[blindkid] Ceramics class

Richard Holloway rholloway at gopbc.org
Fri Apr 8 00:27:33 UTC 2011


I sold submit that throwing pots is much more of a tactile business than a visual one in the first place. I don't appreciate anyone saying my daughter should not / could not do a thing simply because she is blind. I suspect most of us feel the same way here. Generally it reflects a poor understanding of blindness as well as a limited ability to teach, or certainly to adapt teaching methods. Most of the things my daughter has the most trouble doing seem to be things that sighted people have trouble explaining. (Often she then moves forward and figures out on her own.)

Still, it is probably easier in a case like this not to say she can do whatever she wants and that is enough reason, as opposed to saying this is not some new concept for the blind and showing some examples of those who already do this.

I'd refer her to some known individuals who are blind potters, such as:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbu24e6120

Here is a deaf-blind elementary student who enjoys pottery:

http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2007/01/deafblind_girl.html

Looks like there may be a list for the NFB which has more information too-- I found this with google:

http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/2010-August/008650.html

Google "Blind Potter" or "Blind Pottery" then play around with Art, Artist, Deaf-Blind, etc. I especially like it when a deaf-blind example can me shown, just to sort of over-emphasize a point-- not only can someone with one sense impaired do this thing, but a person with two sensory issues can as well.

I think what you really need to convey is that people who rely on vision seem to assume many things MUST be done visually. In most cases, it just isn't so, but until the people you're dealing with make that connection, you're going to have some ongoing frustration.

Good luck!



On Apr 7, 2011, at 7:23 PM, Pat Renfranz wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> 
> My 9th grader is taking a ceramics class at school. The teacher is saying it
> is not safe for her to use the pottery wheel and furthermore that she
> wouldn’t be successful. So much for art being in the eye....er hands of the
> beholder.  
> 
> Has anyone’s child successfully used a pottery wheel, or do you know of any
> blind adults who have used one? Any tips?
> 
> Thanks,
> Pat Renfranz
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/rholloway%40gopbc.org





More information about the BlindKid mailing list