Curious about how to wrap a gift for a person with a visual impairment? Read on for some tips on how to make sure your little person feels included and encouraged during the gift-giving season!
CVI – Cortical Visual Impairment

For people with neurological-based visual impairment, like CVI, keep in mind that the holiday season can in general be overwhelming with new people, activities, sights, sounds, and even smells.
For kids in Phase I, sometimes just being able to look at the lights, such as on a Christmas tree or menorah, is a great place to start with visual skills. Think about keeping the wrapping simple (or maybe not even wrapping the gifts and keeping them, unwrapped, in a special basket). (Just a general public service announcement: CVI Phase I kids sometimes have trouble with new items, and so receiving lots of new toys at once might be overwhelming).
For kids with Phase II, think about simple wrapping paper with bright/glittery tactile bows, or use glittery solid color wrapping paper. If they are able to sort via color, think about using different color bows for different members of the family!
For kids with Phase III, think about using different wrapping paper for each person and having your child sort them (pattern recognition), or using a bubble-writing app to write names out (try this one).
LOW VISION

Kids with low vision often like using their vision to the greatest extent possible. Using different colors of solid-pattern wrapping paper to differentiate between family members can be a good strategy. Use thick black markers and enlarged print (think 1” or larger letters, depending on the child’s ability) on uncluttered tags.
You could also use simplified wrapping paper with extra-bright colored tags (such as neon post it notes). This also works for CVI Phase III kids!
If your child is also using braille, think about pairing the visual cue with a tactile cue, like a tactile sticker (if they are an emerging braille learner), a braille letter, or a braille tag.
Blind / Deafblind

For kids who rely on a sense of touch, tactile wrapping paper (like this) can be super fun.
Tactile stickers can be another fun way to make tagging gifts more inclusive. There are also companies that make braille tags.
You can also differentiate gift recipients with different widths of ribbon, different sizes/shapes/textures of tags, or using ornaments as tags. You can even use different types of tinsel – remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated!
Be sure to read our post, Gift Ideas For Kids With CVI