Educational Advocacy

This section is scheduled for expansion in the near future, so please check back frequently to see what's new.

These web resources guide parents in understanding the intricacies of special education regulations and procedures, and advocating for the unique educational needs of their children who are blind or visually impaired.

Full-Text Articles

A Parent Primer on Special Education Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Definitions: Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center
A useful guide through the alphabet soup of educational terms and abbreviations. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Accessing Foreign Language Materials as a Blind or Low Vision Student, Mobility International USA
Guide for arranging for assistive technology, accessible formats and services in a college-level foreign language course. Specific emphasis upon Arabic, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Russian, and Turkish.

Developmental Assessment: Role of the Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Deafblind, Advisor: Assisting the Development of Visually Impaired Students through Online Resources
Explains the importance of assessment in supporting a child's development and the necessity of teamwork between medical and educational professionals.

Education: American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind's website is the place to start for parents and teachers who want to understand what their child needs to learn in order to succeed in school and in life. Outlines the educational needs and rights and development of children who are blind, from infancy to the college years.

New Brochure About Braille Requirements in the Law, American Foundation for the Blind
Explains the requirements of the braille instruction provision in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The IEP Process: National Federation of the Blind
Advice for parents on helping to create and understanding the importance of their child's Individual Education Program, assembled by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, associated with the National Federation of the Blind.

Web-Based Organizations and Resources

National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
Provides information and support to parents and advocates for the educational needs of children with blindness or visual impairments.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
A national "source of information on: disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth, IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education, No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and research-based information on effective educational practices."

National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS): National Federation of the Blind
Supports and promotes the teaching of science and math to students who are blind, including technical support, participatory programs, development of teaching materials, and mentoring.

PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights)
A national resource center whose mission is "to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents." The organization is especially knowledgeable about assistive technology and computers in the classroom

National Association of Blind Students (NABS): National Federation of the Blind
"For over 30 years this national organization of blind students has provided support, information, and encouragement to blind college and university students."

Blind Babies Foundation
The "Resources for Parents and Professionals" section has information about the Babies Count National Registry, an advocacy and educational planning tool for children with visual impairment.