Happy September Explorers families and friends
Welcome back to the 2nd edition of the Explorers newsletter! It’s a great time to embrace new routines and make friends. This month I am focusing on creating more “meet and greet” events around the state with age-appropriate activities for infants, toddlers and kids. Let’s build this community this month!
Sara Logston, B13 Specialist Sara.Logston@dsb.wa.gov 564-444-7830
Parents and caregivers are the Foundation
Parents and guardians offer support and guidance daily. They are experts when it comes to their child and are a valuable asset to teachers and other support staff. Parents need community, support and resources to guide youth success.
- Check out parent connections monthly meetings run by the DSB Explorers program over Zoom. We are open to feedback and suggestions for guest speakers and topics relevant to your needs. Our topics have included adaptive sports, technology, daily living skills and IEP support so far.
- DSB has continuing services to support your child from birth through adulthood. Everyone is invited to get a first-hand account of DSB’s latest outcomes and news at the quarterly State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB). Click here for details about September’s meeting SRCB Quarterly Meeting | Department of Services for the Blind
Kids Learning Under Construction
- Look for community events that are inclusive and promote growth and connection. Hint there may be some ideas below
- Check out this article on Family Connect that talks about helping children explore the community. https://aphconnectcenter.org/familyconnect/ideas-for-home-community/adapting-your-home/provide-meaningful-community-experiences/
- Try a new sport with friends using adaptive equipment so everyone can participate. From NWABA - The Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, and the Sports Adaptations Library, is available year-round for all your PE and student needs for accessible physical education and physical activity. The Adapted Equipment Lending Library is available to borrow equipment at no cost for up to two months. We are continually expanding to include a larger inventory of some of the most popular equipment items! The full inventory can be found here. To request equipment please fill out the Microsoft Adapted Equipment Lending Form.
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Building Takes Time - Supporting anxious children in social situations
Here are some pointers.
- Use positive talk to promote your child’s positive self-talk. For example, “this will be such a great opportunity for you to make friends.”
- Label the emotions you observe in your child and provide an example of an action that can be taken to regulate such as, “it seems like you’re feeling anxious about the school picnic. Remember, you can always walk away and take a break when you need it.”
- Use play to introduce children to social expectations of new situations. For example, use dolls or action figures to act out meeting new people and initiating conversation.
- Remember that your child has limited access to nonverbal cues, but many blind or low vision children are extremely aware of voice tone and other sounds in the social environment. Build on their strengths by using this awareness to teach empathy and self-advocacy skills.
- When possible, orient your child to the environment of the event beforehand.
- Teach simple self-regulation skills like taking deep breaths or using a fidget in anxious moments to cope with anxious feelings.
It is important to expose children to social situations, as avoiding them when anxious may increase anxiety symptoms in the long run. If you find your child is having physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches, or if social interactions are causing avoidance or meltdowns, your child may benefit from mental health support.
Jess Cummings, LMHCA, Center for Family Development, Spokane, WA
Events & Activities for You & Your Child
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The DSB Explorers program is focused on providing experiences and activities for children ages 13 and under who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision and their families.
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
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Recurring Events
Parent Connections First Tuesday of each month. Monthly online meeting for parents. September topic: learn how your child can progress from Explorers to Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).
Parent Connections - Focus on CVI Third Wednesday of each month. A monthly online meeting for parents impacted by CVI.
Upcoming Events around the state
Confident & Proud! Seattle September 20 Self-defense, situational awareness, and self-advocacy for Explorers ages six – 13!
Meet the Explorers! Seattle September 20 In-person Meet & Greet to learn more about DSB’s Explorers Program and meet other families!
October
White Cane Safety Day Walk in Seattle October 11 Join DSB, families, TBLVLs other professionals, and other members of the Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Low Vision Community in a walk from the Space Needle to Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. This is a community event that is not run by DSB but we will have staff there to support families. Please contact Sara if you plan to attend this event so we can connect you with the DSB Explorers group and an Orientation and Mobility specialist.
Cane Quest PNW 2025 Parent Permission Form October 11 Cane Quest by Braille Institute is proudly hosted by: Richland School District. This is not a DSB run event. Contact : Linda McFall, TBLVL/COMS (509) 967- 6384 linda.mcfall@rsd.eduor Mandy Carpenter, TBLVL/COMS (509) 967-6597 amanda.carpenter@rsd.edu for more information.
Explorers Blind Tennis Training Camp October 17 - 19 Explorers and families are invited to discover and practice Blind Tennis at this USBTA recognized tennis training camp!
November
November 8 Abacus Bee
Mark your calendars so you don't miss this STEMulating day filled with fun for the whole family!
WSSB’s Outreach Access Services (OAS) Team in partnership with Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is excited to invite you to Washington's Regional Abacus Bee® (sponsored by APH) on November 8, 2025 in Spokane! Any student who is using an abacus or mental math is encouraged to join.
Regionals are open to students of all abilities, giving even emerging abacus users and those beginning to use mental math a chance to reach a personal best score. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for students who are blind or low vision and attend neighborhood schools to connect with peers.
The Washington Abacus Bee theme is Envision Yourself in STEM. Along with the math competitions, there will be exciting Day of Code activities for the competitors, siblings and their parents -including a session on Decoding the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and an afternoon activity for the whole family with ParaSports Spokane! Light refreshments and lunch will be provided. The day concludes with an awards ceremony with prizes for the top competitors.
Registration form
We want to provide you and your family with the resources and activities you need.
Share your ideas! We want to know what interests you and your child to provide you with activities and learning resources to support you and your family in your parenting journey.
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