Parents’ Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of questions most frequently asked by parents of children with vision impairments.

Tips for parents: your baby and toddler

When your baby or toddler is first diagnosed with sight loss, you may find yourself only thinking of all of the things they will not be able to do. Long delays in diagnosis, difficulties in understanding medical terms and long separation due to hospitalisation can make this hard. However, your baby is like any other and their development may be promoted by using some of the hints and tips offered below.

Discovering the environment With your pre-school child

If your child has a vision impairment and is approaching the age for playschool or school, there are some practical ways in which you can assist them in developing their senses, helping them to gain independence.

Choosing toys for children with sight loss

All children are different and a toy that is a favourite of one child may not be suitable for another. Choose toys with textures, bright and contrasting colours, sounds and music.

Government benefits and allowances available to children with sight loss

If you are a parent or guardian of a child who is registered with NCBI, you can claim certain benefits and allowances from the Department of Social and Family affairs and Health Service Executive. Find our more about what you may claim on your child’s behalf.

DVD on Reading with Your Child

NCBI in collaboration with organisations working with people with vision impairment in France, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia were involved in a 3 year European funded Comenius Project, “EVEIL”, meaning “awakening” in French. The objective was to create a body of reflections and exchanges of good practice that will increase awareness of writing, language and concept development by young children with vision impairment.

Ireland and Germany teamed up to gather impressions from parents of children with sight loss about the positives and negatives they have experienced when reading with their children. The final result produced a 20 minute DVD focusing on concept development and supporting reading experiences for children with vision impairment.

Storybud

Storybud is a website that allows children to enjoy children’s stories in an accessible way. Stories are available in three accessible formats – text only, audio, and a combination of text and audios. Children and parents can download the stories to their computer and listen to them at their leisure. Stories are categorised by age, theme, continent and title. This website was produced by Paul Halligan, who is a father and has a vision impairment.