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

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!

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...

hand reading braille

Education, Visual Impairment

Six Reasons to Homeschool Your Blind Child

I asked a group of parents who homeschool their blind children to explain to me why they thought homeschool was the best option.

a family arguing depicted on finger art

Parenting, Support

Maintaining your relationship when you have a disabled child

Mary McDonach explores the high incidence of divorce among parents raising a disabled child. She advises devoting energy to your relationship plan in order to keep the partnership of parenting...

surfboards

Visual Impairment

“So Dad, When Can I Go Surfing?” Letting Your Blind Child Experience Adventures in the World

Eric Vasiliauskas writes about encouraging independence and exploration in your blind children.

Logo of Tennessee School for the Blind

Schools for the Blind

Tennessee School for the Blind

Tennessee School for the Blind is located in Nashville.

disability.gov

Special Needs

Disability.gov

Disability.gov is the U.S. government's portal to a library full of resources and contacts about disability.

EBU logo

Special Needs

European Blind Union

The European Blind Union is a non-governmental, non profit-making European organization founded in 1984. One of the six regional bodies of the World Blind Union, it is the only organization...

Parents and Children with Impairments

Support, Visual Impairment

FamilyConnect

FamilyConnect is an online, multimedia community created by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI).

blind user using GPS

Assistive Technology, Orientation and Mobility

GPS and mobility educational equipment

GPS and talking map software allows the blind traveler to keep the taxi driver honest, enjoy hearing about the sites and businesses being passed or know independently when to get...

kids laying in a circle

Visual Impairment

Helen Keller Services for the Blind

Helen Keller Services for the Blind helps people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to develop independence and to participate actively and fully in their communities.

busy board idea

Visual Impairment

The Independent Little Bee: A little something for children with vision impairments & their families

This blog focuses on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for visually impaired students and how to implement it into everyday life. There are posts with topics on all aspects of...

NFB Logo

Support, Visual Impairment

National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education,...

Oregon Project

Visual Impairment

Oregon Project for Visually Impaired & Blind Preschool Children

The Oregon Project is a comprehensive assessment and curriculum designed for use with children birth to six who are blind or visually impaired.

You are not alone

Support

Support for Special Needs

Here is a website especially for parents of kids with special needs. Founders Julia and Dawn create a community of families helping families.

Western Pennsylvania school front

Schools for the Blind

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children

Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind serves children who are visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.

American Foundation for the Blind

Support, Visual Impairment

American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for the more than 25 million people with vision loss in the U.S.

people walking with their guide dogs

Support, Visual Impairment

American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind is the nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people. The Council strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually...

APH Logo

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

American Printing House for the Blind is the world's largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.

AFB

Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment

AccessWorld: Technology and People Who Are Visually Impaired

AccessWorld is a monthly online publication. Hear from experts in the field as they write informative and enlightening articles on topics such as leadership, technology, education and rehabilitation.

American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults

Support, Visual Impairment

American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is a service agency which specializes in providing help to blind people which is not readily available to them from government...

7-128 Video Games logo

Visual Impairment

7-128 Video Games for Kids who are Blind

7-128 Software creates games that are accessible to gamers with special needs as well as those less challenged and this makes them easier to use for all.

tangible symbols

Communication, Visual Impairment

Using Tangible Symbols for Communication with Blind Children

In this video Elizabeth Torrey, Speech and Language Pathologist in the Early Learning Center at Perkins School for the Blind, talks about the use of tangible symbols in helping children...

students reading braille in a classroom

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Bringing Blindness Awareness to the Sighted Classroom

We'll give you some tips on how to teach sighted children about blindness so they can interact with their blind classmates.