As Americans of all ages gear up to celebrate Thanksgiving, some ideas and activities can help make the holiday accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Following are suggestions offered by and for individuals who are blind or have low vision:
Craft Ideas for Children
Paths to Literacy has provided updated ideas for craft activities:
– Thanksgiving Concept Box: Gathering seasonal materials and building a box can help children gain understanding of the holiday while developing skills related to tactile discrimination, identification of texture, functions of objects, and more. The box can be a shoebox or plastic container with a lid and labeled with braille, tactile symbols, print, pictures, and/or an object that can cue the child to what is within it and for discussion. It can be filled with five to ten items, such as dried corn on the cob, feathers, plates, or utensils.
– Thankful Turkey Jar: A jar can be decorated to resemble a pretend turkey, using dried leaves, construction paper, textured ribbon, and other tactile materials. It can then be filled with messages written in braille and/or print about what children and family members are thankful for this year. The messages can be attached to popsicle sticks.
– Braille Designs: Thanksgiving! Designing a pie and a turkey can be a fun activity for braille users. Various images can be created by following step-by-step instructions that can be downloaded.
For specific directions for the projects noted, click on the links above. Additional projects, with instructions, are available on the Paths to Literacy webpage featuring Thanksgiving Lessons and Ideas updated for 2024.
Making the Environment Accessible for Individuals with Visual Impairments
Wonder Baby offers tips specifically geared toward accessibility for families with children who are visually impaired, some of which can be applied to people of any age with vision loss. “Creating an accessible environment can help your child with visual impairments feel more comfortable and engaged in the Thanksgiving festivities.” Simple adjustments that can help in navigating the environment and in enhancing independence include:
– Adjusting the layout: Get rid of clutter, mark obstacles, and create a clear path for safe movement in the home where the holiday is being celebrated.
– Using tactile markers: Consider placing textured tape or another tactile marker to indicate surfaces or items that are commonly used.
– Describing the environment: Descriptive language can help to establish who is around, activities that are happening, where guests are sitting, and more.
For additional details and suggestions, visit the WonderBaby webpage with 5 Tips for a Peaceful Thanksgiving with Your Child with Disabilities.
More Thanksgiving Ideas for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Some additional suggestions for celebrations geared to the needs of guests who are blind or visually impaired are offered by Straptech, including:
– Using descriptive labels on holiday dishes and providing braille menus.
– Planning activities that are accessible, such as games with braille or tactile elements, music, and storytelling.
– Making sure that all decorations and signage are accessible, by using braille labels and tactile signage.
More information is available on Straptech’s webpage with Thanksgiving ideas for the blind and visually impaired.
Additional information on preparing for the celebration, cooking, and more can be found in previous articles in this Bulletin, Planning for the Thanksgiving Holiday Feast and Tips for an Enjoyable and Accessible Thanksgiving.
