Future Reflections
A Magazine for Parents and Teachers of Blind Children published by
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership
with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
Volume 31 Number 1 Winter 2012
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
The BELL group has a chance to practice using their canes on grass.
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2012 American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
For more information
about blindness and children contact:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230 • (410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org/nopbc • [email protected] • [email protected]
Contents
Volume 31 Number 1 Winter 2012
FEATURE
Action Required: Are Your Kids
Using Technology in School? Listen
Now (MP3)
by Mark A. Riccobono
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Emerging Victorious: How the NFB Braille Reading
Pals Club Is Promoting a More Literate
Generation of Blind Children Listen
Now (MP3)
by Anna Cheadle Hughes and Emily Gibbs
Queen Kaleigh Listen
Now (MP3)
by Dr. Denise M. Robinson
Paintings to Touch Listen
Now (MP3)
by Doreen Franklin
PEOPLE SKILLS
Making Friends, Meeting Strangers Listen
Now (MP3)
by Barbara Pierce
MENTORING
"Use Your Hands, Mom! Use Your Hands!"Listen
Now (MP3)
by Barbara Cheadle
Avoiding the Ditches Listen
Now (MP3)
by Barbara Loos
INTERESTS AND PASSIONS
That Single Chance Listen
Now (MP3)
by Leslie Hamric
"Put Your Head Up and Smile!" Listen
Now (MP3)
by Aleeha Dudley
Working with My Hands:
From Paneling to Powder Horns Listen
Now (MP3)
by Frederic W. Noesner
RESEARCH
New Discoveries about the Developing Brain Listen
Now (MP3)
by Hilary Richardson
PROGRAMS
Introducing NFB Early Explorers Listen
Now (MP3)
by Meleah Jensen
Louder and Prouder: Two More
States Added to the BELL Choir! Listen
Now (MP3)
by Jackie Otwell and Natalie Shaheen
Driving Change: The 2011 NFB Youth Slam Listen
Now (MP3)
by Natalie Shaheen
For the Love of Reading: Seedlings
Braille Books for ChildrenListen
Now (MP3)
by Vicky Opie
NOPBC NEWS
Building a Parents' Chapter in AlaskaListen
Now (MP3)
by Pamela Gebert
Saturday School Isn't for Saturday AnymoreListen
Now (MP3)
by Peggy Chong
REVIEW
Out-of-Sight Science Experiments,
by Dr. Lillian A. Rankel and Marilyn WinogradListen
Now (MP3)
Reviewed by Alex Gamino
ANNOUNCEMENTS Listen Now (MP3)
ODDS AND ENDS Listen
Now (MP3)
Complete Braille Monitor Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version)
Subscription Information
Future Reflections is a magazine for parents and teachers of blind children. It is published quarterly by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. Future Reflections is available free of charge to subscriber addresses in the U.S. in regular print and audio formats and via email, or it can be read online on the NFB website. Canadian subscriptions are $35.00 per year, and other foreign subscriptions are $75.00 U.S. per year. Checks should be made payable to the National Federation of the Blind and sent to the NFB, Attention Future Reflections, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230.
For an email subscription to Future Reflections, visit <www.nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html> and follow the instructions.
To subscribe to Future Reflections in print or audio format, send an email to [email protected]. Put "Subscribe to FR" in the subject line and include your preferred medium in the body. Please include your address, whether you are the parent of a blind child, a teacher, or other subscriber. If you are a parent, include your child's name and birth date.
URL: <http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Future_Reflections.asp>
Why Join the NOPBC?
Are you the parent of a blind or visually impaired child? Don’t know where to turn?
Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children reaching out to give each other vital support, encouragement, and information. We have thousands of members in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
The NOPBC offers hope, encouragement, information, and resources for parents of blind or visually impaired children. NOPBC provides emotional support and a network of other families dealing with the same challenges you are facing. We also provide information, training, and resources to empower you to take an active role in guiding your child’s development and education. We can provide information on your child’s rights and on the laws and legislative issues that will enable you and your child to become strong and effective advocates.
Have you ever wondered what your blind or visually impaired child will be capable of when he or she grows up? The answer to that question is that blindness/visual impairment does not have to stop your child from doing anything he or she wants to do. We can connect you with other families and blind adults who can serve as positive mentors and role models. They can teach you the attitudes and techniques that will enable your child to become independent and to succeed in life.
What is different about the NOPBC?
Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the world, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the societal, legislative, and technological issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of fifty thousand blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for us and our children. Finally, as our children grow up, they have the Federation to belong to.
No other organization for parents of blind/visually impaired children offers more programs, activities, and training to families, children, and youth. One of our most exciting activities is our annual conference. Every year since it was established, the NOPBC has conducted an annual conference for parents and teachers of blind children as part of the national convention of the NFB. The program has grown to include five exciting days of workshops, training sessions, activities for all family members, including sighted siblings, and countless opportunities to meet blind adults and other families and children from around the country.
What is the mission of the NOPBC?
The purpose of the NOPBC is to:
• create a climate of opportunity for blind children in home and society.
• provide information and support to parents of blind children.
• facilitate the sharing of experience and concerns among parents of blind children.
• develop and expand resources available to parents and their children.
• help parents of blind children gain understanding and perspective through partnership and contact with blind adults.
• function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to achieve equality and opportunity for all blind persons.
Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at <www.nopbc.org>. If your state does not have a chapter and you would like to start one, please contact us. We may be able to offer training and other assistance to start a state NOPBC chapter.
What are the programs, activities, publications, and resources of the NOPBC?
• National and State Parent Seminars and Conferences
• Future Reflections Magazine
• NOPBC Web site
• Books and Videos
• Blindkid & Other Listservs
• Early Childhood Conferences
• Pop-Up IEP Web site
• Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest
• Slate Pals Pen Pal Program
• AAF Free Braille Books Program
• Share Braille Book Exchange
• Writing Contests
• Junior Science Academy
• Youth Slam High School Science Academy
• National Center for Blind Youth in Science Web site
• NFB-NEWSLINE® Newspaper Service
• Where the Blind Work Web site
• Free White Cane Program
• Blindness 411 Facebook Group for Teens
• NFB-LINK Mentoring Program
• Scholarship Program
• Straight Talk about Blindness Video Series
• Parent Leadership Program (PLP)
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
<www.nopbc.org>