Melisa Matthews, Author at ConnectCenter

Story Boxes

Touch and feel Board book with braille and a young child feeling the page.

Early literacy development is crucial for all children, including those who are blind or have low vision. Engaging in at-home activities like story boxes and pre-braille exercises can significantly enhance your child’s readiness for formal braille instruction. These interactive methods make learning enjoyable and build essential skills such as tactile discrimination, fine motor coordination, and […]

Are You a Parent Wondering If You Should Learn Braille?

Adult and child, hand over hand, touching a braille picture book

Since learning about your child’s eye condition, you may be overwhelmed with countless questions. How will my child play? How will they learn to walk? How will they succeed in school? Will they be able to live independently? Who will teach them braille? And should I learn braille, too? The answer to that last question […]

Healthy Sibling Relationship Tips when One Child is Blind or Low Vision

Siblings standing outside with boy holding a white cane wearing a "Keep Calm - it's just a cane" T shirt.

In families where a child is blind or has low vision, it’s crucial to nurture healthy relationships among siblings. Often, siblings of visually impaired children might feel left out due to the extra attention and services their brother or sister receives. Here are strategies to encourage positive interactions and connection among siblings: What Are Equal […]

Free Braille Books for Children

Child reads braille with pointer fingers

APH ConnectCenter FamilyConnect is on a mission to make obtaining braille books easier. We’ve compiled a list of organizations offering free braille books or materials for children in the United States and Canada.  Braille Tales APH partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library offering free books to children under six years old. We love how […]

Assistive Technology Assessment for Blind and Low Vision Students

A student raising their hand using a CCTV to see the board, the teacher is pointing at the student.

Assistive Technology (AT) Assessments are crucial for students who are blind or have low vision, as they help determine the most effective tools and strategies to support their learning and daily activities. As the person who best knows your child’s needs, you are a key part of the team that writes the Individualized Education Program […]