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
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 Arts and Crafts, 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.
Visual Impairment
12 Tips for an Accessible Zoo Visit for Kids who are Visually Impaired
Can the zoo be accessible for a blind child? Of course! Find tips from moms on how to make your visit to the zoo meaningful and enjoyable.
Autism, Behavior
Raising A Sensory Smart Child
For children who struggle to process everyday sensations and exhibit unusual behaviors such as avoiding or seeking out touch, movement, sounds, and sights.
Toys, Visual Impairment
10 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Toy for a Child who is Blind
The next time you're in a toy store or department store looking for toys for your child who is blind or visually impaired, keep these 10 questions in mind!
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
Rainbow Activities for Blind Children
How do you explain a rainbow to a child that has never seen one, let alone never seen colors? It may seem complicated to talk about colors with your blind...
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
Buyer’s Guide to Beeping Easter Eggs
We've sifted through the web and browsed our local stores to bring you this list of where to find beeping and noise-maker Easter eggs for your blind child.
Advocacy, Visual Impairment
Person First Language: “Child Who is Blind” or “Blind Child”
Have you thought about how you refer to your child? Do you say, "my blind baby" or "my baby who is blind"? Does it matter?
Assistive Technology
Hueyify: Making the Internet Accessible to Everyone
The Hueyify software allows any user to customize any webpage to their personal preferences, including color, font size, layout and more. Talk about an accessible web!
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
Accessible STEM: An Introduction to Light for Blind Children
Introduce the scientific basics of light to your child through hands-on activities like exploring your home and other familiar places, along with tactile worksheets.