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

stack of papers

Parenting, Special Needs

How to Stay Organized when Raising a Special Needs Child

If you're the parent of a child with medical complexities you're probably feeling pretty stressed. Catherine gives you advice on how to keep your medical records organized so you can...

Video Description for Blind Viewers

Assistive Technology, Visual Impairment

Audio Description for Blind Viewers

Video description for blind children: What is it? Where can I find it? What are the benefits?

Lesley with her husband

Advocacy

Learning to Forge my Own Identity while Living with Cerebral Palsy

Lesley Potgieter writes about how it can be difficult to live up to mainstream standards as a person with disabilities. She encourages parents to help their children create their own...

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...

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!

Kekoa helps Oliana open a present

Parenting, Special Needs

Growing up with a special needs sister

Shannon Gardner writes about her son, Kekoa, and his relationship with his younger sister Oliana, who is blind. She writes about how it can be difficult to have a disabled...

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.

ice cream cone christmas trees

Holiday Crafts and Ideas, Visual Impairment

10 Sensory Christmas Activities for Children who are Blind

During the holidays we are baking, decorating and spending time with family and friends. Get your kids involved by having them help in the kitchen, create Christmas decorations or make...

TVI website banner

Visual Impairment

Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

This is a web resource designed for all teachers and related service personnel who are involved in educating students with visual impairments, but it is also full of great resources...

blind students exploring employment

Advocacy, Visual Impairment

Helping Your Blind Child Transition to Adult Services

Beth Jordan from Helen Keller National Center's Kansas office shares her insights into preparing for transition to adult services for blind students.

A man using a brailler

Assistive Technology, Eye Conditions and Syndromes

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

The idea behind the National Deafblind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) is that people with combined hearing and vision loss should have access to modern telecommunication tools (and the training necessary...

A student learning braille in class

Education, Visual Impairment

Introducing Your Blind Child to a New Teacher

When your child is visually impaired it's kind of scary to hand him off to a new teacher. Here's a solution: Create a welcome packet of materials about your child...

Oklahoma School for the Blind

Schools for the Blind

Oklahoma School for the Blind

Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB), also known as the Parkview School, offers educational services for blind and visually impaired students from preschool through high school.

Overbrook School for the Blind

Schools for the Blind

Overbrook School for the Blind

The Overbrook School is located in Philadelphia, and serves the needs of the blind and visually impaired community in Pennsylvania. They have an international as well as a local focus.

South Carolina logo

Schools for the Blind

South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind

South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind offers separate schools for each disability.