self-advocacy Archives

Financial Literacy and Protection: Another Key to Independence

Posted on November 4, 2022 - 6:06 am by Amy Lynn Smith

Editor’s note: It is important to protect oneself from financial fraud/ abuse and learn financial literacy as an individual who is blind or low vision. Amy Lynn Smith shares Lisa Lloyd’s personal story of financial abuse as well as Lisa’s tips on financial independence as an individual who is low vision. Additionally, Amy Lynn Smith […]

Author of “Matilda’s Eye Patch” Shares Her (Personal) Inspiration for the Book

Posted on October 13, 2022 - 12:31 pm by Admin

young girl wearing pink eyeglasses and a colorful eyepatch sitting next to a cloth doll with an eye patch and "Matilda" embroidered

Editor’s note: When Aimie Strachan was told her daughter needed to wear an eye patch for thirty minutes per day, she began searching for a book to explain the process to her daughter. When she couldn’t find a book, she decided to write it herself. Aime Strachan shares her story. I’m Aimie, a wife, a […]

Share Your Insights and Concerns with the Office of Special Education Programs. We’re Listening!

Posted on October 12, 2022 - 12:20 am by Melisa Matthews

Formal headshots of Rebecca Sheffield and Eric Caruso

By Rebecca Sheffield and Eric Caruso As project officers in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), we work with grant-funded projects and centers across the United States to support the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. We both came to OSEP after working in the field of visual […]

What’s It Like to Get a Dog Guide? One Young Woman Shares Her Story

Posted on September 13, 2022 - 7:32 am by Amy Lynn Smith

A smiling young woman with short dark hair kneels next to a large black dog, hugging him.

A guide dog is more than man’s – or woman’s – best friend. For people who are blind or low vision, a guide dog is a loyal companion that makes navigating the world easier. Emily Nelson, a 17-year-old high school senior from Indiana, can’t wait to get her dog guide. She’s doing her best to […]

A Dad’s Perspective: Learning My Son Has Albinism

Posted on September 6, 2022 - 10:50 am by Amy Lynn Smith

Fair-Skinned boy sitting at a table and smiling

Editor’s note: September is Albinism Awareness Month. In effort to increase awareness of albinism and subsequent low vision in children, APH FamilyConnect shares a dad’s story of learning his young son has albinism. Benjamin was born in November 2017. He was fair-skinned and blonde and looked exactly like we thought he would. Both of his […]

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