Wrapping It Up

2 children wearing sleep shades use white canes
to navigate a tactile trail
As Blindness Awareness month comes to a close, I wanted to highlight an elementary school that leveled up. After posting my previous blog last month sharing ideas about how to celebrate people who have visual impairments while also creating awareness, thoughts started flowing through a particular elementary school in Georgia! (I remain vague for confidentiality) The paraprofessional who works with my student wanted to put together a day honoring and building awareness for our student and others who have visual impairments. It takes many hands to put together an entire day of activities and she was an incredible orchestrator! Here is an overview of the day: White Cane Safety Day
  • The art teacher designed a t-shirt which were sold to the staff to wear 
  • A gentleman from the community brought his guide dog and spoke with the class
  • The PE coach set up bouncy houses, tactile trail, and played games
    • students were given sleep shades and canes to walk on the tactile trail
    • students wearing sleep shades paired up with a buddy and went through the bouncy house obstacle course
    • Cobra Ball was played (instructions coming soon)
Children sitting on the floor in a circle playing Cobra Ball
while wearing sleepshades
  • A video was developed with the student and his peers to answer burning questions about blindness and shared with the teachers to show in class
  • The student's parents participated in the day

T-shirt design: drawing of little boy walking with white cane
encircled by "Elementary School White Cane Day 2017"

Since we celebrated White Cane Safety Day, the changes noted around the school have been incredible! Interactions with my student have been more appropriate (staff & students) and older students are curious in how he learns. We might have several future VI professionals in training!! The opportunities for positive conversations around blindness and success have increased significantly. Due to the positive outcome, thoughts and ideas are already flowing for next year!



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