Visual Impairment

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

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.

Attentive girl looking at her doctor.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Stargardt’s Disease: Navigating the Challenges of Juvenile Macular Degeneration

Stargardt’s disease is the most common form of inherited retinal disease. Many accommodations are available to help with low vision and vision loss.

Frightened kid in spectacles looking from under table desk.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA): Early Diagnosis and Intervention Strategies

Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis is a genetic disease passed from parents to children that disrupts the development of the retina of the eye. This can lead to vision loss and even...

Family working on origami together.

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

10 Ways To Help Your Blind or Visually Impaired Child Get Started With Origami

Find tips for parents on introducing and getting started with origami with their children who are blind or visually impaired.

One of the sets with text instructions for blind builders.

Toys, Visual Impairment

Bricks for the Blind

Bricks for the Blind provides text, audio, and braille instructions for LEGO sets that allows blind people to build LEGO sets independently.

A macro view on the eye of a young child suffering from Aniridia.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Aniridia: A Closer Look at Congenital Absence of the Iris and Its Effects on Vision

Aniridia is a condition where part of all of the iris of the eyes is missing. It can lead to blurry vision, light sensitivity, or even blindness.

A young boy with his eyes closed.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Microphthalmia in Children: Understanding its Causes, Implications, and Management Strategies

Microphthalmia is a condition where the eye does not fully develop. There’s no cure, but early intervention can improve function for children with poor vision.

An ophthalmologist examines a boy who complains of burning and pain in his eyes.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Congenital Glaucoma: Early Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Young Children

Congenital glaucoma is a disease where the pressure inside your baby’s eye is too high. This can damage the optic nerve and can even make your child go blind.

Sense of Play by Dana Meachen Rau

Braille and Literacy, Product Reviews, Visual Impairment

Sense of Play

Dana Meachen Rau's book, Sense of Play, follows the adventures of Chip and Joy as they play. Chip is blind, but this doesn't get in the way of their play!

Pretty nice schoolgirl feeling good while feeding a kid.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Albinism and Vision: Unraveling the Myths and Understanding the Facts

Albinism is a genetic condition that reduces melanin. There are many myths about albinism and vision, so educating yourself with the facts is important.

Close up of young mother kissing her baby girl while lying under a blanket in the bedroom.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): What Parents Need to Know

Retinopathy of prematurity is common in babies born before 33 weeks. Early intervention can help prevent blindness in babies with this condition.

Optometry, vision and mother with child with glasses after examination, test and diagnosis for eyesight.

Eye Conditions and Syndromes, Visual Impairment

Understanding the Impact of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Children: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

If you have a child with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), family members, therapists, and eye specialists can help you manage the stress that comes with vision loss.

Blind little vietnamese girl.

Special Needs, Visual Impairment

Understanding Early Childhood Blindness: Causes and Diagnoses

Vision impairment in young children can be caused by congenital and acquired conditions. Many services are available to help children with low vision achieve their healthy best.

Six blue origami birds being led by one yellow origami bird.

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

Accessible Origami for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Accessible Origami provides basic text-only step-by-step instructions on how to fold popular origami figures for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Insight Beyond Eyesight logo

Visual Impairment

Insight Beyond Eyesight

Insight Beyond Eyesight provides support, information, and networking for Jewish individuals who are visually impaired and their families.

BlindShell Classic 2 Cell Phone

Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment

BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone

The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone, with a tactile keypad, large screen, and enhanced voice control, is the perfect phone for those blind users.

Baby reaching for sensory toys.

Visual Impairment

Developing Multisensory Skills in Blind Babies

Multisensory play, combining sounds and touch, and encouraging reaching and exploration can help your blind baby develop better spacial awareness.

A visually impaired baby boy in PT reaches for a toy.

Development, Visual Impairment

Development Charts for Blind and Visually Impaired Babies and Children

Blind children may have delayed development in several key areas. These development charts outline milestones for visually impaired babies.

blind baby crawling

Crawling, Visual Impairment

When does a blind baby start crawling?

When does a blind baby usually start to crawl? When should I start to be worried that there is another issue besides blindness?

Autistic boy having a meltdown and throwing a toy.

Autism, Behavior, Visual Impairment

Managing Difficult Behaviors in Children Who Are Blind and Autistic

Parents of children who are blind and autistic often face unique challenges when it comes to managing behavioral issues. Many traditional behavioral management techniques rely on visual supports, which can...

Young boy looking at a light up toy in a dark room.

Toys, Visual Impairment

10 Cortical Visual Impairment Toys for Kids With CVI

It's important to choose toys that are relatively simple in design, as complex patterns can be overwhelming for children with CVI.