Special Needs

Find support for parents of children with special needs. Learn how to advocate for your child, raise funds for needed equipment and find helpful organizations.

Filter by: Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Autism, Schools for the Blind, Support, Visual Impairment

the blind cook

Feeding and Eating, Visual Impairment

The Blind Cook is Cooking with Her Four Senses

This video series features blind chef Christine Ha as she demonstrates cooking without sight. The show also offers nutritional tips and other cool food-related information.

blind student walking at school

Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment

Hand Use While Walking: Helping Your Child Who is Blind Understand His Home

Certified Orientation and Mobility instructor Susan Shier Lowry gives tips on how to encourage young blind children to reach out and touch while walking through familiar environments. Trailing techniques are...

Reach Out and Teach

Visual Impairment

Reach Out and Teach: Helping Your Child Who is Visually Impaired Learn and Grow

The empowering guide that teaches parents how to promote the development of young children with visual and multiple impairments.

the Ballyland characters

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Sonokids Software and Apps for Kids who are Visually Impaired

Sonokids is an Australian software company that creates accessible computer and app games for kids who are visually impaired.

accessibility on Apple

Assistive Technology, iPad Apps and Accessibility

Buy Assistive Technology from Apple

You can now purchase assistive technology products directly from Apple on the Global Apple Store. Products are currently available in a variety of categories including Vision, Physical & Motor Skills...

Eric using an anticipator

Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment

Anticipators for Young Children with Visual Impairments: Push Toys, Pre-Canes and Long Canes

Early Orientation and Mobility skills for blind children can be taught with pre-canes or push toys. Learn how to choose the best tools and when to introduce them.

Lachlan using brailler

Support, Visual Impairment

Surviving the First 18 Months After Learning Your Child is Blind

Learning your baby is blind is hard... but you will move on! Janine says, "Life was continuing and I started to realize how strong we were becoming. The tears were...

A student with her iPad

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

5 Ways to Teach Your Blind Child How to Use an iPad

Tips to help you and your child who is visually impaired learn the basics of how the iPad works and how to use all the accessibility features it has to...

Ivan and family at first day of preschool

IEPs, Visual Impairment

IEP’s for Parents of Blind or Visually Impaired Children

Learn the basics of creating an IEP for a child with a visual impairment so you can walk in to your IEP meeting perfectly prepared.

baby feet with sand

Parenting, Support

When I Feel Alone as a Mom to a Child With Anophthalmia, I Remember This

Gwen writes about her baby daughter, Ivey, and the medical issues she faces. Gwen finds strength in her friends, family and even strangers who are drawn to her little girl.

Facebook Accessibility

Assistive Technology

Images Now Accessible on Facebook, Twitter

New accessibility features make images accessible to blind users on social networks Facebook and Twitter

A young woman with red hair hugging her guide dog, a yellow lab

Visual Impairment

Looking Good and Feeling Good When You’re Visually Impaired

Fashion blogger Emily Davison discusses teaching kids with visual impairment about appearance, self-esteem and social acceptance.

Ballyland Magic app

iPad Apps and Accessibility, Visual Impairment

Ballyland Magic App: Introducing iPad Accessibility to Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Ballyland Magic app introduces visually impaired and blind kids to iPad accessibility features like VoiceOver through a fun game. The game is entertaining so they don't even realize they are...

child's hand finger painting

Sensory Activities, Toys, Visual Impairment

The Best Sensory Play Toys for Visually Impaired Kids

We've collected the best sensory toys for blind kids! Find tactile toys, sound toys, scented toys, tasty toys, light toys and vestibular toys.

woman in wheelchair with baby carrier attached

Parenting, Support

Disabled Parenting Project

The Disabled Parenting Project (DPP) is an online space for sharing experiences, advice, and conversations among disabled parents as well as those considering parenthood.