Melisa Matthews, Author at ConnectCenter

Digital Resources from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Posted on October 19, 2023 - 10:38 am by Melisa Matthews

A student wearing glasses uses an iPad in the classroom.

Your child may come home with a school iPad, Chromebook, or laptop, and you may be aware of increased digital instruction and activities. You may need resources to help your child’s team ensure the technology is usable for your child. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) conducted the Access and Engagement research serie and […]

Coloboma

Umbrella in different colors among other black and white umbrellas as light shines through clouds.

What Is a Coloboma? A coloboma is a cleft or gap in some part of the eye, such as the iris, lens, optic nerve, or retina, caused by a defect in the development of the eyeball. The extent to which a coloboma affects a person’s vision depends on the size and location of the cleft […]

Preparing for Middle School

A group of middle school choir students singing.

Your child’s first school chapter is coming to a close, and the next one, middle school, is on the horizon. You may feel similar to when you prepared to send your child to kindergarten for the first time. It is emotional! Thankfully, you and your child can prepare for ahead of time. Before the end […]

Let’s Learn About APH Braille Displays

Posted on August 30, 2023 - 10:21 am by Melisa Matthews

Join us for a brief overview of the Mantis Q40 and Chameleon 20 braille displays! We’ll also discuss other braille displays and braille literacy and have time for questions. Mantis vs Chameleon If you’re unfamiliar, the Mantis and Chameleon have similar software but differ in key ways. The first and most obvious difference is that the Mantis has […]

Navigating the Transition from Preschool to Kindergarten

A young boy holding a pen looking at an assignment on a slant board.

As parents, one of the most crucial milestones we encounter is preparing our children to transition from preschool to kindergarten. For families with children who are blind or low vision, this may come with additional needs and planning. Working with your educational team will help make the process smooth and less worrisome for you and […]