Amber Bobnar

Originally from Hawaii, Amber and her family moved to Massachusetts to be closer to Boston Children’s Hospital where her son, Ivan, now receives medical care.

 

She has a Master’s degree in English from Tufts University and spends most of her “free time” writing about being a parent of a disabled child on WonderBaby.org. But really most of her time is spent caring for and playing with her son.

cartoon brailler with eyes, arms and legs walking on grass

Giveaways

The Backpacking SMART Brailler Event!

Mr. SMART Brailler is taking a trip around the U.S. and wants to come visit you! We are choosing 6 families to be visited by the SMART Brailler and one...

Ivan's Book of Big and Little

Braille and Literacy

Make Your Own Big & Little Book!

Really good tactile books can be hard to find, especially if you are looking for tactile books that teach a simple concept like shapes or sizes. So why not make...

close up of a colorful abacus

Math and Science

Fun & Accessible Math & Number Activities!

Did you know that math can be fun and that preschool math activities can be made accessible? Here is a list of five fun activities that will teach your child...

Beyond the Darkness

Eye Conditions and Syndromes

Beyond the Darkness: A Blog About Raising a Child with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

A mother writes candidly about the birth and life of her son, Gabriel, who has Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).

My Talking Picture Board screenshot

iPad Apps and Accessibility

My Talking Picture Board App Review

My Talking Picture Board app, from Little Bear Sees, helps children with CVI learn how to locate and recognize two dimensional images.

Carroll Center

Assistive Technology

Carroll Tech Online Assistive Technology Courses

The Carroll Center offers training and educational support for children and adults who are blind in Massachusetts, but did you know that they also offer some very informative online training...

Dolls with canes and wheelchairs

Toys

Adaptive Equipment for Dolls with Special Needs

Lakeshore Learning sells adaptive equipment that you can pair with any of their multiethnic school dolls. You can choose a doll that looks like your child (they offer many different...

A child's hand trying to find easter egg in sensory egg hunt

Holiday Crafts and Ideas

Make Your Own Egg Hunt Sensory Game!

With just a tray, some uncooked rice and a few hidden plastic easter eggs you can create a fun sensory game for your blind child. We'll give you some ideas...

A student using a braille note taker

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!

Justin Roberts Lullaby

Giveaways

Lullaby CD Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of Justin Roberts' new lullaby CD. Having a relaxing collection of music that you can turn to when you need to calm your child is...

NogginStik

Giveaways

NogginStik Giveaway!

Enter to win the NogginStik, a neat light-up rattle designed with development in mind, particularly visual development. It's a great toy for babies and young children with visual impairments who...

Calming Gift Set

Giveaways

Calming Gift Set Giveaway!

What's better than a soothing bath at the end of the day? How about a soothing bath with all natural lavender and meadowsweet oils to help calm and relax your...

Noggin Stik

Toys

Noggin Stik Developmental Light-up Rattle

The NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle lights up red, blue and green to stimulate a baby’s eyes and to encourage visual tracking. It has a textured body and is easy to...

Thomas Marshall

Special Needs

Thomas Marshall Does It All

Thomas is visually impaired and Jessica writes about the trials and successes of raising a little boy who is blind, while always focusing on the positive.

Holiday Crafts and Ideas

Make Your Own Marshmallow Dreidel!

Make Marshmallow Chanukah Dreidels with a pretzel stick, a marshmallow, a dab of frosting and a hershey's kiss. Yum!