1. FamilyConnect A Web Site for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

2. Partnering for Parents American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)—a national nonprofit devoted to expanding possibilities for people with vision lossAmerican Foundation for the Blind (AFB)—a national nonprofit devoted to expanding possibilities for people with vision loss National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)—an international membership organization serving families in the US and in 55 countriesNational Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)—an international membership organization serving families in the US and in 55 countries

3. Shared Goals Inspire hope and allay fearsInspire hope and allay fears Reduce isolation by networking parents with other parentsReduce isolation by networking parents with other parents Raise parents’ expectations for their childRaise parents’ expectations for their child Connect parents with professional support and servicesConnect parents with professional support and services Encourage/support parent advocacy at the national and local levelEncourage/support parent advocacy at the national and local level

4. A meeting place to talk with other parents who share their concerns “W hat a relief to know you’re not alone.” “I feel like I could be a resource for other parents.” What Parents Want

5. Emotional support and encouragement to help them copeEmotional support and encouragement to help them cope “I felt like my whole world fell apart.” “I thought it was my fault that my baby was blind.”

7. What Parents Want A central resource with reliable, comprehensive informationA central resource with reliable, comprehensive information “There is a lot of information on the web, but it’s scattered and you don’t know what you can trust.”

8. What Parents Want Customized information based on their child’s age and eye conditionCustomized information based on their child’s age and eye condition Information about targeted events and content sent to them proactively via email and newslettersInformation about targeted events and content sent to them proactively via email and newsletters “There are so many websites out there…You spend so much time sorting through it all.”

9. What FamilyConnect Offers Community support and connection to other parents –Parent perspectives and family stories –Inspirational video profiles of parents and children –Message boards, forums, blog moderated by NAPVI

10. What FamilyConnect Offers Reliable, comprehensive information in one central resourceReliable, comprehensive information in one central resource –Expert advice on raising a child with vision impairment, organized by age –Community spaces centered around specific eye conditions –Searchable database of 800 agencies providing services/activities for parents and children

11. What FamilyConnect Offers Customized contentCustomized content Email alerts and newsletters sent based on –Child’s age –Child’s eye condition –Parents’ interests –Family’s location

12. FamilyConnect Members Parents who join FamilyConnect can: –Receive customized email alerts and newsletters –Post and respond to message boards –Contribute personal stories and parent perspectives for publication

13. FamilyConnect Vision A lifelong support system for parents of children with visual impairmentsA lifelong support system for parents of children with visual impairments Dynamic social network with content created by parentsDynamic social network with content created by parents Expert, customized informationExpert, customized information

14. FamilyConnect Vision Direct connections to local and state services, activities, and eventsDirect connections to local and state services, activities, and events A pathway to adult lifeline areas on afb.org (CareerConnect®, Living with Vision Loss, AccessWorld®) and other web resourcesA pathway to adult lifeline areas on afb.org (CareerConnect®, Living with Vision Loss, AccessWorld®) and other web resources

15. FamilyConnect Families are connecting with each other from across the USA and indeed the globeFamilies are connecting with each other from across the USA and indeed the globe Currently use Message BoardsCurrently use Message Boards Directory of AgenciesDirectory of Agencies Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events Coming soon—Social NetworkingComing soon—Social Networking

18. Current Message Boards After the Diagnosis -After the Diagnosis - Leber's Congenital Amaurosis ForumLeber's Congenital Amaurosis Forum Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Forum (also known as Septo-Optic Dysplasia and De Morsier's Syndrome)Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Forum (also known as Septo-Optic Dysplasia and De Morsier's Syndrome) Glaucoma ForumGlaucoma Forum Deaf-Blindness ForumDeaf-Blindness Forum Achromatopsia ForumAchromatopsia Forum Anophthalmia ForumAnophthalmia Forum Aniridia ForumAniridia Forum Autism Spectrum Disorders ForumAutism Spectrum Disorders Forum Norrie Disease ForumNorrie Disease Forum Uveitis ForumUveitis Forum Juvenile Retinoschisis Forum Cataracts Forum Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) ForumJuvenile Retinoschisis Forum Cataracts Forum Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) Forum Hot Topics ForumHot Topics Forum CorticalVisual Impairment ForumCorticalVisual Impairment Forum Parents of Infants and Toddlers Forum Parents of Preschoolers Forum Parents of Grade Schoolers Forum Parents of Teenagers Forum Education Forum Technology Forum Albinism Forum Coloboma Forum De Morsier's Syndrome Forum Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Forum Low Vision Forum Macular Degeneration Forum Marfan Syndrome Forum Microphthalmia Forum Nystagmus Forum Optic Nerve Atrophy Forum Retinitis Pigmentosa Forum. Retinoblastoma Forum Stargardt's Disease Forum

24. Users and Agencies 1.Registered users may receive customizable email alerts—postings, events 2.Professionals and Friends are welcome 3.Agencies are urged to keep their directory profile up to date so families can find them 4.Use the calendar of events as a free marketing and outreach tool and get your message out on the email alerts 5.AFB will help you to maximize your use of the FamilyConnect site

25. Social Networking Families will be able to find each other by: 1.based on eye condition 2.based on location 3.based on age 4.Future may bring even more options

26. Families Profiles will Include location and contact informationInclude location and contact information Have a current status section that can be very short or very longHave a current status section that can be very short or very long Families can comment on the messages status of their friendsFamilies can comment on the messages status of their friends Be able to post picturesBe able to post pictures

27. Family Will 1.Have total control over what information is viewed and shared 2.Have total control over who can find them 3.Will be able to opt out 4.Receive email alerts when their friends have posted

28. American Foundation for the Blind Scott Truax Program Manager CareerConnectFamilyConnect struax@afb.net www.afb.org