Visual Impairment

Information, support, and resources for families raising children who are blind or visually impaired, with or without additional disabilities.

Whimsical illustration of a gentle bridge made of flowing lines, musical notes, and Braille dots, connecting two sides. The image suggests music and Braille coming together as a pathway for learning and inclusion.

Braille and Literacy, Music Play, Special Needs, Visual Impairment

Braille needs allies. Music can be one of them.

An inspiring look at how music can support Braille literacy, creativity, and inclusion for blind children.

A softly textured illustration of a child with closed eyes and a peaceful smile, as colorful swirling shapes represent imagination flowing around them. Floating in the swirls are simple images—a butterfly, star, tree, heart, music note, seashell, and flower—symbolizing creativity, emotion, and sensory experiences. The overall palette is warm and gentle, with pastels and soft gradients creating a dreamy, uplifting mood.

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

What Does Art Feel Like? A Guide to Tactile Creativity for Blind Children

Discover how blind children explore art through touch. Learn practical ways to support tactile creativity, build early Braille literacy, and nurture imagination with hands-on projects, textures, and accessible art experiences.

Golden print letters and Braille dots flow together in a wave pattern across a green background, with musical notes accenting the design to represent the harmony between Braille and print literacy.

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

Should Blind Children Learn Print Letters?

Discover why teaching both print and braille can enrich literacy for children who are blind, helping them connect with the wider world.

Whimsical digital illustration of three colorful birds flying among floating music notes and Braille dots on a blue-and-yellow sky background. Curved musical staff lines weave across the scene, blending sound and touch in a dreamlike way.

Braille and Literacy, Visual Impairment

When Music Becomes Braille: Creative Paths in Education for Blind Kids

Discover how Prof. M.A. Christi is reimagining music education for blind children with Braille, stories, and tactile art in this inspiring interview.

Illustration of a mother and baby practicing tactile sign language outdoors.

Communication, Visual Impairment

Understanding Tactile Sign Language for Deaf-Blind Children

Tactile sign language allows deaf-blind children to communicate through touch. Multiple forms of tactile sign language can be adapted to meet individual needs.

Illustration of a blind child wearing a virtual reality headset and holding a white cane, standing in a grassy outdoor setting.

Assistive Technology, iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Apple Unveils New Accessibility Features: What It Could Mean for Blind and Disabled Children

Apple announced new accessibility features, including visual aid tools for the Vision Pro headset. Here's what these updates could mean for blind and disabled children, plus what parents and educators...

An image of a chip being implanted in a brain and the text

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Neuralink Announces Plans to Restore Sight to the Blind with Brain Chip

Elon Musk’s company Neuralink has announced plans to begin human trials of its new “Blindsight” brain chip by the end of 2025.

Skylar and Peter playing piano together.

Visual Impairment

The Gift of Understanding: How a Young Child Helps His Blind Father Navigate Life

When a parent is blind, it’s natural for people to wonder how their sighted child will adapt. Will they struggle to understand their parent’s needs? Will they feel burdened by...

braille blocks, puzzles and buttons

Braille and Literacy, Toys, Visual Impairment

24 Braille Toys for Kids Who are Blind

Everything from alphabet blocks to raised line coloring pages and activity books to puzzles to card and board games... and so much more! And it's all in braille ready for...

Colorful paper shapes on a white background.

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

Using Origami to Teach Blind and Low-Vision Students Basic Shapes

It's critical that children who are blind should be exposed to 2D as well as 3D shapes and concepts on a practical level and at a young age.

Barbie® Introduces the First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll

Toys, Visual Impairment

Barbie® Introduces the First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll

Mattel, in partnership with AFB, announced the addition of a blind Barbie doll with white cane and sunglasses.

Doctor giving the child new glasses for her vision.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Support, Visual Impairment

Coping with a Diagnosis: Emotional Support for Families with Visually Impaired Children

Families with emotional support are more resilient. Learn how to establish emotional support with peers, professionals, and the community to help your family thrive.

A toddler receiving early intervention services.

Special Needs, Visual Impairment

Why Early Intervention Is Critical for Blind Children

Children diagnosed with visual processing disorders, low vision, or blindness need specialized treatment. Early intervention programs can help.

Anophthalmia

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Anophthalmia: Navigating the Path from Diagnosis to Adaptation for Parents and Their Children

Anophthalmia is a rare disorder that results in childhood blindness. Early intervention services are important to help your baby maximize their potential.

Sensory experiences for an autistic boy.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

What is Visual Sensory Stimulation?

Age-appropriate strategies to develop a person’s visual processing abilities are an important part of meeting the body’s sensory needs.