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

3D Printer

Math and Science, Visual Impairment

3D Printing for Visual Impairments

How can 3D printing enhance the life of a visually impaired child? From toys to tactile graphics to braille puzzles... the possibilities are endless!

Ivan in his mother's arms

Visual Impairment

The Day I Redefined Perfection as the Mother of a Blind Child

How can your baby be perfect if he can't see? Obviously there is something really wrong with his eyes, and isn't perfect the absence of wrong?

Ivan and mom in the bouncy house

Support

Why a supportive community is so important for special needs kids!

Ivan wanted to join in the inflated obstacle course, but can a child with low muscle tone make it to the end of the course?

3D printed eye

Math and Science, Visual Impairment

3D Printing Innovations in Vision and Blindness

One extremely important use for the advancing 3D printing technology is within the medical field, and more specifically in the field of vision.

Accessible Preschool Arts & Crafts

Tactile Arts and Crafts, Visual Impairment

12 Easy Tips for Accessible Preschool Arts & Crafts for Kids who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Can a blind preschooler be included in preschool arts and crafts? Of course! With a little planning and forethought, preschool crafts can be completely accessible.

LightAide Lesson Plan from UAH Rise School

Education, Special Needs

Making Circle Time Accessible for All Students

This lesson plan from UAH Rise School incorporates the Lily LightAide in making their circle time routine accessible for students of all abilities.

Netflix logo

Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment

Netflix Announces Accessibility Feature for Blind Users

On April 14, 2015, Netflix officially announced the addition of audio description tracks for viewers who are visually impaired.

Ivan at the Shark and Ray Touch Tank

Visual Impairment

12 Tips for an Accessible Zoo Visit for Kids who are Visually Impaired

Can the zoo be accessible for a blind child? Of course! Find tips from moms on how to make your visit to the zoo meaningful and enjoyable.

Book cover of

Autism, Behavior

Raising A Sensory Smart Child

For children who struggle to process everyday sensations and exhibit unusual behaviors such as avoiding or seeking out touch, movement, sounds, and sights.

Ivan playing with Bead Maze

Toys, Visual Impairment

10 Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Toy for a Child who is Blind

The next time you're in a toy store or department store looking for toys for your child who is blind or visually impaired, keep these 10 questions in mind!

Rainbow activities for blind kids

Math and Science, Visual Impairment

Rainbow Activities for Blind Children

How do you explain a rainbow to a child that has never seen one, let alone never seen colors? It may seem complicated to talk about colors with your blind...

Ivan hunting for beeping eggs

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment

Buyer’s Guide to Beeping Easter Eggs

We've sifted through the web and browsed our local stores to bring you this list of where to find beeping and noise-maker Easter eggs for your blind child.

Ivan with his father on father's day

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Person First Language: “Child Who is Blind” or “Blind Child”

Have you thought about how you refer to your child? Do you say, "my blind baby" or "my baby who is blind"? Does it matter?

Hueyify

Assistive Technology

Hueyify: Making the Internet Accessible to Everyone

The Hueyify software allows any user to customize any webpage to their personal preferences, including color, font size, layout and more. Talk about an accessible web!

Madilyn finding light switch

Math and Science, Visual Impairment

Accessible STEM: An Introduction to Light for Blind Children

Introduce the scientific basics of light to your child through hands-on activities like exploring your home and other familiar places, along with tactile worksheets.