[Art_beyond_sight_advocacy] Help Make A Difference in the education of Blind Students

Sat Aug 22 19:08:45 UTC 2009

I have been trying to see if Art Beyond Sight would advertise the eight
venues here in Tidewater that will sponsor tactile art program in October.
I made the request, outlining the sites, but the man in charge seems to be
away.

I wrote a training manual for docents, and as said earlier, is being used
throughout the country, one site in Canada (AGO) and another in the U (royal
Academy of Art).

How can I help you?  Would you like a copy of the pamphlet?

What I did to make it feasible was introduce the subject to people I knew
who are involved at the different sites.  I impressed upon them that a
tactile program for the Blind/people with low vision will open the door to
more visitors, enhance their abilities to service their community, and it
would be financially feasible for them to do so.  I did not say it was the
law, but I did say that the ADA Title III stated that everyone has the right
to enjoy any program offered in this country.  I also used, as an example,
the Spy Museum in DC.  I do Have a paper I've written and will be glad to
send it as well.  It fully explains the process.

I have traveling around the country and abroad promoting this at different
conferences relating to the Built Environment, and docent/museum programs,
as well as holding training programs for docents.  I felt you had to get
complete understanding, buy-ins and sensitivity to a broad range of people.

Completely self-funded, I have now been offered a chance for some funding
from the Friends of the museum that I serve as a volunteer docent and I am
preparing line items for them to consider, including making the museum more
accessible.

My contact number today would be the cell - 757 513-4880 if you'd like to
call.  I plan on taking a short break before the weather changes to go out.
Just sent in three images to the Am Printing House for the Blind who will
convert it to tactile graphics.  I'll be in for another fifteen minutes for
a lunch break.

Shirley

On 8/22/09 1:51 PM, "helen zdrojewski" <hzdro at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hello Shirley!
> I have been trying to spearhead an art access and education program for the
> visually impaired in the Cleveland area.  Please feel free to email me. I
> would love to discuss more with you! Helen
> .
> --- On Sat, 8/22/09, Shirley Confino-Rehder <scr at univdesign.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Shirley Confino-Rehder <scr at univdesign.com>
> Subject: Re: [Art_beyond_sight_advocacy] Help Make A Difference in the
> education of Blind Students
> To: "Art Beyond Sight Advocacy" <art_beyond_sight_advocacy at nfbnet.org>, "Rosy
> Carranza" <rcarranza at nfb.org>
> Cc: "Frances Durham" <fdurham at endependence.org>
> Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009, 12:43 PM
> 
> 
> I am not a teacher in public schools but a docent at a museum who teaches
> the public about art.  I have been introducing training programs to educate
> docents and museum staff on giving tours in museums and have written a
> pamphlet to aid in the training. This manual has been sent, by request, to
> at least fifty museums in the States, one in Canada and one to the Royal
> Academy of Art in the UK.
> 
> I think the art experience is most important to the full development of
> everyone. Is this an area that you can offer support? My tour guide really
> does not address children tours. And it might be something I would like to
> pursue.
> 
> As of this writing there will be eight venues offering tactile tours in the
> Hampton Roads area for the month of October.  Some will continue on
> throughout the year. A first in our area!
> 
> I am most interested in what you are proposing. How can I help/get involved?
> 
> Right now two universities are participating in the tactile tour programs so
> my foot is in their doors.  As chair of the Norfolk Mayor's Commission I
> have all of the school representative of Special Services involved in our
> work.
> 
> Just a thought - 
> 
> Shirley Confino-Rehder cid, affil aia
> www.univdesign.com
> Chair, Norfolk Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities
> Chair, South Hampton Roads Disability Services Board
> 757 625-0969 office
> 757 513-4880 mobile
> 
> On 8/18/09 10:07 PM, "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
> 
>> If you are ready to help make a difference in the education of blind
>> students, then this message is for you! This fall, the National
>> Federation of the Blind is going to kick-off an exciting new program
>> designed to attract both perspective and current teachers into the field
>> of blindness education. Specifically, we need volunteers for the
>> following roles--
>> 
>> *Presenters: As a recruitmentPresentor, you will work with your
>> local universities to make presentations to teacher candidates. We will
>> provide you email templates that you can use to establish a university
>> contact, a few presentation format options that you can easily customize
>> to complement your personal style, and additional materials that you can
>> use to promote this outstanding career.
>> 
>> Blindness Education Mentors: Blindness Education Mentors serve as a
>> local resource to teacher candidates. Your main role is to establish a
>> connection between the future teacher and the National Federation of the
>> Blind. Parents of blind children, current or former teachers of blind
>> students, and others who are passionate about the education of blind
>> children are encouraged to become mentors.
>> 
>> Career Fair Recruitment Representatives: For this role, we need
>> individuals who would be interested in promoting this teaching option at
>> college, high school or community career fairs.
>> 
>> For each of these opportunities, you will receive strong support from
>> our national office. We will provide you training, professional outreach
>> materials, ready-to-use presentation outlines, and related support.
>> This project has the potential to revolutionize blindness education.
>> Please consider lending your time and talents to ensuring that the next
>> generation of blind students receives a first-class education!
>> 
>> For more information on how you can make a difference, please contact
>> Rosy Carranza at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2283, or via email at
>> rcarranza at nfb.org.
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Shirley Confino-Rehder cid, affil aia
www.univdesign.com
Chair, Norfolk Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities
Chair, South Hampton Roads Disability Services Board
757 625-0969 office
757 513-4880 mobile