First Graders at John Thomas Dye Learn About Vision Loss at PPV's Low Vision Day

First grader at John Thomas Dye School trying out a light box

Los Angeles, California – On April 28th, 2026, John Thomas Dye School first graders, their teachers and parent helpers welcomed staff and volunteers from Partners for Pediatric Vision for our 19th Annual Low Vision Awareness Experience. This interactive, hands-on day is part of the school’s disability awareness curriculum, and it gives young students the chance to learn about their vision and what children with impaired vision can do to adapt.

To have a sense of how children with a variety of visual conditions might experience the world, each first grader student was given a pair of glasses that simulated diagnoses including glaucoma, visual field restrictions, cataracts, tunnel vision and blind spots. Some glasses blurred central vision, others blocked visual fields on the right or left sides, others distorted vision to just a central spot, and some gave a cloudy opaque view. As students rotated through six activity stations, they wore their glasses to understand how vision loss affects everyday tasks—and more importantly, how children and adults adapt and thrive.

Each student was given a PPV Passport, stamped at every station they visited. At the end of the experience, they asked insightful questions and shared their impressions of the simulation.

The Six “Eye-Opening” Stations

On the Move Station – Here, students learned how to use a white mobility cane. Led by PPV Executive Director Dr. Diane Christian and MFT Janice Goldhaber, the first graders practiced sweeping the cane side-to-side to detect changes in surfaces and navigate the world safely.

Be My Guide, Guide Dog Station – Students met Pam and her guide dog, a white Lab named Kingdom. Alongside PPV’s Lead Child & Family Specialist Rosanna, the students

learned how guide dogs help with navigation, daily routines, and independence. Then they had the chance to greet and pet Kingdom who had been waiting patiently.

Cool Tools Station – At this station, Bilingual Child & Family Specialist Mackenzie introduced students to low vision devices like electronic and handheld magnifiers, a monocular telescope, a slant board, and light boxes. Trying these tools while wearing their simulation glasses helped the first graders understand how these assistive devices make reading print and learning easier for children with reduced vision.

Eye-Mazing Low Vision Exams Station – Dr. Alex de Castro, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmologist and PPV Board member explained all of the equipment and tests that are part of a pediatric eye exam. Dr. de Castro explained some of the different vision

diagnoses that our children experience and how they see differently.

Braille Abilities Station – Child & Family Vision Specialist Heather introduced the Braille alphabet and how young children prepare to learn Braille with fine motor and tactile activities. The students learned the Braille alphabet and decoded secret messages by matching the letters to spell words.

Giving Hearts Station – Volunteers Jane and Barry Gerber led this craft activity where students stuffed red soft felt hearts and wrote sweet messages. These handcrafted gifts will be given to PPV children during eye exams or in care packages—a perfect way for the first graders to spread kindness and connection.

More Than Just a Lesson—A Lasting Impact

Thanks to the generosity of the John Thomas Dye School, $1,500 was donated to a special fund for Partners for Pediatric Vision. This ongoing support helps provide glasses, low vision devices, and services to families who otherwise could not afford them. Every dollar keeps kids in sight.

Left to right: PPV's Rosanna, Volunteer Jane Gerber, PPV's Mackenzie, Tori, Volunteer Barry Gerber, Pediatric Ophthalmologist and PPV Board member Dr. Alex de Castro, M.D., PPV's Diane, Heather and Janice

We are so grateful to the John Thomas Dye School community for continuing this tradition of inclusion, empathy, and education. If you’d like to support this amazing work, please consider making a donation at: www.partnersforpediatricvision.org/donate

Together, we’re opening eyes, expanding hearts, and keeping kids in sight.