Special Needs
Find support for parents of children with special needs. Learn how to advocate for your child, raise funds for needed equipment and find helpful organizations.
Filter by: Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Autism, Schools for the Blind, Support, Visual Impairment
Potty Training, Visual Impairment
7 Steps to Teach a Blind Child how to be Independent in Public Bathrooms
Rusty has put together some sound advice on how you can help your older blind children navigate bathrooms on their own independently!
Education, Visual Impairment
5 Back-to-School Resources for Kids with Visual Impairments and their Families
Want to make this school year the best year yet? Browse our collection of resources for tips and ideas on how to make the most of the "Back-to-School" season!
Support
I’m Planning for a 70-Year retirement… How About You?
When you're raising a special needs child, you need to plan for your own retirement as well as your child's financial future. How can you cover both expenses in your...
Support
Things in My House that I Wish Would Just Take Care of Themselves
This is going to sound like a lot of complaining, but really it's my response to the special needs world closing in on me. Sometimes you need to come up...
Potty Training, Visual Impairment
8 Tips for Surviving Toilet Training in Public Bathrooms with Your Blind Child
Toilet training a child with special needs is difficult enough... have you tackled public bathrooms yet?
Advocacy
Learning Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
Marianne Haas, a TVI, disability advocate and employment counselor, gives strategies and tips on how to advocate for your blind child.
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Smart Specs Help Legally Blind See
New assistive glasses adjust images in real-time for people who are visually impaired.
Assistive Technology, Braille and Literacy
Dot Braille Smart Watch
New braille smart watch features four cells of refreshable braille.
Assistive Technology, Orientation and Mobility
Smart Cane Recognizes Faces
The XploR cane uses smartphone technology to send vibrations to the user when it detects a familiar face.
Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Special Needs
Why I Loved Attending the CHARGE Conference
I was nervous about attending my first CHARGE conference, but I am so happy that I did! It was wonderful! You should attend a family conference about your child's diagnosis...
Special Needs
Why You Should Hire a Special Needs Parent
Are you good at juggling multiple projects? Do you adapt well to change? You may be a special needs parent!
Advocacy
How My Disability has Taught Me to Embrace My Own Uniqueness
Perhaps if we all made a positive difference in our own unique way we would feel more connected to each other and less afraid to be imperfect.
Support
Is this as Good as it Gets?
Maybe things are good now, but you know they will just get harder as your child grows up. Disability doesn't get easier as kids get older! Are these days your...
Visual Impairment
What Does it Mean to be Blind?
How can you explain blindness to your child when you are sighted? And how can you explain sight to a child who has never seen?
Support
What would you buy for your special needs child if money wasn’t an issue?
Sometimes it's fun to live in fantasy land and imagine what we would give our kids if money were no object. What if you had a million dollars? What would...
Play, Visual Impairment
Summer Activities for Kids who are Blind
Looking for summer tips and advice to help you keep your blind child active during the break? Join our summer blog party to get advice from parents just like you!
Advocacy
Changes Coming to Make US Currency Accessible
What's your opinion of the need for accessible currency in the US? Should we change our money so that it's accessible to the blind?
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
3D Printing for Visual Impairments
How can 3D printing enhance the life of a visually impaired child? From toys to tactile graphics to braille puzzles... the possibilities are endless!
Visual Impairment
The Day I Redefined Perfection as the Mother of a Blind Child
How can your baby be perfect if he can't see? Obviously there is something really wrong with his eyes, and isn't perfect the absence of wrong?
Support
Why a supportive community is so important for special needs kids!
Ivan wanted to join in the inflated obstacle course, but can a child with low muscle tone make it to the end of the course?
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
3D Printing Innovations in Vision and Blindness
One extremely important use for the advancing 3D printing technology is within the medical field, and more specifically in the field of vision.
Tactile Art, Visual Impairment
12 Easy Tips for Accessible Preschool Arts & Crafts for Kids who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Can a blind preschooler be included in preschool arts and crafts? Of course! With a little planning and forethought, preschool crafts can be completely accessible.
Education, Special Needs
Making Circle Time Accessible for All Students
This lesson plan from UAH Rise School incorporates the Lily LightAide in making their circle time routine accessible for students of all abilities.
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Netflix Announces Accessibility Feature for Blind Users
On April 14, 2015, Netflix officially announced the addition of audio description tracks for viewers who are visually impaired.