CAPVI
The California Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (CAPVI) is a non-profit organization of, by, and for parents committed to providing support to the parents of children who have visual impairments.
"Parents must regard themselves as the long-lasting resource and the only consistent persons who continually have the child's interest at heart throughout their lifetime."
- Lee Robinson, Founding Member of National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI).
About
CAPVI is dedicated to providing information and opportunities to connect to parents of children with visual impairments with each other as well as the professional resources that are available to help in the education and raising of their children.
CAPVI aims to:
- Provide emotional support to families of children with visual impairments.
- Provide opportunities for families to network with each other and establish community.
- Provide opportunities for parents and professionals to network.
- Advocate for educational needs of children who are blind or have low vision.
- Increase public awareness about children with visual impairments so communities will be more accepting and accessible
CAPVI hopes to achieve its aims through workshops, emails, and connection points which will help parents meet the special needs of their children with visual impairments.
Ways to Get Involved
Membership
If you want to join CAPVI, email your name, name of your child(ren) and their ages plus diagnosis to: Co-Chair, Anne Ward at inland2wards@gmail.com.
We are a California nonprofit corporation, C1607838. If you have any questions regarding membership please contact current Northern Co-Chair, Anne Ward at inland2wards@gmail.com.
Donations are always welcomed, please reference below for how to donate.
Monthly Zoom Meetings
In collaboration with the California School for the Blind Education Resource Center, CAPVI is hosting monthly Zoom meetings aimed at connecting parents and sharing new information and resources.
Meetings are currently planned for the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00PM - 8:00PM on Zoom.
The goal is to create an environment where parents and guardians feel comfortable discussing their own needs and concerns while simultaneously feeling welcome to share information and successes with others. We hope that this space will encourage parents to discover information that will promote improvement in the education of their children as well as to progress personally themselves and for their families.
Each informational element and presentation will be recorded and shared via the California School for the Blind YouTube CAPVI playlist
page and presented on the CAPVI webpage on the CSB website. Discussions amongst participants that contain confidential or sensitive information will not be included in the recording. We hope that this will provide learning opportunities for people who are unable to participate in the live session while preserving participants' comfort in discussing openly.
Teachers and other professionals are invited to attend the presentation following the Parent Connection.
Upcoming Meetings
Registration for the following Zoom Meetings
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:00PM
- Parent Connection: Family Discussion Forum
- An open parent meeting to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, share updates, and connect with other families and staff.
- Parent Connection: Family Discussion Forum
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:00PM
- Parent Connection and Presentation: School Psychology Supports
- Join us for a Parent Connection meeting featuring a presentation from a school psychologist who works with blind and low vision students. The session will include information to support student learning and emotional well-being, including time for family questions and discussion.
- Join us for a Parent Connection meeting featuring a presentation from a school psychologist who works with blind and low vision students. The session will include information to support student learning and emotional well-being, including time for family questions and discussion.
- Parent Connection and Presentation: School Psychology Supports
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 7:00PM
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:00PM
- Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:00PM
Past Meetings
Watch past CAPVI presentation recordings on our CAPVI YouTube
playlist. Only presentation portions of meetings are recorded. Parent Connection discussion meetings are not recorded.
| Topic | Description | Recording and Handout |
|---|---|---|
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) (January 2026) |
Emily Seelenfreund, Executive Director of BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation, shared information about adaptive sports, fitness, recreation programs, and outdoor opportunities for children, youth, and adults with vision and mobility disabilities. | |
| Careers for the Blind (November 2025) | Presented by Richard Rueda, Assistant Director at the American Printing House for the Blind's ConnectCenter. This session explored career pathways, transition planning, and employment opportunities for blind and low vision individuals. | No Recording |
| CalABLE: Saving for the Future (September 2025) |
Anne Osborne, Director of CalABLE, introduced families to CalABLE accounts, explaining how individuals with disabilities can save and invest for their future while maintaining eligibility for public benefits. | For more information visit the CalABLE website
|
| California Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) (July 2025) |
Presented by Mike Marlin, Director of the California Northern Regional Braille and Talking Book Library. This session highlighted free library services, eligibility, enrollment, accessible formats, and youth programs available to blind and low vision readers across California. | CSB YouTube July 2025 Recording
(Video; 30:22) |
| Strengthening Voices: Advocacy for Blind and Low Vision Youth (May 2025) |
Presentation and Q&A with Carlton Anne Walker, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and parent advocate. This session focused on special education advocacy, accessibility, assistive technology, and empowering families to support their children's educational success. | CSB YouTube May 2025 Recording
(Video; 20:46) |
| Hands-On Success: Occupational Therapy Strategies (April 2025) | Kerry Bunger, Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT)-certified occupational therapist, shared practical occupational therapy strategies to support blind and low vision youth, with a focus on sensory integration, functional skills, and classroom participation. |
CSB YouTube April 2025 Recording
(Video; 13:35) |
| Orientation and Mobility (O&M) (March 2025) | Presented by Erica Hogle and Cyndi Davis, Short-Term Program Coordinators and Orientation & Mobility Specialists at CSB. This session explored the role of O&M in supporting safe, independent travel and access for blind and low vision students. | CSB YouTube March 2025 Recording
(Video; 20:25) |
Email List-Serve (CAPVI news Google Group)
CAPVI news is a Google group intended to keep you informed about opportunities and events offered by CAPVI and our partner organizations.
Visit the CAPVI news Google Group page
to access messages.
To join the Google Group and receive emails, please contact Anne Ward at inland2wards@gmail.com.
CAPVI on Facebook
Visit and join the CAPVI Facebook page
to connect with each other, and share information.
Annual Meeting at CTEBVI
Information regarding the CAPVI annual meeting at the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) annual conference will be provided in advance of the CTEBVI conference. Visit the CTEBVI web page for more information
.
Donate
Donations to CAPVI will be used to support families of students with visual impairments. The money donated in the recent years has been spent to support families to attend the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) annual conference.
If you would like to donate to CAPVI, please mail donation to:
CAPVI
414 West Mill St.
Ukiah, CA 95482
Contact
CAPVI Board
Anne Ward - inland2wards@gmail.com
Lisa Lloyd - gpstraveller@hotmail.com
Tiffany Buzzard - tboucher87@gmail.com
Gabi D. - gabitza.dob@gmail.com
Olivia Guerrero - og.advocates1@gmail.com
Adrian Amandi (Teacher Representative) - csb.sos@csb-cde.ca.gov
CAPVI is actively looking for new board members. Contact CAPVI at inland2wards@gmail.com to express interest.
Meet the CAPVI Board
Anne Ward is the mother of a 41 year old man, a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). On the CAPVI Board for longer than she can remember, her passionate desire is to help other parents of blind children work to provide the best future for their children, providing information that may not seem available. Being the parent of a child with disabilities can seem very isolating. Together we are stronger.
Lisa Lloyd is a parent of an adopted child with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) who proudly attends California School for the Blind. Lisa has 16 family members over five generations affected by inherited retinal degenerative disease, including herself. Passionate about youth finding their voice (whether legally blind, sighted, or somewhere in between) she works with individuals and organizations dedicated to uplifting teens. She holds degrees in psychology, counseling education, and adaptive PE - specializing with the blind and low vision population. Her family hosts international students from around the world.
Tiffany Buzzard is a mother of two children. Her daughter Brielle was born blind from Leber congenital Amaurosis. Tiffany was eager to learn alongside Brielle in an effort to learn how to best support her. In doing so, Tiffany has made valuable connections with educators in the field and other parents. Tiffany is a proud member of the American Printing House (APH) Family Connect Parent Advisory Board Committee. Tiffany has learned firsthand the importance of parent voice and advocating for her child. She is excited to be part of CAPVI and hopes to share her knowledge and support other parents in making connections and advocating for their children. No worthwhile change is accomplished alone.
Gabi D. is a mother of two children ages 9 and 11, both with Stargardt's. As the founder and chair of her local public school's first Inclusion and Special Education Committee, she is deeply passionate about fostering true inclusion and creating environments where every child can thrive. She serves as the Resource Chair for the Bay Area chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, where she connects individuals with vital organizations and resources in the region. Additionally, she is a Parent Mentor with Parents Helping Parents, guiding other families on their journeys through advocacy, support, and shared experience. She is excited to be part of CAPVI and create a supportive and empowering community for parents.
Olivia Guerrero is a parent of a child with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, an educator, and a lifelong learner. Olivia is deeply committed to advancing equity-minded practices that close gaps in educational attainment for students with diverse abilities. This work is not only her professional mission, but her life's passion. Olivia strives to empower families, especially those unfamiliar with the complexities of the educational system, to access resources, advocate effectively, and seek out meaningful support. In serving on the board, her goal is to cultivate a welcoming and knowledgeable network of parents and caregivers; one where families of children with visual impairments feel supported, seen, and equipped to advocate with confidence.
Adrian Amandi, a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) with over 25 years of experience, is passionate about supporting parents of blind and low vision children. He values CAPVI for the unique opportunity it provides families to connect, share, and learn in a space that offers unwavering support without pressure. Adrian is blessed with a current position that allows him to freely support and collaborate with families statewide to navigate their child's educational journey, fostering a community where parents feel empowered and encouraged in their advocacy efforts.
Events
- Summer Academies 2026
- Open House 2026
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Spring Art Show
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Learning Lab
- Short Courses 2025-2026
- General Tours (Google Form)
Please fill out the Google Form if you are interested in attending any of our General Tour days.
