AER Infant/Prek Winter Webinar January 25, 2023 The Science Behind Blind Toddlers Walking Well and Beyond Arm’s Reach before the Age of Two PART 1 PART 2 PART 3

Research Grace Ambrose-Zaken, Ed.D., COMS Publications Ambrose-Zaken, G., (2023) Beyond Hand’s Reach: Haptic Feedback is Essential to Toddlers with Visual Impairment Achieving Independent Walking. The Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (accepted). Ambrose-Zaken, G. V. (2022). A Study of Improving Independent Walking Outcomes in Children Aged Five and Younger who are Blind and Visually Impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 114(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X221121824 Ambrose-Zaken, G. (2021, March 25-27). Importance of Safe Mobility to Achieving Developmental Milestones: 2021 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference. US. Ambrose-Zaken, G.V. & Anderson, D. (2022). Teaching O&M to Learners with Cognitive Impairments and Vision Loss. In W. Wiener, B. Blasch, R. Wall-Emerson (Eds.), Foundations of Orientation and Mobility (4th Ed., Vol. 2. Chpt 19). Louisville, KY: APH. Ambrose-Zaken, G., Fallahrad, M., Bernstein, H., Wall Emerson, R. & Bikson, M. (2019). Wearable Cane and App System for Improving Mobility in Toddlers/Pre-schoolers With Visual Impairment. Frontiers in Education, 4, 01. Full Text Of 2019 Study Listen to our Podcasts A Study of Improving Independent Walking Outcomes in Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision Aged 5 Years and Younger Summary of article published in the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness: ​ This study examined independent walking in thirty-five children with blindness or mobility visual impairments (B/MVIs) aged fourteen to sixty-nine months. Before obtaining a Belt Cane, they had limited to no ability to walk independently with safety. Wearing the Pediatric Belt Cane provided them with consistent, haptic tactile feedback and safety from colliding with objects in the environment. Methods: Thirty-five participants with B/MVIs’ independent walking milestones were analyzed using pre- and post-video recordings provided weekly one month before and the three months after obtaining the B elt Cane. The B elt Cane consisted of a rectangular frame that connects to a custom-made belt with magnets. The Belt Cane provided no weight support. While none of the participants had motor impairments, 80 percent of them were receiving physical therapy services prior to obtaining a B elt C ane. Fifty-four percent were receiving orientation and mobility services, and half were equipped with hand-held mobility tools (e.g., long canes). Results: Visual impairment Twelve participants had optic nerve hypoplasia Septo optic dysplasia (35.3%), eleven had cortical visual impairment (29.4%). Three participants had retinopathy of prematurity. Two participants each presented with Norrie’s disease, microphthalmia with retina coloboma, Leber Congenital Amaurosis and traumatic brain injury. The cause of one participant’s congenital blindness was listed as unknown. Seventeen of the participants were blind (NLP) and eighteen were visually impaired, they responded to visual stimuli but the result of the severity of their visual impairment meant they were unable to visually avoid collisions, or MVI. ​ ​ Independent Walking Ability Before Belt Cane, the children spent 65% of their time sitting and standing with assistance and only 14% of their time solo walking. With the Belt Cane they spent 60% of their time solo walking and running and 18% solo standing. The Belt Cane caused a complete, positive change in these children. They changed from passive, quiet, idle babies, to engaged, active little kids. Both post-evaluations agreed that the children with MVI/B demonstrated significantly improved independent motor skills due to wearing the pediatric Belt Cane. Pediatric Belt Cane skills and motor outcomes There were instances where adults chose to limit the amount of time their children walked with the Belt Cane. For example, they would provide the Belt Cane during a particular therapy or for just a few minutes a day. Children under the age of five are entirely dependent on adults to outfit them with what they need to participate in their day. This study has shown that blind children can succeed in walking independently when adults provide them with the white canes they need for safe mobility. research report

Get a Belt Cane THE MEDICALLY NECESSARY MOBILITY TOOL FOR INFANTS WITH A MOBILITY VISUAL IMPAIRMENT OR BLINDNESS Direct Belt Cane Purchases Order by 1pm ET and our Pediatric Belt Cane ships same day! ​ *Pediatric Belt Cane costs are currently being sold at a subsidized rate Buy Now Fully Funded Belt Canes Parents receive a Belt Cane ($600 value) for their participation in one or more of our research projects . Click for details! Learn More Medicaid Belt Cane Coverage The Pediatric Belt Cane is a medical necessity for children with a MVI/B to walk. Equipment Suppliers (get a 10% discount) Learn More Agency Belt Cane Purchase Safe Toddles, sole source of Belt Canes, accepts purchase orders and completes paperwork needed by your organization. Learn More Purchase a Belt Cane Purchase Order by 1PM Pediatric Belt Cane ships same day! First-time Belt Cane user? Please fill out an intake form (here) and we will contact you for Belt Cane size support. The fit of the Pediatric Belt Cane needs to be snug around the waist like a belt, and reach out two-steps ahead of the child with a mobility visual impairment or blindness for detection and protection. First Time Purchase Form Already know your size? (Here is a reminder of how to measure ) Shop at our store: New Arrival Quick View Measuring Set Price $2,474.40 Most Popular Quick View Complete Pediatric Belt Cane (one belt and two frames) Price $288.67 Quick View Standard Pediatric Belt Cane (one belt and one frame) Price $206.28 Quick View Belt Only Price $123.89 Quick View Standard Belt Cane Frame Price $93.00 Quick View Specialty Belt Cane Frame (tight spaces) Price $113.59 Shop Research Signup Research Project Opportunities We are dedicated to removing barriers to Belt C anes for as many children as possible. Ask us how to receive a fully funded Belt Cane at no cost to your family. 845-244-6600 info@safetoddles.org Safe Toddles Research Project ​ Pediatric Belt Canes in exchange for video diaries ​ Safe Toddles seeks families and professionals to join our video library. We have the largest library of children with a MVI/B demonstrating walking before and after being introduced to a Be lt Cane. This assists us in our research to improve everyone's experiences with the Pediatric Belt Cane. We are documenting the outcomes and experiences of consistent and inconsistent safety. We are giving voice to voiceless infants who refuse to walk unprotected into the danger of the unknown. Belt Canes provide them detection and protection. The abilities of infants with a mobility visual impairment or blindness (MVI/B) will be understood once we provide them with consistently safe mobility most of the day. We design white cane solutions that make sure people have the most effective safe mobility tools humans can devise. Everyone using a Pediatric Belt Cane is encouraged to consider participating by submitting Belt Cane video diaries to us - future families can learn and benefit from your Belt Cane journey. Get a Belt Cane with the Safe Toddles Research Project Smart Belt (Soterix) Study ​ Receive One Belt Cane ($200 value) plus $100 to test our new Smart Belt with a Soterix Motion logging device. ​ ​ Funded by the US Department of Education, the project tests our new Smart Belt, which tracks motion. C hild ren 14-56 months old with a mobility visual impairment or blindness will receive one Standard Belt Cane set at no cost and $100 by participating. ​ How to sign up: ​ New to the Belt Ca ne? Caregivers of children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness (ages 14-59 months) can sign up using this form: Smart Belt Project Sign-up for New Belt Cane Users Caregivers of current Belt Cane users (ages 12-59 months) are also encouraged to join the study. Call 845-244-6600 or email us info@safetoddles.org to request a letter of consent. ​ ​ Agency testing sites (additional option not required) Financial compensation will be provided to the facility and the parents who participate in a one-day data collection event at your agency. Call 845-244-6600 or email us info@safetoddles.org to inquire. To be selected as a site, we need at least 5-10 children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness (ages 14-59 months who will have worn Belt Canes for one month). For this event, we will need access to space at your facility that offers unobstructed walking (e.g., gym, hallway). In addition to agency compensation, each individual tester (child wearing a smart belt) will be compensated $100 Medical Necessity Belt Canes are a Medical Necessity Children's hospitals, residential schools, agencies, school districts and individual therapists bill Medicaid insurance to cover the Pediatric Belt Cane because it is a medical necessity for learners with a MVI/B to walk. Individuals submit their paperwork through local durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers (e.g., National Seating and Mobility). How to submit letters of medical necessity to durable medical equipment suppliers, Step 1. Measure the child for the Belt Cane and send the size and letter of medical necessity (LMN) to your assistive technology professional (ATP) at your local DME. Find an example of that letter using the button below. Step 2: The DME company sends the order to their doctor to sign off on and then sends that and the LMN to a state Medicaid reviewer for approval. Use the E1399, miscellaneous code. ​ Step 3: Once the DME company receives an approval letter from Medicaid that they would pay for the belt cane, the DME company orders the belt cane. They submit the order for reimbursement on their end. Step 4: The Belt Cane gets delivered to the DME company, and then they call the patient for delivery. Sample Letter of Medical Necessity MD Letter of Endorsement Schools Schools and Agencies Pediatric Belt Cane Purchase Safe Toddles is the sole source for Pediatric Belt Canes. We accept purchase orders and will provide a price quote or any other paperwork needed by your school or agency before purchase of a Pediatric Belt Cane. Please click on the button below to begin the process of obtaining Pediatric Belt Canes for your students with a mobility visual impairment or blindness. School/Agency Purchase * if your organization has at least 5-10 children with a mobility visual impairment or blindness (ages 14-59 months), we are interested in conducting a one-day data collection event for our Smart Belt Study at your agency. Financial compensation will be provided to the facility and the parents who participate. For this event, we will need access to space at your facility that offers unobstructed walking (e.g., gym, hallway).

Fri, Dec 16 How-To Belt Cane / Zoom Multiple Dates Details Dec 16, 2022, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST Zoom Thu, Nov 17 How-To Belt Cane / Zoom Multiple Dates Details Nov 17, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Zoom Thu, Oct 27 How-To Belt Cane / Zoom Multiple Dates Details Oct 27, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Zoom Wed, Oct 12 Smart Belt Cane Project Q&A Soterix and Wayfinder / https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8600351530 Details Oct 12, 2022, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PDT https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8600351530 You are invited to learn more about obtaining a free pediatric belt cane and supportive curriculum for children who are blind or mobility visually impaired. Thu, Sep 29 How-To Belt Cane / Zoom Multiple Dates Details Sep 29, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Zoom Thu, Aug 25 How-To Belt Cane / Zoom Multiple Dates Details Aug 25, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Zoom Thu, Jul 14 How To - Belt Cane / https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8600351530 Details Jul 14, 2022, 4:00 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8600351530 Thu, May 26 Introductory Webinar for Pediatric Belt Cane Users / Zoom Details May 26, 2022, 4:00 PM Zoom Thu, Jan 25 International Orientation and Mobility Online Symposium / Location TBD Details Jan 25, 2018, 9:00 AM – Jan 26, 2018, 6:00 PM Location TBD Help your students become more independent. Learn some of the most innovative and impactful Orientation and Mobility teaching strategies from O&M Specialists worldwide!

Our Journey in Photos

Schools and Agency Professionals Safe Toddles' Pediatric Belt Canes Pediatric belt canes consist of a set of one belt and two cane frames (an everyday frame and a tight spaces frame). Each belt cane set is custom made to fit the dimensions and needs of each child. Production and materials cane set costs equal $625. Recent donations have enabled us to offset these costs for a limited number of canes to a reduced price of $180 per cane set for professionals . 1. To purchase - $180* per cane set - cane ships approx three to five weeks. *Limited quantity of reduced cost cane sets available Submit Purchase In-take form Free Canes - We are committed providing free canes to any child in need, because belt canes are essential safety equipment that enables toddlers with visual impairments to develop to their full potential. Option one- provide videos and feedback - free cane ships in two to three months. ​ Option two- free cane - free cane ships in four to six months. ​ To complete order submit shipping Information and child's measurements : ​ Height : Floor to shoulder size range is 20" to 36". Hip width : (hip to hip) size range is 6" to 9" (The hip to hip measurement is obtained using a ruler (not a measuring tape ). Waist size : Waist circumference -size range is 17" to 25".​​​ Easy steps ​1. Identify students who would benefit from wearing belt canes using the nonverbal mobility visual impairment assessment. 2. Measure students: Hip width, waist circumference and height to shoulder. 3. To purchase the belt cane use the yellow Buy Now button or request a price quote. A cane set includes a belt and two frames (daily/tight spaces). The daily frame is the standard cane length for the height of the child. ​ The tip design is durable and slides over most surfaces. The tight spaces frame is 90% of the length of the daily cane. The design of the cane reduces the incidence of catching on furniture.

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How to Put on the Belt Cane close belt fastner Place the belt around the child's hips until the re-closable fasteners are opposite each other. Tightly pinch the ends together and continue to press all touching areas together to make a strong seal. How to close the belt for proper fit? ​ At proper fit, the squares of mushroom head re-closable fastener patches connect half way. There is room to cinch belt half an inch wider or half an inch tighter. How to attach the belt to cane frame Method 1: Connect the belt and cane frame by clicking the magnets in place. Put the belt around the child at the hip level and push the mushroom head fastener squares together. Method 2: First put the belt around the child at hip level and push the mushroom head fastener squares together. Then connect the belt and cane frame by clicking the magnets in place. attach belt to cane Standard vs. Specialty Frame The complete Pediatric Belt Cane Set includes two frames and one belt. The standard cane frame (left) provides a two-step preview of the path ahead. The standard cane frame is intended to be worn most of the time. The specialty frame (right) is 10% shorter and the base is shaped to prevent catching on furniture. This tight spaces cane frame is intended to be worn inside areas without stairs. two frames change frames Example of changing specialty frame to daily frame Standard frame is perfect for school use

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Sustaining Members Help blind toddlers walk effortlessly, independently, and safely. Become a Sustainer today by donating with the form below! Your support sustains Safe Toddles’ general operating fund and ensures that belt canes are available for all those in need. How your donation will make a difference in the lives of blind toddlers: A monthly donation of $19 ensures a child grows up with Safe Toddles Belt Canes. A donation of $50 subsidizes the cost of Belt Cane materials. A donation of $100 provides a complete set of Belt Cane rods. A donation of $200 is the cost of a standard Safe Toddles Belt Cane. More significant donations can provide Safe Toddles’ belt canes to even more toddlers in need. Your generous gift of any amount will forever enrich the life of a toddler who is blind – your donation will help them start traveling safely down the path of life! Donor Privac y Policy ​ Our Commitment to Our Donors We will not sell, share or trade our d onors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by Safe Toddles, both online and offline, on any Platform ("Platform", includes the Safe Toddles website and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.

Anchor 1 How to Begin Using the Pediatric Belt Cane Lessons learned introducing Belt Canes to a two-year-old a. Have confidence b. Have a plan c. Keep trying, they will get it! Goal: Wear the Belt Cane all day, every day. For children who are blind or visually impaired the Pediatric Belt Cane is essential. The child puts on the Belt Cane in the morning and wears it till bedtime. Charna is blind. Wearing her cane she locates a toy. Adults provide Belt Canes to children as young as 11 months. Adults use the Belt Cane to help their blind children stand on their own and when holding their hands to practice walking. ​ Young children sometimes cry when introduced to new things. Adults can help them accept positive new things. Pediatric Belt Cane Curriculum Lesson on Introducing the Belt Cane . Charna's cane pushes the toy under the chair. Be confident in your choice to provide the belt cane to your child. ​ Adults know what is best to keep children safe. The belt cane is a safety device as it prevents bodily harm. Charna tries to reach the toy, it rolls further under the chair. 1 Make putting on the belt cane about what's next "we're going to go find your favorite toy. It helps to be very specific, name the toy, the room, the location and the specific activity." Examples Come here to me Let's go to the toy shelf and get the puzzle Let's go get ice cream in the kitchen freezer Charna locates the toy with her foot. Ideas for Beginning with the Belt Cane 2 When you first put the belt cane on the child, you just add the Belt Cane to current activities. You can continue to guide the child. The child can just stand still. When walking your child can continue to hold hands at high guard, holding the cane frame Charna is able to reach the toy with her hand. 3 Show child the benefit of wearing the Belt Cane. Tap the cane frame. Help the child find and bump into things with it, bang it against walls, find people, toys, carpet, floors anything. 4 ​ Provide rewards through fun and action. Charna gets the toy herself. 5 This age group responds well to distraction. Distract the child with toys and activities. When the frame of the Belt Cane locates objects say, "Hey, let's see what you found." Name the object, help the child touch it. Charna explores the big city.