Regional Family Activities
Regional activities within the community provide opportunities for children with visual impairments to interact with their world in settings not available in their home environment. Activities may take place at the neighborhood park, swimming pool, a vegetable garden, a fruit orchard, a farm, the zoo, or other location where the child can experience real objects in natural settings. These activities allow families to network, parents to learn additional strategies in working with their child, and the child to build new concepts to better understand their world.
Family Service Option: Up to 4 times per year (2 hour sessions)
Parent Education Seminars
Intensive educational classes are offered to parents on specific topics unique to vision impairment. The classes will be offered in local areas as well as at the USDB sites throughout the state. The topics will be decided as per the need but will cover such areas as: Introduction to Braille; Feeding Issues; Sensory Integration; Visual Motor; Eating Concerns; Tactile Defensiveness; Expanded Core Curriculum; Transition at Age Three; etc.
Family Service Option: Once a week for 4-6 weeks (60 minute sessions)
Parent to Parent Network/Support
Parents will have opportunities to be connected with both state and national family networking/support organizations. Networking/support opportunities will be provided through both formal and informal settings. Informal settings may be play dates, toddler/playgroups, family activities, etc. The more formalized organizations may be with Utah Parents of Blind Children, Family Connect, National Foundation for the Blind, and/or organizations specific for the child’s vision diagnosis, etc.
Family Service Option: Per Request
Blind/Visually Impaired Mentor
A blind/visually impaired mentor would be assigned to families requesting this service. Mentors may be adults or students of High School age. Mentors may share experiences, answer questions, provide parents with a view of future opportunities and independence. Blind/visually impaired mentors will assist families in networking with other families that share the same eye condition as their child as well as with other blind and visually impaired adults and/or students. Blind/visually impaired mentors could participate in home visits, play dates, toddler/playgroup classes, and at parent education seminars.
Family Service Option: Per request