• The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind has about 1200 children registered as blind, deafblind or vision-impaired.
• Most of the children were born blind, deafblind or vision-impaired, but others lost their eyesight when they were older.
• Most children who are blind can see something. Maybe they can see light and dark, blurred outlines of objects or bold colours.
• Most children who are blind or vision-impaired attend their local early childhood centre or school with the other children in their neighbourhood.
• Children who are blind or vision-impaired enjoy reading like you but instead of using their eyes, some of them read with their fingers, listen to talking books or use computers that turn text into speech.
• If you can read braille you can read in the dark!
• Some blind, deafblind and vision-impaired children find it easier to see large print. They can make print bigger by using magnifiers, enlarging it on a photocopier or by using special equipment like a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).
• When you are blind, deafblind or vision-impaired you need to learn to use your senses of touch, smell, taste and hearing well.
• Children who are blind can learn to choose their own clothes and dress themselves. They learn which clothes are which by identifying the different fasteners, textures or tags that might be on each piece of clothing. Some may have braille labels on their coathangers to help them know which piece of clothing is which.
• Blind children enjoy games like all children. You can adapt games by sticking on braille, adding bright colours or different textures to cards or counters so that the child who is blind can join in.
• Not all children who are vision-impaired wear glasses.
• Many children who are blind, deafblind or vision-impaired learn to touch type. It's easier than trying to see their writing.
• Children who are blind, deafblind and vision-impaired need to do their regular schoolwork as well as learn other skills like Orientation and Mobility.
• One of the essential services the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind offers to promote and support independence is Orientation and Mobility. Orientation and Mobility is about learning where you are and how to move safely and confidently to where you want to go – maybe learning your way around school, how to get to the swimming pool, the library or the shop.
• Children who are blind can kayak, snow ski, and play most sports.

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