A low vision diagnosis for one’s child can raise many questions for a parent. In this article, we will cover several resources available to parents of children with low vision, specifically in Houston, TX. This article is not comprehensive and none of the resources, organizations, or websites are endorsed by this blog site, but is meant to supplement resources your pediatric ophthalmologist has recommended.
This is a distance-learning education system for blind or visually impaired individuals, age 14 and over, looking for Adult Continuing Education Programs, High School Programs, and Family Education Programs. The courses are tuition-free for those who are blind or visually impaired, and can take the courses in four formats: large print, Braille, audio, or online. Some courses include an “Independent Living Series”, “Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness”, “Human Eye”, and “Developing Your Technological Toolkit.” There are also many workshops under the categories of “Daily Living”, “Technology”, “Adjusting to Vision Loss”, “Braille”, “Recreation”, and “Working.”
Although your child may not be old enough to drive, or may not be able to drive, you might qualify for a handicap parking sticker or tag if you provide your child’s transportation. For Harris County specifically, the contact phone number is: 713-368-2000. The application can also be found online on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website or through your local County Tax Assessor’s office. Sections of the forms will need to be filled out by the vehicle owner, disabled patient, and physician
https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/disabled-parking-placards-plates
The Lighthouse of Houston is a service center that provides access to youth and adult programs, living centers for low-income disabled individuals, technology and employment training, and health services. Aimed at empowering low vision children and building social skills and self-confidence, there are Youth Day Camps each year during Spring Break and Summer Break, as well as monthly art classes, tandem bike rides, Easter egg hunts, holiday events, and Parents’ Night Out. They also offer a complimentary Behavioral Health Support Group for low-vision or blind people and their families/caregivers that meets virtually each week.
https://houstonlighthouse.org/
This is a Houston-based organization that offers a custom reading service and 24-hour radio programming for adults and children. Their service, Description for the Blind, provides audio descriptions of select live theater performances at locations like the Alley Theatre, Miller Outdoor Theater, AD Players, the Houston Ballet, and the Houston Livestock Show. After providing a copy of your ID to venue personnel, you will be able to listen to a reading of the Playbill and descriptions of visual aspects of the costumes, set, and stage movements. Sight Into Sound is also one of the only organizations in the country that provides free custom reading services at no cost.
See our other Blogs for more information and resources for you and your child: