Practical Information for Parents and Caregivers
Most people are afraid of the unknown. Your child's visual impairment seems frightening because you more than likely have little or no knowledge about visual impairment.
The resources listed here are meant to give you information that will be beneficial to you in making your child happy, self-assured and inquisitive - as you would do with any child. Early contact with parent groups may be one of the most important things you can do to help yourself with this goal.
The organizations and resources listed here are eager to provide you with information. Your best source of information regarding your child’s vision is your pediatric ophthalmologist. The other resources included here are primarily educational.
ACTIVE LEARNING MATERIALS
Active Learning Materials can be purchased through the following suppliers:
Vision Associates - Books and FIELA Curriculum
Funktionssentret, Litleasveien 41, 5090 Nyborg, Norway.
Phone: +47 55 39 20 80 | Fax: +47 55 18 77 60
Email: vasscociates@sprintmail.com
National Braille Press - Book bags are available for all U.S. children, birth to seven years of age. For further information contact aruell@nbp.org, or call (888) 965-8965, ext. 34,
EDUCATIONAL Support & Advocacy
Support for Your Child With Special Needs As They Join the Public Schools (Including Development or Review of IEPs) Email Donna Walls, MS ED.
REMOTE EDUCATIONAL & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Center for the Visually Impaired in Georgia offers remote services for kids of all ages with vision loss and their families. They help children succeed academically, thrive socially, and gain independence. Find out more here.
Mobile Assistive Technologies for People With Low Vision and Blindness
While smartphones and tablets are helpful in everyday life, those with low vision and blindness may find it difficult or even impossible to use them. Fortunately, smartphone manufacturers and software developers are aware of the problem and work to implement many accessibility features on mobile devices so people with low vision can use them.
Navigating College With Visual Impairments
This article from College Consensus has some great tips and links for students who are thinking about college.
Online learning for students with disabilities - A complete guide to distance learning for students with disabilities. Learn how to work with disability services, employ assistive technology, evaluate online programs, and succeed in the virtual classroom.
Employment Resources for Visually Impaired
National Federation of the Blind Center of Employment Opportunity
TAD Foundation mentorship for visually impaired individuals looking for work in professional roles in the corporate world.
INFORMATION ABOUT FREE ACCESS PASSES TO NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL RECREATIONAL LANDS
Lifetime free passes area available for any U.S citizen or permanent resident. For further information click here.
CAMPING FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Although not exhaustive this link provides information on camps available for children who are visually impaired within the United States.