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Kids who are visually impaired use all kinds of clever ways to do the same things that you do every day.
They rely on their senses of hearing and touch, and often get around just fine.
Here are some cool things they might use to help with their vision impairment:
Many kids with little or no vision learn to read and write braille. Raised dots represent letters and numbers so that you can read and write by feeling with your fingers.
To produce braille, you can:
Kids who write braille can take notes as quickly as kids who write with ink.
You can use portable braille displays with computers. They do the same job as a computer monitor, except the person feels the braille dots instead of looking at a screen.
Braille keyboards allow you to write braille. They’re like the keyboard on your computer. The six keys on a Braille keyboard represent one of the six dots that Braille uses in each letter.
You can even write and read music in braille.
There are also many games you can play in braille, including card and board games.
Kids who have some usable sight can do a lot by using special tools.
To see computer and TV screens, they wear special glasses or hold magnifiers in their hand or put them on a desktop.
Some kids can read large-print books, but this may be tiring. Other large-print items — such as playing cards — are very easy to use and everyone can join in!
You’ve probably heard a computer or smart phone speaking, like a GPS device in a car. Kids who are visually impaired sometimes use computerized speech instead of reading print.
They might have a computer, smart phone, or tablet read the text to them when:
Just press a button to hear the time!
More talking technology is available, including portable scanners that can “read” a package in a store or a menu in a restaurant. Just scan and the device will announce what it's reading.
Holding a long, white cane in front of them helps a visually impaired person tell where they're going.
The cane:
Check out the article "10 Fascinating Facts About the White Cane."
People with visual impairment usually don't have a guide dog before age 16 or so.
Guide dogs go to a special school where they learn how to help people with vision impairment be more independent.
When you see a harness on a guide dog, that means the dog is working. Do not pet or talk to a guide dog who is working.
When the harness comes off, the dog is off-duty and free to play and accept your affection.
No matter whether the dog’s harness is on or off, never feed the dog. Guide dogs are not allowed people food.
It’s important to keep in mind that in most ways, kids who are visually impaired are just like any of your other friends. You’ll find things you both like to do, stories and games you both enjoy, and plenty of ways to laugh and have fun together. But if you want to make sure you don’t hurt your friend’s feelings, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Some kids with vision impairment are totally blind, meaning they have no usable sight. Most kids who are visually impaired are partially sighted or have low vision; which mean that they have some usable sight. Twelve out of 1,000 people under age 18 have vision impairments.
Some people are born with vision impairment, and some develop it because of an illness or an injury. Some lose their sight quickly, and others lose it more slowly. Getting used to a vision impairment can be hard, but with time, kids with vision impairment can learn how to do almost anything you can do.
Sure—using those words doesn’t mean that you’re being insensitive. People with visual impairment will use them, too. They may say they are happy to see you or tell you about a movie they watched.
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With MyCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
For questions about a hospital bill call:
To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.
Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.