Family Resource Group- Feb. 2026
Blind/Visually Impaired Edition
Warm Updates for the Winter Season
In this edition of the newsletter, we’re highlighting upcoming events and ways you can stay involved in your child's journey. Your partnership and support make a meaningful difference every day — thank you for being an essential part of our educational community.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me at any time. We also ask you to provide feedback by completing the survey at the end of the newsletter.
Teachers, therapists and school staff who work with your child are invited to subscribe to receive a copy of this newsletter as well. Education staff may visit the registration page to sign up. Please pass this information on to the professionals who support your child.
Tess Nasehi
Family Resource Group BVI Editor
This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organization or product that may appear.
Winter Camp Abilities Delaware
Camp Abilities Delaware is an overnight educational sports camp for children ages 5-17 who are blind or have low vision. The camp introduces children to a variety of sports, including cross-country running, orienteering, swimming, and much more.
When: February 14-16, 2026
Where: University of Delaware's Virden Retreat Center in Lewes, DE
FAMILIES TO THE MAX
FAMILIES TO THE MAX is continuing to offer their Virtual Foundational Courses (opportunities for family members to learn new skills to support their children) and Virtual Villages (family members engaging in meaningful discussions to empower themselves and others).
Virtual Foundational Courses (each course offers options for two different dates to attend):
- "Maximizing Communication and Learning for Your Child": Wednesday 3/4 at 12:00pm or Thursday 3/5 at 7:00pm
- "Collaborating on School Teams in Ways that Make a Difference": Wednesday 4/1 at 12:00pm or Thursday 4/2 at 7:00pm
- "Leading Change": Wednesday 5/6 at 12:00pm or Thursday 5/7 at 7:00pm
Register for Foundational Courses
Virtual Villages:
- Saturdays 10:00-11:00pm (March 14, April 11, May 9)
The PEAL Center
The PEAL Center offers opportunities for families to learn new skills and knowledge to support a variety of needs, such as advocacy, leadership, networking and more. Some of their upcoming events include:
- "Charting the LifeCourse- Transitions": February 17 11:00 - 1:00pm and February 19 6:30 - 8:30pm
- Spring 2026 Philadelphia Family Leadership Institute: Fridays- March 13, April 10, May 8, 2026 9:00am - 2:00pm
- "Pathways to Adulting- Transition Coaching Pods" Youth Training Series: Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 6:00 - 7:00pm
- Click here to view additional events and learning opportunities
2025-2026 ECC Challenge
Students can participate in the Maryland School for the Blind's Monthly ECC Challenge for the 2025-26 School Year by doing activities for a chance to win prizes! Students may see other students' ECC experiences, discover they are not alone in their ECC journey.
Paths to Literacy shares helpful tips and ideas to get you started on this month's challenge!
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) offers many resources to learn more about the importance and ways of teaching career education to your child.
- FamilyConnect shares articles and resources on compensatory skills topics, such as calendars and compensatory skills.
- APH Access Academy also shares related videos on their YouTube channel on compensatory skills, such as early literacy, accessible media, abacus skills, and more.
- The Hive also offers an online course on compensatory skills for blind children.
Resources from Perkins
- "The best study tips for low vision students" by Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes
- "How I take notes during video lectures with low vision" by Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes
- "Compensatory Skills and the ECC" by Courtney Tabor-Abbott
Resources from Paths to Literacy
- "Compensatory Skills: A Focus on Organization" by Cheryl Kamei-Hannan
- "Foundational Skills for Reading" by Seanarae Smith
- "Overview of Auditory Strategies" by Charlotte Cushman
- "Braille Brain" by Cheryl Kamei-Hannan
National Federation of the Blind PA
The Pennsylvania chapter of NFB includes the
PA Council of the Blind
The Pennsylvania chapter of ACB is a peer network of people impacted by vision loss offering different resources and includes the American Council of Blind Students.
PA Association for the Blind (PAB)
PAB is a group of agencies serving the blind throughout Pennsylvania.
Visit PAB's website to find an agency in your area.
Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS)
assists Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
TSBVI Family Recharge Zone
serves as a virtual space for families to collaborate on the first Thursday of each month.
FamilyConnect from APH
offers online resources for families.
NUEVO: Charlando con Conchita
Estoy iniciando un grupo de apoyo mensual para padres hispanohablantes de estudiantes ciegos y con baja visión. Este será un lugar para hablar en español, hacer preguntas y construir una comunidad. Será el último martes de cada mes. Nuestra primera sesión será el 28 de enero a las 4:00pm EST. No es necesario registrarse. Enlace de Zoom aquí.
This is a support group for Spanish-speaking families of blind/low vision children.
NEW: Telesupport Group for Parents of Blind/Visually Impaired Children
Announcing a virtual support group for families of blind/visually impaired children in the Philadelphia region. This group, sponsored by Educating Communities for Parenting, connects every-other Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom. Families share resources, information, and encouragement with other families in the Philadelphia region. Contact Maria Ceferatti at mcef869@gmail.com or 610-212-5566
for more information.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
NLS provides a free braille and talking book library service. Follow the steps shown on the National Library Service website to enroll and receive:
- books and magazines, including bestsellers, biographies, fiction, how-to books, music scores and instructional materials
- in braille or audio formats
- instantly downloadable or mailed to your door for free
FAMILIES TO THE MAX: Statewide Network of Families
leads change by building awareness, empowering families, presuming competence, and fostering high expectations of students with disabilities.
PEAL Center
works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves.
HUNE
offers free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education. HUNE also offers an after-school and summer program.
Parent to Parent of PA
aims to connect and empower families by building a supportive community. Families can connect with others who have had similar journeys so that no parent feels alone.
PaTTAN Library
PaTTAN hosts a collection of publications, videos, podcasts, and websites to help families and educators better understand special education information. Listed below are a few popular resources, but you can also search PaTTAN's website and PaTTAN's YouTube channel to find more. Many of our publications are also available in other languages.
- Family's Quick Start Guide to Special Education Bundle
- Blind-Visual Impairment page
- Blind/Visual impairment publications
- Family Information
- Student-Led IEP Process
- IEP Information
This newsletter is not an endorsement of any organization or product that may appear.