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, Special Needs
Dollars & Sense: Navigating the AT funding stream
This search engine helps identify funding sources for a range of assistive technology. Although geared toward residents of Georgia, much of the information is applicable everywhere.
Assistive Technology
ModularHose allows you to turn almost anything into a handsfree device
This cool system uses flexible hose and a multitude of components to customize a way to attach items hands-free to your wheelchair or other place you might need it.
Health & Nutrition, Visual Impairment
Top Medical Breakthroughs in Vision in 2014
There have been a lot of medical advances in curing blindness in the past 12 months. Read about the most exciting breakthroughs in gene therapy, stem cells, artificial retinas and...
Toys, Visual Impairment
Top 10 Accessible Toys for Blind Kids
We recently ran a contest asking families to share their favorite toys for their kids who are blind or have other special needs. Here are the top 10 as voted...
Assistive Technology, Eye Conditions and Syndromes
New Gadget Addresses Tunnel Vision
There's a company that's working on a visor to help those with tunnel vision to see the full picture of what they could see without tunnel vision. It's still in...
iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment
Breakthrough App Reads Print for the Blind
This cool new app lets you use your smartphone to translate printed material into spoken words, letting the user "read" virtually anything. The app is available on iTunes and was...
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Seeing Through Sound
This technology takes sound to create "images" in the brain, by using a camera, special software, and headphones.
Visual Impairment
Lenz Frenz
These very cute stuffed animals have a hiding spot in their backs where children can safely store their glasses.
Health & Nutrition, Visual Impairment
3D Printing Cells is a New Step in Finding a Cure for Blindness
Researchers are using 3D printers to create artificial retinal nerve cells. They hope this will lead to using this to replace damaged retinal cells and ultimately cure retinal blindness.
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Cool New Glasses to Help The Blind See
University of Oxford and RNIB have teamed up to create glasses that can help those with even a small amount of vision to identify objects and images. They're planning a...
Parenting, Special Needs
I may not sit, roll, walk or speak but I AM SO LOVED
Janyia is a little girl with several medical conditions: Arthrogryposis, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic lung disease and Hydrocephalus. This is her story.
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
7 Science & Nature Activities for Young Children who are Blind
Touching leaves, twigs, rocks and trees is a great way to introduce the world to your blind child. Here are 7 simple ideas to get you thinking about science and...
Math and Science, Visual Impairment
Reach for the Stars: Free iBook for Visually Impaired Students
This free iBook, available on iTunes, is compatible with braille refreshable displays and VoiceOver on iPads, and is accessible to anyone with a visual or print impairment.
Play, Visual Impairment
Make Your Own Play Space for Your Blind Baby!
Blind babies may need help learning how to interact with and be actively involved in their environment. You can build your own active learning play space so your baby can...
Education, Special Needs
My Special Journal: Home to School Communication Notebook
My Special Journal is a pre-printed communication notebook that lets teachers quickly summarize a special needs child's day at school.
Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment
Community Trips for Little Explorers: Teaching your child who is blind about the community
Children with visual impairment learn by having direct, hands-on experiences with objects and events, including those in their community. These experiences can build important concepts that will prepare your child...
Assistive Technology
EasySwitch Helps Kids Access Computer Games
EasySwitch gives young children and those with learning disabilities easier ability to play computer games with switch access. You can even get these switches in a wireless version!
Schools for the Blind
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has a campus for ages 6 through 21 and support services for birth through transition from high school.
Autism, Behavior, Sleep
SafeSpaces: Safe Rooms and Safe Beds for Kids with Special Needs
SafeSpaces custom makes living and sleeping spaces for children with special needs, such as autism or other issues. These spaces can be beds or entire rooms that are safe and...
Advocacy, Visual Impairment
Learning to Overcome Fear and Not Give Up When Growing Up Blind
Nancy Shugart talks about growing up with vision issues and how that affected the choices she made going into adulthood. This TED talk is about learning to live without fear.
Assistive Technology
Pentagon Program Offers Assistive Technologies to People with Disabilities in the Workplace
The Pentagon contracts with CAP to offer assistive technology that makes the workplace more accessible to federal employees with disabilities.
Health & Nutrition, Visual Impairment
New Developments in Treatments for Blindness
There are several exciting new technologies designed to improve vision. Retinitas pigmentosa, macular degeneration and other eye issues have new treatments.
Visual Impairment
21 Pinterest Boards All Parents of Blind Kids MUST Follow!
Pinterest is one of the best ways for a parent of a child with special needs to find what they need on the internet. Here are my favorite Pinterest boards...
Special Needs
Future Planning for your Child with Disabilities
A recent editorial in the New York Times discusses the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and how important it is for parents and children with disabilities so they...