Volume 35 Number 2 Special Issue: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
A magazine for parents and teachers of blind children published by
the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership
with the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
Deborah Kent Stein, Editor
ISSN-0883-3419
Copyright © 2016 American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
For more information
about blindness and children contact:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230 • (410) 659-9314
www.nfb.org/nopbc • [email protected] • [email protected]
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Unlocking the Impossible
by Deborah Kent Stein
FEATURE
On LEGO, the Pattern of Experience, and Building a Generation of Blind Scientists and Engineers
by Mark A. Riccobono
BEGINNINGS
You Are Never Too Young for STEM
by Marilyn Winograd and Lillian Rankel
Raised in Science: How Parents Can Bring up a Blind Scientist
by Geerat Vermeij
WAYS AND MEANS
The Making of a Blind Maker
by Joshua Miele
A Love Affair with LEGO
by Matthew Shifrin
High-Caliber Problem, Low-Tech Solution
by Cricket Bidleman, Dan Brown, and Mike Tomac
How I Got Access to My STEM Textbooks
by Cary Supalo
Science Is for Everyone
by Barbara R. Heard
CAREERS AND PASSIONS
Maximizing Return: How an Investment of Time in Your Blind Child Can Pay Dividends in the Financial Services Industry
by Kane Brolin
The Cutting Edge: Holding Our Own in the Age of Information
by Ameenah A. Ghoston
Business and Being Blind: One Man's Winning Combination
by Gary Wunder
My New Old Clock
by Frederick W. Noesner
PROGRAMS
National Center for Blind Youth in Science: Increasing Blind People's Informal STEM Learning Opportunities
by Natalie Shaheen
Instruments of the Future
by Caleb Hyndman
Helping Each Other, Helping Ourselves
by Kaylee Nielson
Building and Bonding
by Chris Matthews
REVIEW
DK Braille Books
Reviewed by Janna Harvey
NOPBC CONFERENCE 2016
Transitions: Where You Are and Where You Want to Go
by Kim Cunningham
Schedule at a Glance: Child Care at Convention
by Carla McQuillan
Schedule of Events for Adults, Children, and Youth
Complete Future Reflections Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
Complete DAISY Audio File (Zipped MP3 Version) Coming Soon!
Are you the parent of a blind or visually impaired child? Don’t know where to turn?
Founded in 1983, the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is a membership organization of parents, educators, and friends of blind children reaching out to give each other vital support, encouragement, and information. We have thousands of members in all fifty states plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
The NOPBC offers hope, encouragement, information, and resources for parents of blind or visually impaired children. NOPBC provides emotional support and a network of other families dealing with the same challenges you are facing. We also provide information, training, and resources to empower you to take an active role in guiding your child’s development and education. We can provide information on your child’s rights and on the laws and legislative issues that will enable you and your child to become strong and effective advocates.
Have you ever wondered what your blind or visually impaired child will be capable of when he or she grows up? The answer to that question is that blindness/visual impairment does not have to stop your child from doing anything he or she wants to do. We can connect you with other families and blind adults who can serve as positive mentors and role models. They can teach you the attitudes and techniques that will enable your child to become independent and to succeed in life.
What is different about the NOPBC?
Our status as a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential organization of blind people in the world, provides many benefits. Our members are well informed about the societal, legislative, and technological issues that affect blind people. We also enjoy the resources, support, and expertise of fifty thousand blind people who can serve as mentors and role models for us and our children. Finally, as our children grow up, they have the Federation to belong to.
No other organization for parents of blind/visually impaired children offers more programs, activities, and training to families, children, and youth. One of our most exciting activities is our annual conference. Every year since it was established, the NOPBC has conducted an annual conference for parents and teachers of blind children as part of the national convention of the NFB. The program has grown to include five exciting days of workshops, training sessions, activities for all family members, including sighted siblings, and countless opportunities to meet blind adults and other families and children from around the country.
What is the mission of the NOPBC?
The purpose of the NOPBC is to:
Most states have an NOPBC affiliate chapter. You can find your state chapter at <http://www.nopbc.org>. If your state does not have a chapter and you would like to start one, please contact us. We may be able to offer training and other assistance to start a state NOPBC chapter.
What are the programs, activities, publications, and resources of the NOPBC?
Contact Us:
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
[email protected]
<www.nopbc.org>