[blindkid] Need quick advice for Ari

Tue Nov 4 18:28:43 UTC 2008

You said objective, right?  In that case, let's start after lunch when you are content having your fill of the "principal" food group.

I would try to learn how liability is handled.  There is at least some chance that the school has to have liability insurance.  If they do, the burden of proof is then on 
the insurance company and not the Principal.  While it can vary, there is a good deal of pressure for insurance companies to back up any rates with statistical 
evidence.  They cannot charge more or restrict activities because someone thinks that maybe a blind person isn't safe.  Also, the school has some responsibility to 
have an inclusive environment.  I would try to find out if they have any written guidelines as to safety on the playground.

>From my experience as a blind kid and as a parent, the most dangerous thing about a playground with respect to blindness is being aware of where swings in motion 
are.  My guess is that the principal has not even thought this specifically.  Climbing the jungle gym or similar equipment puts many people into a spin, but there just 
isn't any reason that this kind of activity is going to be any more dangerous for a blind kid than anyone else.  Most of us managed to avoid being hit by swings, too, 
one way or another, but it is something that a kid needs to be aware of and where a cane doesn't always help that much.  Only you know if your child is observant 
enough to manage that or whether some additional thought needs to be given to that.  Also, other factors can come into play if there are other disabilities in addition 
to blindness involved, but the current approach doesn't seem reasonable to me even if other disabilities exist.  Playgrounds can offer opportunities for any child to get 
hurt if care isn't taken.  However, too often, people think of us as breakable glass statues that must be put on  a shelf and protected without realizing that a few 
stitches now and then or a bloody nose are a part of life for all of us.  Your principal might be surprised to learn that if he were to visit the emergency room of a 
children's hospital, he would find that almost all emergencies happen to kids who are sighted with no other disabilities.

Let us know what happens.

On Tue, 4 Nov 2008 15:37:59 +0000, jjordan_pa at yahoo.com wrote:

>I just found out that Ari has been "confined" to "the bar" at recess.  Imagine her surprise (and mine) when we took her to school playground and found all the other 
equipment. She had a blast. Now my dilemma-i called her aide and she said the principal was worried about the liability to the school and wouldn't let her play on the 
equipment during school hours.   I need your help in remaining objective and diplomatic because "the momma bear" in me wants to eat him for lunch. Your 
comments are welcome. Janice
>Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

>-----Original Message-----
>From: "David B Andrews" <David.B.Andrews at state.mn.us> (by way of David Andrews
>	<dandrews at visi.com>)

>Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:22:39 
>To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [blindkid] Fwd: Make it Matter

> >>> "Kim Moccia (ADM)" <Kim.Moccia at state.mn.us> 10/29/2008 10:40 AM >>>
>Here is an opportunity to recognize someone who makes a difference 
>AND earn $100,000 for a deserving non-profit!

>Type: Foundations
>Agency: Reader's Digest Foundation
>Program: Reader's Digest Foundation "Make it matter"
>Eligibility: Non-profit organizations

>Purpose: Make it Matter" is a new initiative of the Reader's Digest 
>Foundation. The Foundation will give away $1 million to nonprofit 
>organizations based on inspiring stories submitted by the public.

>Every month for ten months, Reader's Digest will choose one 
>individual whose story of giving back serves as an inspiration to 
>others. For each story, the Reader's Digest Foundation will donate 
>$100,000 to a nonprofit organization that is associated either with 
>the story or the cause. These individuals and their stories of giving 
>back will appear every month in the new "Make it Matter" column in 
>Reader's Digest and on rd.com, beginning with the April issue.

>      Name: N/A
>      Deadline: January 01, 2009
>      Maximum Award: $100,000 per month
>      Number Of Awards: 10
>      Period: over 10 months 4/08-1/09

>More Information:

>Know anyone making an extraordinary contribution to your community? 
>As announced on The Today Show, tell the Reader's Digest Foundation 
>about them, and the story selected by RDF may be featured in Reader's 
>Digest. Plus, RDF will give $100,000 to a deserving charity in their 
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><http://www.todayshow.com/>todayshow.com or 
><http://www.rd.com/>rd.com. So tell us about the good works below -- 
>or email your story to <mailto:makeitmatter at rd.com>makeitmatter at rd.com!

>URL: 
><http://www.efundraising.com/Readers-Digest-Foundation.aspx?partner=grantsalert>http://www.efundraising.com/Readers-Digest-Foundation.aspx?
partner=grantsalert 

>Kim Moccia
>Minnesota STAR Program
>358 Centennial Office Bldg
>658 Cedar Street
>Saint Paul, MN  55155

>651-201-2297 (direct dial)
>651-282-6671 (fax)

>Email: kim.moccia at state.mn.us
>Web site: www.starprogram.state.mn.us

>STAR Technology Exchange
>STARTE reusing assistive technology!
>www.mnstarte.org

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