Visual Impairment
Information, support, and resources for families raising children who are blind or visually impaired, with or without additional disabilities.
Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment
Echolocation for Blind Children
Echolocation is the use of sounds to gain information about the environment and surrounding objects. Blind kids can learn to use echolocation to augment traditional orientation and mobility!
Support, Visual Impairment
Finding Online Support Groups for Parents of Blind Kids
Finding an online support group can be a life line for parents of children who are blind or visually impaired. Here are tips on how to find the best support...
Sleep, Visual Impairment
Developing Your Blind Child’s Sleep Schedule
LeAndra writes about her daughter's Circadian Rhythm Disorder (CRD), also called Non-24 Disorder. CRD kept Abby from sleeping for years. LeAndra researched solutions and shares them with you!
Education, Visual Impairment
The College Experience: Preparing Your Blind Child for College
Sue Rawley's son, Aaron, is graduating high school and looking at colleges. Sue talks about this transition and how you can prepare your blind child for independence now.
Play, Visual Impairment
Make baseball accessible with Beep Baseball!
Watch a video about beep baseball and the Boston team, the Renegades. The video explains how beep baseball works and follows a couple blind players through their day.
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Adapted Innovation: Technology Resources for Kids Who are Blind
Julie Johnson is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and an Assistive Technology Specialist. She writes about technology resources for all children with visual impairments and all other disabilities on...
Visual Impairment
The Journey to Independence for My Blind Son
Sue Rawley gives advice on helping your blind child grow up to be as independent as possible. Her son Aaron is about to graduate high school and move on to...
Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment
Adventure Walks: Helping Your Child Who is Blind Move Around Outdoors
Getting your blind child outside and moving around in the community can help them develop motor skills as well as Orientation and Mobility skills.
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
Audio Description for Blind Viewers
Video description for blind children: What is it? Where can I find it? What are the benefits?
Education, Visual Impairment
APH Quota Funds: How to Access Free Educational Materials for Blind & Deafblind Students
Students who are blind or deafblind are eligible for free school supplies and equipment that will help them access school curriculum. Find out how to use these funds!
Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment
10 Sensory Christmas Activities for Children who are Blind
During the holidays we are baking, decorating and spending time with family and friends. Get your kids involved by having them help in the kitchen, create Christmas decorations or make...
Visual Impairment
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
This is a web resource designed for all teachers and related service personnel who are involved in educating students with visual impairments, but it is also full of great resources...
Advocacy, Visual Impairment
Helping Your Blind Child Transition to Adult Services
Beth Jordan from Helen Keller National Center's Kansas office shares her insights into preparing for transition to adult services for blind students.
Education, Visual Impairment
Introducing Your Blind Child to a New Teacher
When your child is visually impaired it's kind of scary to hand him off to a new teacher. Here's a solution: Create a welcome packet of materials about your child...
Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment
EyeMusic: Seeing with Sound
EyeMusic is a sensory substitution device that turns visual data into music so that blind users can hear what's around them. Users of EyeMusic wear glasses with a small video...