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Who says a child can’t live a happy life, even with low or no vision? Not Tad and Lydia from Johnstown, CO. Just look at their son, Theo, who was born with dense bilateral cataracts. The cataracts were removed when he was six weeks old, but he still has nystagmus and other complications from a genetic syndrome.

They began working with their EI-TVI from A Shared Vision when Theo was four months old. “She taught us so much, not only about vision and strategies, but also she helped us process and cope with the big emotions we were feeling about Theo and his low vision,” explains Lydia. “She was also our biggest cheerleader through our struggles with contact lenses and made sure we felt no shame on the days Theo wore his glasses instead.”

As a toddler Theo is a curious and joyful little boy who loves the outdoors. The accessible playgrounds near them are very motivating as he learns to stand and walk independently. “He is so visually curious even with his low vision. We love to go to parks that have spinning toys or the screens with sand in them,” shared Lydia. Read about some of their favorite accessible playgrounds below!

The family bought a toddler carrier so they can take Theo on hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park with a free pass available to people with disabilities. “Theo reminds us to slow down and appreciate things every day because he likes to touch every tree we pass and explore what he sees,” said Lydia.



Theo’s early intervention team has grown to become like family to Tad and Lydia, but a new family is eager to meet him. When Theo turns three in August, he will start preschool in his local school district. Their EI-TVI explained the transition process and attended the pre-evaluation meetings with the family, giving them confidence in taking the next step.

Our Favorite Playgrounds

With warmer weather, families are getting outside and discovering accessible playgrounds. These playgrounds are designed for all ages and abilities. What makes them “accessible” is they’ve gone beyond ADA requirements to ensure that even people using wheelchairs can use the playground.

For children with low vision, many of these playgrounds feature accessible pathways with rubber surfacing and opportunities for sensory play like elevated sand tables, musical instruments, and fun activity panels.

Teachers from A Shared Vision sometimes meet their families at a playground near the family’s home to practice orientation & mobility or work on different strategies together.

Discover one of our favorite playgrounds from north to south along the Front Range:

• Aven’s Village Playground, Greeley
• Spring Canyon Community Park, Fort Collins
• Fairgrounds Park, Loveland
• Berthoud Town Park, Berthoud
• Stephen Day Park, Longmont
• Niwot Children’s Park, Niwot
• Sensory Trail, Boulder
• Sensory Playground at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, Northglenn
• Red-tailed Hawk Park, Aurora
• LuBird’s Light Playground, Stanley Marketplace, Aurora
• Possibilities Playground at Butterfield Crossing Park, Castle Rock

Smoothies are a healthy snack for children and adults. Their smooth texture is especially appealing to children with blindness or low vision because some are sensitive to new foods. Smoothies can be sucked with a straw or sipped from a cup. You can dab a little on your child’s tray so they can touch it, smell the fresh fruit, and lick their fingers afterwards. Try our sensory recipe for a rainbow smoothie HERE.

The Anschutz Family Foundation and the James Hynd Trust for the Blind have continued their investment in A Shared Vision with two recent awards totaling $45,000! We are so grateful for their support of our important mission to educate, inspire, and empower families to nurture the development of their very young children who are blind or or have low vision so that all children may discover their brightest future.

Our Early Intervention Teachers of the Visually Impaired touched many young lives in 2024. We reached 211 children and their families through 1,890 home visits – a 24% increase in children served and a 2% increase in visits from the year prior. Growth was strongest in rural areas, where we served 43% more children than in 2023.

Behind these numbers is the heart of our mission: a committed community of teachers who feel supported and empowered in their work with families. “What we’ve learned from our teacher will remain with our family for years to come,” shared one parent. Learn more in our 2024 Annual Impact Report HERE.