Mother invents device to help hearing and visually impaired daughter

For children who have special vision needs, some computer programs or an iPad can be too visually complex. A mother noticed that her daughter who is blind was drawn to basic lights and she invented a learning tool that has had global impact.

Colors, numbers, patterns, important for every preschooler but for kids who have significantly impaired vision and hearing at Perkins School for the Blind, light can be the key to early learning. The school had been using a creative light board made of Christmas lights taped to a board until Catherine Rose saw it and thought that they can do better than that.

Catherine began working along with experienced Perkins teachers and LightAide, with its lights and bumps for teaching early braille – was born. It’s now sold worldwide.

The initial prototype features a grid of lights whose colors can be changed and sequenced by the teacher. A big, round switch makes it easy for a small palm to gleefully pound away on it as the child reacts to the lights. Therapists can use it to help them assess how much a child can see. Teachers can use it to help them learn new skills and behaviors. For example, sequencing the lights can help children with numbers and letters. Physical therapists can use it to help a child reach and stretch. LightAide gives parents and family a new way to keep a visually impaired child engaged and involved in everyday life.

The LightAide was designed with Alexis in mind, but it is now being used as a tool to help teach children with autism, cerebral palsy and behavioral issues as well.

Adapted from: https://cbsloc.al/1uToDPw

More info: http://www.lightaide.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEYkr8w-MQA