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.

Ivan with his sticky box

Behavior, Sensory Activities

Overcoming Tactile Sensitivity with a Sticky Box!

Collect sticky and gooey toys and throw them all in one box. You'll create a sensory toy that will help your child learn to love sticky things.

Social Worker helping a blind child to get services

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Fighting for Services for Your Blind Child

Why is it so hard to find good help? In many states, services for visually impaired children, though mandated through strict federal laws, are very hard to come by. Many...

hand reading braille

Education, Visual Impairment

Six Reasons to Homeschool Your Blind Child

I asked a group of parents who homeschool their blind children to explain to me why they thought homeschool was the best option.

Ivan reading

Braille and Literacy

Beginning Braille Skills

Young braille readers need exposure to reading materials at an early age. Here are some simple things you can do now to help get your blind baby off to a...

Pets Sound Puzzle

Braille and Literacy, Toys

Melissa & Doug Puzzles with Braille

Amazon now carries hand-crafted wooden sound puzzles from Melissa & Doug with braille! Choose from Farm Animals, Zoo Animals, Pets, Talking Shapes, and Vehicles.

Orbit Label options from inchbug

Braille and Literacy

Print and Braille Name Labels!

Learn about Bumpy Name and their fun and useful tactile print and Braille name labels for cups and other items for blind children.

puffy paint

Sensory Activities, Tactile Arts and Crafts

Puffy Paint Art Project

Learn how to make a puffy paint sensory art project with your blind child. It's easy and fun!

Book Cover of On the Way to Literacy

Braille and Literacy

APH’s On the Way to Literacy Book

Check out On the Way to Literacy, a publication of American Printing House for the Blind (APH). This handbook encourages parents and teachers to begin literacy training early with children...

books

Braille and Literacy

Talking Books Q&A: Learning about the U.S. National Library Service

Learn about the U.S. National Library Service and their Talking Books Program, a free service for blind and physically handicapped Americans.

BrailleWorks logo

Braille and Literacy

Braille Works

Braille Works is the leader in creating and distributing reading materials for people that are Legally Blind or have a Visual Impairment.

Piglet book

Braille and Literacy

BRL Braille Children’s Books

BRL places clear brailled tape over the printed text to provide brailled books at an affordable cost. Most titles are under $10.

DJO

Eye Conditions and Syndromes

Digital Journal of Ophthalmology

The DJO is a premier, peer-reviewed ophthalmic journal dedicated to the dissemination of information over the World Wide Web.

disability.gov

Special Needs

Disability.gov

Disability.gov is the U.S. government's portal to a library full of resources and contacts about disability.

Kids touching a giant abacus

Braille and Literacy

Braille Institute of America

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss.

EBU logo

Special Needs

European Blind Union

The European Blind Union is a non-governmental, non profit-making European organization founded in 1984. One of the six regional bodies of the World Blind Union, it is the only organization...