Thriving Blind Academy: Early Intervention Symposium

You’ve recently found out that your child is blind or visually impaired. Worry, fear and uncertainty are probably consuming your mind. Do any of these sound like your thoughts:

I have no idea what to do for my child.

What are some toys I should buy to play with my blind/visually impaired child?

I have no idea what services I should ask for in the early intervention program.

I don’t know anyone that is blind. What can I expect for my blind child?

This just feels too hard. Will it get easier?

Thriving Blind Academy presents this special event for you! Families like you that are raising blind or visually impaired children ages birth to five years have so many questions and concerns. We have gathered a few experts to answer those questions, calm your concerns, and make you smile!

In this symposium, you will learn how to guide your blind/visually impaired child to thrive from Thriving Blind, Texas School for the Blind/VI, Toy Like Me and Blind Early Services Tennessee!

If the timing of the event does not fit your schedule, register for the VIP upgrade and the recording of the entire session will be sent to you (as well as a signed copy of Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight)

About the Presenters:

Allison Clougherty is Co-Founder, Executive Director of Programs & Services, President of the Board of Blind Early Services Tennessee. Alison holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology, master’s degree in Education Policy and is currently a candidate for a second master’s degree in Education with certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). Alison has worked in the consulting, marketing, program management, and event planning fields. She has a young son who is completely blind and who serves as her inspiration for ensuring the best outcomes for other children and families like her own through the formation of BEST.

Karen Newell is Co-Founder of Toy Like Me and parent of a blind child. Toy Like Me is an arts and play not-for-profit organization starting playful conversations with children about diability. Toy Like Me celebrates the pwower of disability representation in toys to build self-esteem and grow open minds.

Mary Shore is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and currently the Professional Prep/Early Childhood O&M Consultant in the Outreach program at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Prior to her position at TSBVI, Mary provided services as an itinerant O&M Specialist in the Austin area. Mary has experience working with infants and toddlers, school aged children as well as adults.

Kristin Smedley is author of the best seling book Thriving Blind:Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight, TEDx Speaker, and creator of the Thriving Blind movement and Succeed Without Sight Summit. Kristin's two sons have a rare blindness, CRB1 LCA/RP, and are thriving in college thanks to access to the tools and resources needed to succeed without sight.