Making the Holidays Bright for Children with Visual Impairment

The holiday season is upon us! This can be an exciting and busy time of year for everyone. For parents of children with visual impairment and other disabilities, it is also a time that requires a lot of extra planning. As you begin making your holiday plans, keep in mind that more does not always mean better. 

Here are a few tips to make the holiday season memorable:  

• Include your child when planning gatherings or activities. Talk about when, where, and who will be joining. 
  
• Schedule events and activities in advance to give yourself enough time to prepare. Plans may change and flexibility is key!  
  
• Be aware of your child’s comfort level with crowds, lights, sounds, and other sensory issues.  
  
• If you are hosting a gathering, encourage your child to help you prepare by assigning tasks such as setting the table, hanging guest’s coats, or offering food and drinks.  
  
• If you are planning to see a performance or visit a museum, call ahead to request accommodations such as preferred seating, wheelchair access, and audio guides.  
  
• Make crafts or decorations for your home. For a list of holiday craft ideas, visit WonderBaby.org 
  
• Create a tactile memory book using small trinkets from special events. For more information and instructions about creating a tactile book, check out Paths to Literacy’s Tactile Book Collection

During this time of year, many families also begin travelling to see friends and family. Changes in routines, especially in new and unfamiliar places, can be stressful for parents and children.  

Here are a few tips to help you travel with ease:  

• Book reservations in advance and ask about accommodations such as cribs and wheelchair accessibility if needed. 
  
• Describe the sequence of events according to your child’s level of understanding, to help prepare them for the transitions, changes, sounds, and other situations they could encounter. 
  
• Create a calendar to help your child understand when and where you are going. For more information about creating and using tactile schedules and calendars, visit Simply Special Ed website.
  
• Pack medications, snacks, books, games, devices, extra chargers, and comfort objects, such as plush toys. 
  
• Play an audio recording for your child of unique sounds of stations, trains, airplane engines, etc. that they may experience on the trip. 
  
• Most parks and entertainment venues (i.e. Disney World), have Disability Services departments that provide tactile or audio assistive materials. Be sure to reach out to those departments when planning your trip.