinal microchips, seems to be coming fast these days. Europe has just approved a device developed by Second Sight Medical and they are working on getting FDA approval in the US. Check out this video from the Early Show on CBS:
  • Veronika Bernstein
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    5 votes

    Need Some Sleep?

    Maybe Veronika Bernstein can help! The new webcast from the Perkins School for the Blind is all about creating effective sleep strategies to help young children with vision impairments learn to sleep on a proper schedule. Veronika Bernstein will explain to you how sleep works, why we need sleep, and give you tips to get your child to sleep at the right time of day and for the right amount of time.
  • Drawing with Your Brailler
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    5 votes

    Drawing with Your Brailler Giveaway

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Debra and thank you to everyone who entered!   Kids want to be kids, no matter what their abilities or disabilities. And even though learning braille is all about literacy and reading, those bumpy dots can also be fun and creative too! Why wouldn't you want to learn how to make images with your brailler, from the simple to the intricate, that you can play with for fun or give out as birthday and holiday cards? Doesn't that sound neat? The book Drawing with Your Perkins Brailler teaches you to do just that. And we're giving away a free copy to one lucky reader (in either print or braille). Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until April 14th at midnight.
  • Elizabeth Torrey talking about tangible symbols
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    6 votes

    Tangible Symbols Webcast

    Did you know that Perkins produces amazing webcasts on all sorts of interesting topics? Their newest one is on how to use tangible symbols to aid in communication. And if you look closely (and know what you're looking for) you just may see my little Ivan's foot in the background of one of the shots.
  • Perkins logo
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    6 votes

    Perkins Family Conference 2011

    The Early Connections: Taking Care of Our Children... Taking Care of Ourselves conference is coming up! Please join us for the 28th regional conference for families of children with visual impairments including those with additional disabilities or deafblindness ages birth-seven years. Date: April 30th, 2011 Time: 8:15am to 3:00pm Location: Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown MA This year's sessions will include:
  • Dooby Dooby Moo
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    6 votes

    Dooby Dooby Moo

    The new print/braille book club selection from NBP this month is Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin. Ivan just loves Duck for President, so we're pretty excited about checking this one out.
  • videos image
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    5 votes

    Disable Bullying

    It's no secret that bullying is a problem amongst today's youth, but there has been little discussion about the problem of bullying children with special needs, even though they are often the most affected. This will change on Tuesday, February 15 when AbilityPath, in coalition with Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and Glee's Lauren Potter launches the nationwide "Disable Bullying" campaign that engages parents, educators, activists, and policymakers in educating the public on this widespread problem.
  • Taglit-Birthright Israel logo
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    4 votes

    Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip

    Amazing Israel, Canada Israel Experience, and the Perkins School for the Blind are excited to announce a unique Taglit-Birthright Israel trip for June 2011.
  • conferences image
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    6 votes

    Info on Retinoblastoma

    The Perkins School for the Blind is conducting a series of lectures on genetics and visual disorders. Each lecture will take place in the evening at the Perkins Watertown campus in Massachusetts and you must register ahead of time if you'd like to attend.
  • plastic guiro
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    6 votes

    Musical Grab Bag Giveaway!

    Enter to win a package of fun musical toys for your visually impaired child from Mud Pie Productions.
  • more story songs and sing alongs
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    10 votes

    Win a Copy of More Story Songs & Sing Alongs!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Jennifer, Linnea, and Debbie and thank you to everyone who entered!   One of our all-time favorite kids' bands is Debbie & Friends. Their songs are happy, upbeat, and so easy to sing along to. Debbie's songs make Ivan laugh, clap, stomp, and squeal! I love how Debbie takes simple concepts or familiar stories and turns them into timeless tunes. Ivan's favorite song is Simon Says, where Debbie starts with the familiar follow-the-leader game, but turns it into dancing, rhyming fun. He also loves So, So Happy because, well, it's fun to be happy! (You can download a free copy of So, So Happy on Debbie's website.) Debbie & Friends just seem to have this sweet honesty about them—they really love what they're doing and kids respond so well to that. Debbie also has a bunch of really talented kids singing on her CDs and I've noticed that Ivan really enjoys hearing other children sing. Their newest CD, More Story Songs & Sing Alongs, is a big hit in our house! Do you want to win a free copy of More Story Songs & Sing Alongs? Of course you do! Debbie is giving away three copies of her CD for three lucky winners. Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until March 9th at midnight.
  • Vote up!
    7 votes

    Telephone Support Group for Parents of Visually Impaired Children

    If you're the parent of a child with LCA you probably have lots of questions or maybe just need to talk to someone who understands. Learn about a new telephone support group organized by The Jewish Guild for the Blind.
  • parenting image
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    6 votes

    Infant Massage for Visually Impaired Babies

    This is a post from Sonja Biggs, MA, TVI, COMS, Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired: I know that many of you are looking for ideas about how to work with your infant or toddler who is blind or visually impaired. One of the areas that is different between a blind and sighted baby is the way they initially communicate with mom, dad, and siblings. For example, a sighted baby will turn his head, look at you, smile, and make eye contact when you come into the room. He might even start making noises or reach for you.
  • technology image
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    6 votes

    Andrew & His iPad

    Andrew's mom, Jackie, created this video of her son using the features on his new iPad for her school district administration. Check out all the ways Andrew can use his iPad to help him with school work and organizing his day!
  • amazon kindle
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    6 votes

    An Accessible Kindle?

    There's been a lot of debate over the accessibility options on the Amazon Kindle, or lack there of, but it looks like Amazon may be finally creating a reliable text-to-speech feature for their ebook reader.
  • Vote up!
    6 votes

    Braille Valentine Cards

    National Braille Press is up to their cupid tricks again creating another silly Valentine card! As with past cards, this year's Valentine presents a secret message for the receiver to unravel. These cards would be great for visually impaired students to hand out to sighted friends and classmates. It's a wonderful way to share braille and reading!
  • Leeny & Tamara: Sharing the Same Stars
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    4 votes

    The Story Behind the Song

    Last month I ran a contest to win a very cool CD by Leeny & Tamara.
  • Perkins Activity & Resource Guide
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    5 votes

    Activity and Resource Guide Giveaway

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Lois and thank you to everyone who entered!   The Perkins Activity & Resource Guide is an amazing publication. This book lists hundreds of ideas for activities that teachers at the Perkins School for the Blind have found to be effective for teaching key skills. The activities are fun, adaptable, and focus on the needs of blind and multiply disabled kids. The guide is a wonderful resource for any special education teacher or teacher of the visually impaired. It's also a valuable resource for parents who are looking for fun ways to encourage learning at home or are looking for ideas to bring to their child's teachers or include in their child's IEP. Do you want to win a free copy of the Perkins Activity & Resource Guide? Of course you do! Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until January 25th at midnight.
  • Welcoming Students with Visual Impairment to Your School
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    5 votes

    Welcoming Students Guide Giveaway

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Shannan and thank you to everyone who entered!   Welcoming Students with Visual Impairment to Your School is a guide published by the Perkins School for the Blind intended specifically to help teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs) train public school teachers on how to teach and adapt the classroom for visually impaired students. In many cases, TVIs may only see a blind student once or twice a week, sometimes even less often. The rest of the time the student is dependent on their regular classroom teacher to provide them with an adequate education. But if this teacher has no experience with visual impairment, will they know what to do? Will they follow through on the TVIs recommendations? As a parent, you know that you have to be aware of what's going on in your child's classroom and what is agreed to in their IEP. This guide, though designed originally for TVIs, would be a huge asset for parents as well. This guide could help you communicate with your child's teachers and assist you and your child's school in creating the perfect IEP. Do you want to win a free copy of Welcoming Students with Visual Impairment to Your School? Of course you do! Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until January 25th at midnight.
  • Big tangiball
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    5 votes

    Tangiball Giveaway

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Tara and thank you to everyone who entered!   We just got a really cool new toy: A big tangiball! Discovery Toys has been making small tangiballs for a while now, but they just came out with these new ones that are bigger and... here's the best part... they smell like strawberries! Ivan absolutely loves this toy. It's big enough to roll back and forth on the floor or to even try to sit on, it's bumpy and wonderful for desensitizing little fingers that may not like to touch things (did you that this can actually help kids as they learn braille?), it squeaks when you squeeze it, and it smells great! What a neat multi-sensory toy! Do you want to win a free tangiball from Discovery Toys? Of course you do! Billie Elias from Toys of Discovery is donating one big tangiball for one lucky winner! Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until January 25th at midnight.
  • Jay Mankita: Eat Like a Rainbow
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    6 votes

    Music Giveaway

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Chelsea and thank you to everyone who entered!   Getting kids to eat healthy can be a challenge. Getting kids to eat period can be a challenge, too. Trust me, I've been there. Anything that makes meal time fun is a plus! Jay Mankita's album, Eat Like a Rainbow, is full of fun songs about food. He sings about eating healthy, about how food grows, and how food makes you grow big and strong. If you like to play music during meal times like we do, this is the perfect CD. Singing about food while you're eating is a great way to signal to your child that it's time to eat, especially if your child has communication difficulties. I'm giving away a free copy of Jay's Eat Like a Rainbow and I'm also going to throw in a copy of Jeff Jam's new CD, Elephant Shoes. Jeff is one of our favorite local performers who plays sing alongs at a nearby toy store. He is so much fun and full of energy and that really comes through in his CD, too. Elephant Shoes is a great album for families looking for classic kids' music, from Oh! Susanna to Miss Lucy & The Lady with the Alligator Purse and everything in between. Of course, my favorite song is his original Crazy Monkey Day. How could you not love a song called Crazy Monkey Day? Do you want to win a free copy of both Eat Like a Rainbow and Elephant Shoes? Of course you do! Entering the giveaway is easy! Simply leave a comment below or send me an email letting me know that you want to enter this contest. Please be sure to include your full name. I’ll be accepting entries until January 25th at midnight.
  • Advanced Cell Technologies
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    4 votes

    Advanced Cell Technologies Pushing Forward with Stem Cell Research

    Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) is again at the forefront of stem cell research and treating retinal disorders. In November, ACT announced that the FDA had approved their use of stem cells to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy.
  • doctor looking through microscope
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    4 votes

    Bionic Eye in the News

    The bionic eye, or retinal microchip as it's also known, has been making great strides in Europe. Doctors reported in November that they were having great success with a temporary chip in Germany and in December British doctors announced that they would begin trials with permanent chips.
  • C'mon Papa: Dispatches from a Dad in the Dark by Ryan Knighton
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    6 votes

    Blind Dad on This American Life

    This week's episode of This American Life featured two very different stories about disability. The first was a sweet tale told by a blind father taking his newborn baby out for a walk. Navigating through his familiar neighborhood becomes a daunting task as he imagines all the little stumbles that could hurt his daughter... but of course they make it through OK.
  • NBP: National Braille Press logo
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    5 votes

    NBP Giftcard Holiday Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Holly and thank you to everyone who entered!   National Braille Press has generously donated a $40 Gift Card to our holiday giveaway series! Enter this contest to win $40 to spend on all sorts of great gifts for your blind child! What could you get at NBP? Well, let's see... NBP has lots of baby board books with pictures and braille. Our favorites have to be the Sandra Boynton books because they're silly and have great rhyme and rhythm. We're also big fans of Ten Chirpy Chicks. Ivan loves touching the chicks on the page!     NBP also offers neat tactile cards. My favorite kit is their Noah's Ark Set that comes with a print/braille picture book, a print/braille Fun Facts About Noah's Ark book, and a set of tactile pictures. What fun! You could also check out their Tactile Alphabet Letters and their Illustrated Alphabet Flashcards. For older kids you might want to look into their very cool Pathfinder Mazes.     Puzzles are always great gifts, and NBP has taken the classic shape puzzle and added braille! Check out their Chunky Puzzle. It's big and colorful, the puzzle pieces are easy to grab, and each shape is labeled in both print and braille!     Another toy from NBP that is kind of like a puzzle is the Braille Caravan. This toy is both fun and educational. Each piece has six dots that can be pushed up or in, so you can create any braille letter, then stick them together to make words! The Braille Caravan is great for little kids who are just learning about the braille cell and for older kids who are beginning to put letters together.   And while you're checking out all NBP has to offer, sign up for their Free Braille Book Club. You'll receive a flyer in the mail every month letting you know about their new braille children's books and calendars. It's a great way to keep up with what's going on at NBP.
  • Perkins Panda Kit
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    9 votes

    Perkins Panda Holiday 2010 Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Roxann and thank you to everyone who entered!   Who's big, soft, has tactile ears and paws, and is eager to introduce your child to braille? It's Perkins Panda, of course! The Perkins Panda Early Literacy Program is a wonderful compilation of materials designed to help you teach your child braille through a set of fun toys and stories. Each book, written by famous storyteller and songwriter Odds Bodkin, is illustrated with high-contrast pictures and includes both large print and uncontracted braille so the entire family can enjoy story time together. The full kit also includes audio cassettes that feature stories and songs written and performed by Odds Bodkin himself. These cassettes are based on the books, but are not direct readings of the books. These tapes are also Ivan's favorite part of the kit! Ivan also loves to play with the story box that contains items mentioned in the second book, but my favorite part of the kit are definitely the three activity guides, which give you tips on how to introduce the books to your child and how to take learning one step further into every day life. I love practical advice that makes learning fun!
  • APH book, That's Not My Bear
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    6 votes

    Tactile Book Holiday Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Lorraine and thank you to everyone who entered!   The American Printing House for the Blind creates some really interesting and unique tactile books for young children with vision impairments. The tactile illustrations in APH books are more than just raised drawings — they create molded images, items that can be removed and touched, and other objects that are a part of the story and bring meaning to the book. Creating interest in reading is the first step to literacy! (You can learn more about teaching your child to enjoy reading in the APH book, On the Way to Literacy.) A favorite APH children's book at the Perkins Early Learning Center is That's Not My Bear. In this story a little boy loses his favorite teddy bear (which appears in the book as an object your child can remove and hold). The teddy is soft, but has some worn spots because he's been loved so much. It's fun to help your child find the bald patches! As the little boy searches for his bear, he comes across other teddy bears that are like his, but not quite. Each bear appears on the page as a three-dimensional object your child can touch and feel. It's a wonderful opportunity to talk about same and different. I probably shouldn't ruin the ending for you, but, yes, he does find his bear (in the closet, of course), and you and your child can help by tucking the bear into bed under the covers! The story is adorable and meaningful and the tactile illustrations really bring the concepts to life for kids with vision impairments.
  • Uncle Goose Braille ABC Blocks with American Sign Language
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    Braille Blocks Holiday Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Melissa and thank you to everyone who entered!   We first learned about the Braille Blocks by Uncle Goose through Ivan's Early Intervention Teacher of the Visually Impaired. She brought them over to play with and Ivan just loved them! They were an instant hit with me, as well. I was very impressed with the quality of the workmanship and the fact that the braille on the blocks is standard size. As I was also teaching myself braille, it was fun to play with the blocks along with my son as we both learned the braille alphabet. Recently I discovered that Uncle Goose also makes a set of braille blocks with American Sign Language! Wow! Now you can learn the sign for a letter as well as the braille. And the print letter is cut out of the block so you can easily trace your fingers along the letter and feel the print!
  • Hooray for Braille tote bag from Seedlings
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    Braille Board Book Holiday Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted. Congratulations to Miranda and thank you to everyone who entered!   Finding braille books for kids can be a challenge, especially print-braille books that are baby-friendly! One of our favorite places to find baby board books with braille alongside the printed text is Seedlings, an online braille book store that provides braille, print-braille, and braille picture books for kids.
  • Sharing the Same Stars by Leeny & Tamara
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    Leeny & Tamara CD Holiday Giveaway!

    This giveaway is now closed and the winners have been contacted. Congratulations to Salem, Becky, and Katie and thank you to everyone who entered!   We're big lovers of music in this family, and I'm always happy to find a children's artist who writes songs about difference and acceptance. And who rocks at the same time, too! Leeny & Tamara are a wonderful duo, singing beautifully about important topics, like taking turns, being good to your family, and accepting others even if they're different than you. The best part about this band is that they deliver these important messages wrapped in songs that you actually want to listen to!
  • The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks
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    The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks

    Oliver Sacks, best-selling author of Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
  • Image of an eye
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    Can I get an eye transplant for my blind child?

    Contributed by Sarah Blake, www.growingstrong.org. There is no such thing as a whole-eye transplant. The optic nerve, which goes directly to the brain, cannot be transplanted; and this nerve is damaged for many people who are blind. The eye transplant would not work without also transplanting the optic nerve.
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    Just in Time for Christmas...

    A father of an eight-year-old visually impaired boy created PlushTalk Ornaments, a set of fun, talking Christmas toys. PlushTalk Ornaments are plush stuffed talking ornament toys that attach to a 24" tall soft plush stuffed Christmas trimming tree. Each themed PlushTalk Ornament has a name and states a different phrase in a unique and interesting voice when squeezed.
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    Football Anyone?

    Check out this video of a blind ten-year-old boy playing on his school football team:
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    Another Free Screen Reader

    Two blind computer programmers have developed a new screen reader program, called NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), that they are offering free of charge. They said that "We really are in the information age - everything is online these days. So access to computers for the blind and vision impaired is incredibly important, which is why we wanted our software to be free." Read more about the program and download it for free.
  • rods and cones in the human eye
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    Rods & Cones Transplanted through Stem Cells

    Researchers have successfully transplanted stem cells from fetal or newborn mice into the eyes of adult mice with LCA. The stem cells in the adult mice grew into cone cells. Four years ago the same technique was successful for rod cells. In other words, these researchers have found a way to transplant rods and cones in mice. This may eventually become a break though technique in humans allowing doctors to restore lost photo receptors in patients who are blind.
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    Help Perkins Products!

    Perkins Products is beginning some user research on a new product they are developing. They are looking for children and their parents who are either early in the process of learning braille, or at the intermediate level and are willing to participate in some user research on a new product. They would like to meet with people for about an hour on October 12th and 13th to ask questions, understand what technology they use, show them some ideas, etc. This could be done during the school day or after school, or even in the evening at their homes if necessary.
  • Stevie Wonder
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    UN Considers Easing Copyright Restrictions

    Stevie Wonder asked the UN's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to consider people with disabilities as they create new international laws governing copyright. As the internet, audio books, and ereaders complicate copyright law, Stevie Wonder and others want to make sure that disabled readers still have affordable access to texts world wide, especially in poor countries where the governments just can't keep up with current costs and restrictions.
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    Perkins Discover Conference 2010

    The Discover Conference is for families of school age children who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind, including those with additional disabilities. It will be held on Saturday, October 23rd at the Perkins campus in Watertown, Massachusetts. The key note speaker, Marlyn Minkin, is a licensed family therapist and Mental Health Counselor. She will address the main theme of the conference this year: how to help families build networks and find support from each other.
  • Cilia
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    CEP290 and Cilia

    Researchers are still figuring out exactly what cilia are, how they function in the body, and what happens when they don't work. They're also learning which genes are responsible for cilia function and which genetic mutations can result in a ciliopathy. A new article published in the Journal of Cell Biology links mutations in the CEP290 gene with ciliary function. CEP290 mutations can cause Meckel syndrome, Joubert syndrome, LCA, and NPHP.
  • In the tall tall grass
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    In the Tall, Tall Grass in Print/Braille

    National Braille Press recently released In the Tall, Tall Grass in print/braille format. This adorable book is perfect for kids who prefer rhymes (like my son) and also has beautiful illustrations for kids with vision. Print/braille books like this one are so nice to read to your blind or visually impaired child along with their sighted friends or siblings. Everyone finds something to enjoy!
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    Sleep Study

    The Sleep and Mood Disorders Laboratory at the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) is conducting research to study sleep patterns in children and young adults with no light perception. If you're interested in participating, please read this letter from the director of the program, Dr. Al Lewy:
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    4 votes

    Friends in the News

    Here are a couple of videos about visually impaired kids that recently appeared in local newscasts. Though at 18, maybe I should stop referring to Brandon as a kid? Click here to watch Brandon's video.
  • Goodnight moon
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    Classic Stories with Sign Language

    This summer, the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD series, which has won more awards than any other contemporary children’s video brand, will launch a new line of DVDs designed to teach early sign language skills to preschool children. Featuring beautiful productions of some of the most recognizable children’s books of all time, this new series offers a groundbreaking approach to learning sign language and helping kids of all hearing abilities to gain literacy and pre-reading skills.
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    Stem Cells Cure Blindness Caused by Burns

    Researchers have been working with stem cells to replace damaged cornea tissue in patients. The stem cells come from their own eyes, so the patient must have at least some healthy tissue in one eye. Of course this technique wouldn't work for patients with damaged retinas or optic nerves, but it is still very promising.
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    Perkins Discover Conference

    Save the Date: Saturday, October 23, 2010 The Discover Conference is for families of school age children who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind, including those with additional disabilities. It will be held at Perkins' Watertown, MA campus.
  • National Trust Album
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    Free National Trust Album

    The National Trust in Britain has teamed up with Jarvis Cocker, best known as the former front man for the band Pulp, to create an album comprised solely of natural sounds taking the listener on an audio journey around Britain.
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    Retina International Conference

    Our friend Fran attended the 16th conference organized by Retina International, which was held in Italy last weekend. It wasn't specifically on LCA but most LCA experts were there! It was very interesting. Here are her highlights: Dr. Jean Bennett presented the astounding results of the RPE65 trials. Children who were nearly blind can now play baseball and walk without a cane! We all had read that, but to hear it from her was exciting.
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    Computer Gadgets for Disabled Users

    I'm always on the lookout for cool technology that makes life easier for people with physical and sensory disabilities. This article lists some neat gadgets that can help people access their computer. Click here to read the article.
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    Free Access to National Parks

    Just in time for summer travel, here's some info on how to attain a free pass to all the National Parks in the U.S.!
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    Babies & Sign Language Webinar

    Join Marsha Peterson of Talking with Baby for a free webinar on teaching babies sign language on July 14th. Marsha's technique for teaching babies sign language works really well with special needs kids, too. You can learn more about Marsha and her son, Chad, here. This webinar will share the many benefits of signing, why it works, and the importance of giving babies a language. Learn how reading while teaching can be easy and fun.
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    LCA & Musicality

    The following is an open letter from Dr. Ockelford to parents of children with LCA:
  • On the Media
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    On the Media Covers Accessibility Issues

    WNYC's radio program On the Media recently covered a few interesting issues related to accessibility and disability. In their May 21st episode they discussed the decline in braille literacy and how this might effect the blind population in the US, accessibility issues on the internet and what it would take for all websites to become handicapped accessible, and accessible video games (including which mainstream games are the most popular with disabled players).
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    Special Needs Social Networking

    I just learned about SupportForSpecialNeeds.com, a social networking site designed entirely for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. They provide all sorts of resources: you can read articles on relevant topics, enter giveaways for therapeutic toys, chat with other parents, join support groups, and meet interesting people who you can really relate to.