For this new blog entry, I found something very interesting. The life of Keenan cole and some real life experiences, the idea came from one of my former student when they mentionned life experiences. Keenan Cole a young man aged of 17 years old who has been blind since birth tells us how he has lived up to now. It all started when he became active in the National Federation of the Blind, where he met some older men and women, role models, and gave him more confidence in his approach in life. One main idea he remembers was when he had a biology class and had a lab to do, the teacher told him he wouldn't be capable of doing it. He accepted her opinion but when he went back to the NFB told his peers about it, they all told him that he should have done the experiement and gave him tips. It made him feel great because he knew he had people to count on. This comitee which helps these blind people to share and help each other was founded in 1940. This organization was first made to "achieve greater security, opportunity and equality." The Federation now has over 50 000 members and this part of the article was made in 1986.lundi 9 mai 2011
Keenan Cole
For this new blog entry, I found something very interesting. The life of Keenan cole and some real life experiences, the idea came from one of my former student when they mentionned life experiences. Keenan Cole a young man aged of 17 years old who has been blind since birth tells us how he has lived up to now. It all started when he became active in the National Federation of the Blind, where he met some older men and women, role models, and gave him more confidence in his approach in life. One main idea he remembers was when he had a biology class and had a lab to do, the teacher told him he wouldn't be capable of doing it. He accepted her opinion but when he went back to the NFB told his peers about it, they all told him that he should have done the experiement and gave him tips. It made him feel great because he knew he had people to count on. This comitee which helps these blind people to share and help each other was founded in 1940. This organization was first made to "achieve greater security, opportunity and equality." The Federation now has over 50 000 members and this part of the article was made in 1986.
dimanche 8 mai 2011
Not a disease
Even today, in 2011, there are still many stereotypes and prejudices related to visual impairments. Indeed, the main psychological barrier is that people are mostly afraid of being in contact with these individuals because they do not want to catch their ''disease'' since many's fear is that the loss of vision is contagious, so they simply (sometime unconsciously) prefer to avoid any kind of human contact with them. Therefore, this obvious kind of exclusion had mainly gradually created a mino
rity group associated to the visual impairment. In addition, this lack of openness is still apparent even if there are many blind people who had accomplished great things, such as being employed, having books that have been published, raising children and playing music, such as George Shearing, one great jazz pianist who was blind from birth, who expressed an early musical aptitude by memorising songs that he heard on the radio and by reproducing them on the family's piano. In fact, many can accomplish wonderful things even if they cannot drive a car. Moreover, visually impaired ones use and develop much more their other senses than ordinary citizens, which can be perceived as a particular advantage on others. In addition, instead of judging people by their physical appearance, they see others with their heart which is unusual in today's society and may be seen as being remarkable. However, it is important to keep in mind that visually impaired ones also have feelings and dreams like the rest of the society.
rity group associated to the visual impairment. In addition, this lack of openness is still apparent even if there are many blind people who had accomplished great things, such as being employed, having books that have been published, raising children and playing music, such as George Shearing, one great jazz pianist who was blind from birth, who expressed an early musical aptitude by memorising songs that he heard on the radio and by reproducing them on the family's piano. In fact, many can accomplish wonderful things even if they cannot drive a car. Moreover, visually impaired ones use and develop much more their other senses than ordinary citizens, which can be perceived as a particular advantage on others. In addition, instead of judging people by their physical appearance, they see others with their heart which is unusual in today's society and may be seen as being remarkable. However, it is important to keep in mind that visually impaired ones also have feelings and dreams like the rest of the society. (Picture 1: http://www.couleurgeek.fr/efoto/grippe-masque.jpg)
Training center
I recently learned about the existence of an organisation founded in 1986, BLIND Incorporated, which is still mainly based on teaching blind people how to live a successful life as independent individuals. Indeed, BLIND, inc. helps severe visually impaired ones to deal with blindness and it acts as a training center where they become more aware of how to develop some skills and confidence in their everyday life. Most become more confident with learning how to read the Braille, with using a white cane, with learning how to manage their home and their schedule. Furthermore, there is a comprehensive program which lets blind students to integrate their theoretical knowledge (what they are learning in class) into everyone's everyday life. This leads to make them gaining experience and becoming more comfortable to deal with their blindness and the outside world. Indeed, the main objective is to make the students understand that their loss of vision does not have to become a barrier in their personal achievement towards a fullfilled life and to realize the level of their potential to accomplish alternative tasks that were initially associated to the requirement of sight. Moreover, on the BLIND, inc. web site, it is mentioned that even some members of the staff are blind who represents positive models to the students. In fact, the whole tutoring session is mainly done in order to help blind ones to gain self-assurance, independence, and then, an employment. On this web site, it is also declared that a recent study has estimated that 84% of the graduated obtain a job within a year of graduation. which clearly shows a certain progress in their work in eliminating the 70% unemployment of BLIND, inc. by offering a better quality of life from this minority group, and then, hope for blind people is much more perceived as being rational.
samedi 7 mai 2011
Goalball
There is a sport for visual impaired people, this game is called goal ball. It consists of three on three with a ball that contains bells in it for them to hear. The goal of the game is to pass the ball behind the thrre players by rolling the ball either hard or soft depending the type of player. One team is on the offense and having pass it to each other, then the defensive team can go on the offense. The game is played in two halves, of five or seven minute halves. This game is played in regional, national and international competition.
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txblind.html
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txblind.html
Fondation Mira
There are many ways in which visually impaired people are helped. One of them is "Fondation Mira" which is here in Quebec. This organization has been helping these people since October 21st 1981 when they presented there two first dogs. This first step was a really nice start for these people who were happy of these new possibilities which will finally help people. The mira fondation started with two categories of dogs which were the Labradors and Bouviers Bernois to finally have their own new race of dogs; labernois. These specialized dogs help people and are educated through school to help these handicapped or visually impaired people. Mira has gave over 2000 dogs and each dogs is worth about 30 000$ and has no government help. Mira has many financial activities to auto-suffice.
http://www.mira.ca/fr/qui-sommes-nous-/3/historique_18.html
http://www.mira.ca/fr/qui-sommes-nous-/3/historique_18.html
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