Amber Bobnar

Originally from Hawaii, Amber and her family moved to Massachusetts to be closer to Boston Children’s Hospital where her son, Ivan, now receives medical care.

 

She has a Master’s degree in English from Tufts University and spends most of her “free time” writing about being a parent of a disabled child on WonderBaby.org. But really most of her time is spent caring for and playing with her son.

Hungry Fingers logo

Braille and Literacy, Toys

Hungry Fingers Tactile Toys & Graphics

Hungry Fingers educational tools are designed to give visually impaired children the confidence that with poor vision, or even without sight, they can be in command of the space around...

Bookshare logo

Braille and Literacy

Bookshare: An Accessible Online Library

Bookshare is an online library of digital books for people with print disabilities. Members with visual impairments can listen to books by using a text-to-speech synthesized voice, read books in...

two kids on iPad

Braille and Literacy

Paths to Literacy for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

A literacy site from Perkins and TSBVI designed to assist educators and families in their quest to provide literacy experiences for their children who are blind or visually impaired.

Prevent Blindness and Children's Vision

Visual Impairment

Prevent Blindness America

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight.

Ivan playing with his can puzzle

Fine and Gross Motor, Toys

Make Your Own Can Puzzle!

If your child has a vision impairment or struggles with fine motor skills you may want to create a sorting puzzle that is simple. Most sorting puzzles have multiple shapes,...

Logo of Blind Children's Center

Schools for the Blind

Blind Children’s Center

The Blind Childrens Center serves children from birth to school-age who are blind or severely visually impaired. The Center’s goal is to provide a comprehensive program of specialized education and...

Ivan reading with his dad

Braille and Literacy

The Best Braille Children’s Book Resources on the Internet

We'll show you the best places to find braille children's books, coloring books, and learning kits - and many of them are free!

Ivan reading his book

Braille and Literacy

Ten Tips to Help You Teach Yourself Braille

Maybe your child is just getting ready to begin learning Braille or maybe your blind infant is years away from phonics lessons but you want to get a head start....

Ivan touching his cat

Math and Science, Visual Impairment

4 Creative Ways to Teach Blind Kids about Animals

Here are some fun and creative ways to teach your blind child about the animal kingdom. Have you ever thought about touching a real shark at a science museum?

Ivan playing on his piano

Music Play

Music & Development: Musical ways to engage developmentally disabled children

Learn what Music Therapy is, why it's an important part of your special needs child's arsenal of services, and how you can enhance your child's life at home by including...

Ivan at Grocery Store

Development, Visual Impairment

Everyday Activities for Blind Children

Simple ways to introduce your blind or disabled child to everyday activities and experiences. Teach your child about how the world works and the things people do every day.

Ivan signing bib

Communication, Visual Impairment

Sign Language for Blind Babies

Can sign language work for blind babies? Signs are made to be very visual, can blind babies really pick them up? We're here to tell you first hand, YES! We'll...

Ivan scooting through a tunnel

Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment

Orientation & Mobility for Blind Babies

How to begin orientation and mobility (O&M) training for your blind infant - before they're even crawling!

Ivan with his sticky box

Behavior, Sensory Activities

Overcoming Tactile Sensitivity with a Sticky Box!

Collect sticky and gooey toys and throw them all in one box. You'll create a sensory toy that will help your child learn to love sticky things.

Social Worker helping a blind child to get services

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Fighting for Services for Your Blind Child

Why is it so hard to find good help? In many states, services for visually impaired children, though mandated through strict federal laws, are very hard to come by. Many...