[blparent] New parent questions

[Hartle, Mary Jo]

Hi everyone,
    My husband and I are new to this listserv, but thought it might be a
great resource for us as parents-to-be.  some of you may know us, Jesse
and Mary Jo (Thorpe) Hartle.  We have been members of the NFB for
several years, but this is a whole new role for us as blind people.
Fortunately, because of the philosophy we've learned in the
organization, and great role models like some of you on this list, we
know we can be great parents even though we're blind.  But...there are a
few questions that are starting to pop into our minds as we prepare for
the arrival of LBH (Little Baby Hartle).  Any advice on the following
you can give us would be greatly appreciated.  
 
1. We've been looking at strollers and car seats and carriers (oh my)
and wondering which on the market are the best for a blind parent.  We
know we want a stroller that we can pull behind us easily and which will
allow the baby to face us rather than face out.  We also are looking for
something that can double as a carrier and car seat combo which is easy
to get on and off buses and trains and such.  Any of you have
recommendations for us? Brands?  Etc.? Another item we think would be
very helpful to us are those snuggly things so we can carry the baby in
front of us or on our back while using a cane.  Any recommendations of
good brands or styles for this?  
 
2.  We are considering getting a set of baby monitors.  We've not looked
too closely at these yet, but I'm anticipating there might be some
accessibility issues as it sounds like many of them have some kind of
visual display on them now for you to set the controls, etc.  any
suggestions on a good brand for these that are accessible, or can be
easily modified? 
 
3.  Are there any other great Braille-print book outlets besides
Seedlings, NBP, APH, Share Braille.org, and the Braille Institute we
should know about?  Any Other ways to get free or really inexpensive
print-Braille storybooks?  WE know too how to make our own, and are very
familiar with most of the mainstream Braille book sources, but want to
see if any of you have other less known ideas.  
 
4. Are there any accessible bottle thermometers out there, or do any of
you have other techniques for gauging the temperature of a bottle?  I
know this isn't quite a blindness issue, but if we use a thermometer, it
becomes one. :)Any thoughts?
 
5.  Any good books, websites, or other resources in general that you as
blind people have found helpful to you as a parent which we should know
about?  
 
Thanks so much and we look forward to any suggestions you can send our
way and to future postings on this list. 
 
Sincerely,
Mary Jo T. Hartle

 

Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle, MEd, NOMC

Director of Education 

Jernigan Institute 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 
200 East Wells Street 
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410)659-9314 ext. 2407
Email: mhartle at nfb.org 
Fax: (410) 659-5129
Visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/>