Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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    • TVI Baltimore, MD
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  • Program
    • Professional Practice >
      • Professional Development
      • Teacher Standards
      • Professional Ethics
      • Itinerant Teaching Tips
      • VI Program Handbook
      • Year at a Glance
      • Federal Quota Funds
      • Deaf-Blind Child Count
      • Caseload Analysis
      • Role of the Classroom Teacher
      • Simulation Activities
      • Social Etiquette
    • Vision Professionals >
      • Become a Vision Professional
      • Professional Preparation Programs
      • Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
      • Orientation & Mobility Specialist
      • Low Vision Specialist
      • Rehabilitation Specialists
      • CATIS
      • Paraprofessionals & Braille Transcribers
    • Program Resources >
      • VI Organizations
      • Braille Resources
      • Deaf-Blind Resources
      • Support Networks
      • Journal Resources
      • State SpEd Agencies
      • Schools for the Blind
      • Georgia Vision Resources
    • V.I. Book Resources >
      • VI Resource Books
      • Braille Book Resources
      • Children's Books
      • Young Reader Books
      • Books about Dog Guides
      • Non-Fiction
      • Helen Keller Books
    • Parent Resources >
      • Online Parent Resources
      • Parent Resource Books
      • Grief & Suffering Books
      • Financial Assistance
      • Home Adaptations
      • Summer Reading (braille)
      • Summer Outdoor Activities
      • Rainy Days Activities
      • Camps for VI
    • History of Visual Impairments >
      • National Agenda
      • Legislation
      • Timeline of VI
      • Biblical Passages Concerning Blindness
      • Notable People
      • Helen Keller
      • History of Braillewriters
  • Service
    • Referrals >
      • Vision Concerns
      • Vision Classifications
      • Referral Process
      • Eligibility Guidelines
      • Vision Therapy Controversy
      • When Student Doesn't Qualify
    • Vision Exams >
      • Medical Professionals
      • Vision Tests & Tools
      • Visual Acuity
      • Lenses
      • Visual Fields
      • Structure & Function of the Eye
      • Common Vocabulary
      • Common Visual Impairments
      • Cortical Visual Impairments
      • Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
      • Deaf-Blind
    • FVE LMA >
      • What is the FVE
      • Interpret the Eye Report
      • FVE Observations
      • Interviews
      • Assessment Kit Materials
      • Oculomotor Skills
      • Near Visual Acuities
      • Print Comparisons
      • Distance Acuity
      • Test Visual Fields
      • Vision Skills
      • Learning Media Assessment
      • Reading Rates
      • Writing the FVE Report
    • Other Evaluations >
      • Clinical Low Vision Evaluation
      • Orientation & Mobility Evaluation
      • Impact on Development & Learning
      • Educational Assessments
      • Language Development
    • IEPs >
      • ECC Annual Needs
      • Writing SMART Goals
      • Blooms Taxonomy
      • Goal Bank >
        • Compensatory Goals
        • Sensory Efficiency Goals
        • Assistive Technology Goals
        • Social Skills Goals
        • Independent Living Goals
        • Recreation & Leisure Goals
        • Self Determination Goals
        • Career & Vocational Goals
      • Accommodations & Modifications
      • Service Delivery Models
      • Least Restrictive Environment
      • Student Led IEPs
    • Transition Plans
    • 504 Plans
  • Adaptations
    • Unique Visual Needs
    • Instructional Adaptations >
      • Movies & Assemblies
      • Lectures & Instruction
      • Board Work (Chalk, Interactive, White)
    • Material Adaptations >
      • Accessible Educational Materials
      • Photocopying
      • Font Legibility
      • Increase Contrast
      • Pictures and Worksheets
    • Environmental Adaptations >
      • School Campus Adaptations
      • Classroom Design Tips
      • Labeling System
      • Adjust Lighting
      • Playground Adaptations
    • Electives Adaptations >
      • Art
      • Art Materials
      • Music
      • Music & Movement
      • Dance
      • P.E. Adaptations
      • P.E. Resources
      • Home Economics
    • Early Intervention
    • Early Childhood >
      • Daily Schedule
      • Morning Meeting
      • Weather Check
      • Dramatic Play
      • Blocks
    • Math Adaptations >
      • Numbers & Counting
      • Algebra
      • Geometry & Spatial Sense
      • Measurement & Data
    • Literacy Adaptations >
      • Early Literacy Experiences
      • Reading Efficiency
    • Science Adaptations >
      • Science Materials
    • Social Studies Adaptations >
      • Social Studies Materials
  • ECC
    • Compensatory >
      • Guiding Principles of Concept Development
      • Community Based Experiences
      • Concepts to Teach
      • Organization & Study Skills
      • Tactile Graphics Guidelines
      • Tactile Graphics Instruction
      • Creating Tactile Graphics
      • Cranmer Abacus Instruction
    • Communication Modes >
      • Large Print
      • Braille Code
      • Braille Instruction
      • Braille Instruction Materials
      • Writing Braille
      • Create Tactual Books
      • Nemeth Braille Code
      • Signature & Handwriting Instruction
    • Students with MD >
      • Functional Skills
      • Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
      • Transition Between Activities
      • Lightbox Use
      • Encourage Use of Vision in Students with MD
      • Sensory Activities for Students with MD
      • Teacher Made Materials for Students with MD
      • Sensory Areas & Rooms
    • Sensory Efficiency >
      • Sensory Input
      • Sensory Table
      • Visual Efficiency Skills
      • Visual Attend and Scan Activities
      • Visual Tracking Activities
      • Visual Discrimination Activities
      • Visual Motor Activities
      • Optical Device Use
      • Tactual Readiness
      • Developing Skillful Hands
      • Auditory Readiness
      • Listening Skills Instruction
    • Independent Living >
      • Responsibility & Independence
      • Hygiene & Grooming
      • Dressing & Clothing Management
      • Mealtime Independence
      • Housekeeping
      • Money
      • Time Management
      • Food Preparation
    • O&M >
      • Proper Guide Techniques
      • Orienting Student to Environment
      • Mobility Skills
      • Travel
      • Dog Guides
    • Career Edu. >
      • Learn to Play
      • Classroom Jobs
      • Career & Vocational
      • Preparing for College
    • Social Skills >
      • Non-Verbal Communication
      • Social Interactions
      • Self Concept
      • Icebreakers & Mixers
    • Recreation & Leisure >
      • Recreation & Leisure Resources
    • Self Determination
    • Teaching in Thematic Units
  • Assistive Tech
    • Overview of Assistive Technology
    • Assistive Technology Assessment
    • Types of VI AT >
      • Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
      • Low/Medium Tech Devices for Tactual Learners
      • Optical Devices for Near
      • Optical Devices for Distance
      • Video Magnifiers
      • Screen Enlargement & Readers
      • Braille Technology
      • Tactile Graphics Technology
      • Auditory Access Devices
    • AT Instruction >
      • iPads as Instructional Tools
      • Making the iOS Device Accessible
      • Video Magnifier Instruction
      • Notetaker Instruction
      • Accessing Audio Books
      • Navigate Computer without a Mouse
      • Word Processing and Shortcuts
      • Keyboarding Instruction
    • Apps for VI >
      • Note Taking Apps
      • Apps for Accessing Books
      • Identification Apps
      • Navigation & Location Apps
      • Braille Apps
      • Magnifier Apps
      • Sound Making Apps
      • Cause & Effect Apps
      • Vision Skills Apps
      • Apps for Early Learning
      • Read to Me Story Apps
      • Apps for Communication
      • Android Apps for VI
    • Braillewriter Repair
    • AT Resources
    • Vendors

PARENTING RESOURCE BOOKS

Stack of parenting resource books.
By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com


When parents first learn their child is blind or has a visual impairment, they face an emotional impact and may have a difficult time trying to cope with the diagnosis. Families will typically search for support and resources to learn more about the specific diagnosis and also seek to learn how to help their child learn and provide the best support and resources for their child. ​I have included resources for parents specific on parenting children with visual impairments as well as books about parenting children with special needs. Please let me know if there are additional resource books you would like to see added to this page.

Children with Visual Impairments: A Parents' Guide ​

Cover of Children with Visual Impairments
Holbrook, M. Cay.  Children with Visual Impairments: A Parents' Guide (Special Needs Collection).  Woodbine House, 1995. Topics include: diagnosis and treatment; family life and adjustment; your child's development; Early Intervention and Special Education; literacy; Orientation & Mobility; multiple and visual disabilities; legal issues and planning for the future.

First Steps

Cover of First Steps book
Anthony, Chen, Fazzi, et al. First Steps. The Blind Children's Center, 1993. This handbook for teaching young children who are visually impaired provides a foundation and an overview of issues and concerns to families. Topics include early childhood development, professionals, the eye, the family, behavior management, speech/language, sensorimotor development, O&M skills, self-help skills, IEPs and materials and devices for children with visual impairments.

Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer

Cover of Just Enough to Know Better
Curran, Eileen. Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer. Natl Braille Pr; Braille edition, 1988. This book is designed to teach parents and caregivers the basics of braille. Through sight, you will learn to identify braille alphabet, numbers, contractions, and even a few exceptions to braille rules.  It includes exercises in braille, flashcards and a cheat-sheet.

Learning to Play

Cover of Learning to Play
Recchia, Susan L. Learning to Play. Blind Children's Center, 1987. The booklet focuses on exploring toys and materials, making transitions from one activity to another and playing with other children.

The New Language of Toys

Cover of The New Language of Toys
Schwarts and Miller. The New Language of Toys: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with special Needs: A Guide for Parents and Teachers. Woodbine House, 1996. A guide about using everyday toys to develop communication skills in children with disabilities and making playtime a fun, exciting and educational experience.

Orientation and Mobility Primer for Families and Young Children

Cover of Orientation and Mobility Primer
Dobson-Burk, Bonnie. Orientation and Mobility Primer for Families and Young Children. American Foundation for the Blind, 1989. This book describes the skills children with visual impairments need to move safely and efficiently. Includes sensory training, concept development, motor development, and orientation skills. It also includes suggestions for encouraging a child to move, to identify the sources of sounds, to keep track of objects, and to play successfully with others.

Reach Out and Teach

Cover of Reach Out and Teach
Ferrell, Kay. Reach Out and Teach AFB Press, 2011. This guide teaches parents and teachers how to promote the development of young children with visual and multiple impairments.

Special Parent, Special Child

Cover of Special Parent, Special Child
Sullivan, Tom. Special Parent, Special Child.  Tarcher, 1996. In this book, parents of children with disabilities share their trails and discoveries with others, revealing their special struggles, their methods for overcoming problems, and their advice to others.

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations

Cover of Breakthrough Parenting
Winter, Judy. Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations. This book provides detailed information on how to let go of the "perfect-baby" dream, face and resolve grief, avoid the use of limiting and outdated labels and provides guidelines on working with professionals.

Different Dream Parenting

Cover of Different Dream Parenting
Philo, Jolene. Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs. Jolene Philo offers guidance and encouragement through biblical insights and her own personal experiences. The book helps the reader find spiritual wisdom, practical resources, and tools that can help you become an extraordinary advocate for your child.

Held

Cover of Held
Peoples, Sandra. Held: Learning to Live in God's Grip: A Bible Study for Special-Needs Parents. This Bible study is written for for special-needs parents by special-needs parents. The study can be done alone, as a couple, or in a group.

Special Children, Challenged Parents

Cover of Special Children, Challenged Parents
Naseef, Robert. Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability. Written by a clinical psychologist and parent of a son with autism, the reflections and perspectives are applicable to families with other disabilities. It discusses the impact of the disability on the entire family.

Brothers & Sisters

Cover of Brothers & Siblings
Dwight, Laura. Brothers & Sisters. This book features siblings with a range of disabilities including visual impairment. The siblings play, squabble, and work together to solve differences.

Please note, some of these links to the products listed are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support this website and allows me to continue to make free content.  Thank you for your support! 

Become a Member

TSVI logo
Sign up for FREE membership and gain access to FREE forms and templates to support your VI program. ​Simply click on Log In|Register in the navigation bar at the top of the page and follow the directions to register and create your password. ​​

Post a Job 

Job Posting on Post-It Note
Due to the nationwide shortage of vision professionals, it can be challenging to locate personnel. Announce a job vacancy on the Job Exchange of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, an online listing of jobs specific to the visual impairment field.

About

Photo of Carmen
Hi! I'm Carmen Willings. Welcome to my website! I developed this web resource to support fellow TVI's and to educate those new to the field of visual impairments in how to best support students who are blind or visually impaired.  ​Read More

    Book Resource

    Do you have a book resource you feel should be listed here? Please complete this form so I can add it to this page.
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VI Program

Professional Practice
Vision Professionals
​VI Program Resources

VI Book Resources
​Parent Resources
History of VI

Programming

Referrals 
Vision Exams
FVE/LMA
Other Evals
IEP's
Early Intervention
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Adaptations

Instructional Adapt.
Material Adapt.
Environmental Adapt.
Early Childhood
Literacy Adaptations
Math Adaptations
Science Adaptations
Soc. St. Adaptations
Electives Adapt.

ECC

Compensatory  
Li​teracy Instruction
Sensory Effic.
Independent Living
Social Skills
O&M ​
Career Edu.
Rec & Leisure
Self Determination

Assistive Tech.

AT Assessment
​Types of VI AT 
​AT Instruction
Apps for VI
Braillewriter Repair
AT Resources
Vendors
  • Home
    • Site Map
    • About
    • FAQs
    • Newsletter
    • Printables
    • Presentations >
      • Conducting a FVELMA
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • Classroom AT for VI
      • Get Out of ECC Rut
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategy and Tips
  • VI Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • TVI Baltimore, MD
    • New Orleans, Lighthouse Louisiana
    • Colorado Springs, CO
    • Equal Eyes throughout NC
    • Forsyth County, Cumming, GA
    • Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind
    • TBVI/COMS in NC and MN
    • Vision Institute of SC
    • Washington DC Metro Area
  • Program
    • Professional Practice >
      • Professional Development
      • Teacher Standards
      • Professional Ethics
      • Itinerant Teaching Tips
      • VI Program Handbook
      • Year at a Glance
      • Federal Quota Funds
      • Deaf-Blind Child Count
      • Caseload Analysis
      • Role of the Classroom Teacher
      • Simulation Activities
      • Social Etiquette
    • Vision Professionals >
      • Become a Vision Professional
      • Professional Preparation Programs
      • Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
      • Orientation & Mobility Specialist
      • Low Vision Specialist
      • Rehabilitation Specialists
      • CATIS
      • Paraprofessionals & Braille Transcribers
    • Program Resources >
      • VI Organizations
      • Braille Resources
      • Deaf-Blind Resources
      • Support Networks
      • Journal Resources
      • State SpEd Agencies
      • Schools for the Blind
      • Georgia Vision Resources
    • V.I. Book Resources >
      • VI Resource Books
      • Braille Book Resources
      • Children's Books
      • Young Reader Books
      • Books about Dog Guides
      • Non-Fiction
      • Helen Keller Books
    • Parent Resources >
      • Online Parent Resources
      • Parent Resource Books
      • Grief & Suffering Books
      • Financial Assistance
      • Home Adaptations
      • Summer Reading (braille)
      • Summer Outdoor Activities
      • Rainy Days Activities
      • Camps for VI
    • History of Visual Impairments >
      • National Agenda
      • Legislation
      • Timeline of VI
      • Biblical Passages Concerning Blindness
      • Notable People
      • Helen Keller
      • History of Braillewriters
  • Service
    • Referrals >
      • Vision Concerns
      • Vision Classifications
      • Referral Process
      • Eligibility Guidelines
      • Vision Therapy Controversy
      • When Student Doesn't Qualify
    • Vision Exams >
      • Medical Professionals
      • Vision Tests & Tools
      • Visual Acuity
      • Lenses
      • Visual Fields
      • Structure & Function of the Eye
      • Common Vocabulary
      • Common Visual Impairments
      • Cortical Visual Impairments
      • Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
      • Deaf-Blind
    • FVE LMA >
      • What is the FVE
      • Interpret the Eye Report
      • FVE Observations
      • Interviews
      • Assessment Kit Materials
      • Oculomotor Skills
      • Near Visual Acuities
      • Print Comparisons
      • Distance Acuity
      • Test Visual Fields
      • Vision Skills
      • Learning Media Assessment
      • Reading Rates
      • Writing the FVE Report
    • Other Evaluations >
      • Clinical Low Vision Evaluation
      • Orientation & Mobility Evaluation
      • Impact on Development & Learning
      • Educational Assessments
      • Language Development
    • IEPs >
      • ECC Annual Needs
      • Writing SMART Goals
      • Blooms Taxonomy
      • Goal Bank >
        • Compensatory Goals
        • Sensory Efficiency Goals
        • Assistive Technology Goals
        • Social Skills Goals
        • Independent Living Goals
        • Recreation & Leisure Goals
        • Self Determination Goals
        • Career & Vocational Goals
      • Accommodations & Modifications
      • Service Delivery Models
      • Least Restrictive Environment
      • Student Led IEPs
    • Transition Plans
    • 504 Plans
  • Adaptations
    • Unique Visual Needs
    • Instructional Adaptations >
      • Movies & Assemblies
      • Lectures & Instruction
      • Board Work (Chalk, Interactive, White)
    • Material Adaptations >
      • Accessible Educational Materials
      • Photocopying
      • Font Legibility
      • Increase Contrast
      • Pictures and Worksheets
    • Environmental Adaptations >
      • School Campus Adaptations
      • Classroom Design Tips
      • Labeling System
      • Adjust Lighting
      • Playground Adaptations
    • Electives Adaptations >
      • Art
      • Art Materials
      • Music
      • Music & Movement
      • Dance
      • P.E. Adaptations
      • P.E. Resources
      • Home Economics
    • Early Intervention
    • Early Childhood >
      • Daily Schedule
      • Morning Meeting
      • Weather Check
      • Dramatic Play
      • Blocks
    • Math Adaptations >
      • Numbers & Counting
      • Algebra
      • Geometry & Spatial Sense
      • Measurement & Data
    • Literacy Adaptations >
      • Early Literacy Experiences
      • Reading Efficiency
    • Science Adaptations >
      • Science Materials
    • Social Studies Adaptations >
      • Social Studies Materials
  • ECC
    • Compensatory >
      • Guiding Principles of Concept Development
      • Community Based Experiences
      • Concepts to Teach
      • Organization & Study Skills
      • Tactile Graphics Guidelines
      • Tactile Graphics Instruction
      • Creating Tactile Graphics
      • Cranmer Abacus Instruction
    • Communication Modes >
      • Large Print
      • Braille Code
      • Braille Instruction
      • Braille Instruction Materials
      • Writing Braille
      • Create Tactual Books
      • Nemeth Braille Code
      • Signature & Handwriting Instruction
    • Students with MD >
      • Functional Skills
      • Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
      • Transition Between Activities
      • Lightbox Use
      • Encourage Use of Vision in Students with MD
      • Sensory Activities for Students with MD
      • Teacher Made Materials for Students with MD
      • Sensory Areas & Rooms
    • Sensory Efficiency >
      • Sensory Input
      • Sensory Table
      • Visual Efficiency Skills
      • Visual Attend and Scan Activities
      • Visual Tracking Activities
      • Visual Discrimination Activities
      • Visual Motor Activities
      • Optical Device Use
      • Tactual Readiness
      • Developing Skillful Hands
      • Auditory Readiness
      • Listening Skills Instruction
    • Independent Living >
      • Responsibility & Independence
      • Hygiene & Grooming
      • Dressing & Clothing Management
      • Mealtime Independence
      • Housekeeping
      • Money
      • Time Management
      • Food Preparation
    • O&M >
      • Proper Guide Techniques
      • Orienting Student to Environment
      • Mobility Skills
      • Travel
      • Dog Guides
    • Career Edu. >
      • Learn to Play
      • Classroom Jobs
      • Career & Vocational
      • Preparing for College
    • Social Skills >
      • Non-Verbal Communication
      • Social Interactions
      • Self Concept
      • Icebreakers & Mixers
    • Recreation & Leisure >
      • Recreation & Leisure Resources
    • Self Determination
    • Teaching in Thematic Units
  • Assistive Tech
    • Overview of Assistive Technology
    • Assistive Technology Assessment
    • Types of VI AT >
      • Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
      • Low/Medium Tech Devices for Tactual Learners
      • Optical Devices for Near
      • Optical Devices for Distance
      • Video Magnifiers
      • Screen Enlargement & Readers
      • Braille Technology
      • Tactile Graphics Technology
      • Auditory Access Devices
    • AT Instruction >
      • iPads as Instructional Tools
      • Making the iOS Device Accessible
      • Video Magnifier Instruction
      • Notetaker Instruction
      • Accessing Audio Books
      • Navigate Computer without a Mouse
      • Word Processing and Shortcuts
      • Keyboarding Instruction
    • Apps for VI >
      • Note Taking Apps
      • Apps for Accessing Books
      • Identification Apps
      • Navigation & Location Apps
      • Braille Apps
      • Magnifier Apps
      • Sound Making Apps
      • Cause & Effect Apps
      • Vision Skills Apps
      • Apps for Early Learning
      • Read to Me Story Apps
      • Apps for Communication
      • Android Apps for VI
    • Braillewriter Repair
    • AT Resources
    • Vendors
✕