[blindkid] Be OK with Blindness Workshop - Deadline to register is fast approaching

[Amy Phelps]

If you are a parent of a blind child or educator of blind children, please join us on April 30

2nd Annual "Be OK with Blindness" 

Workshop for Parents and Educators of Blind Children and Blind/Low Vision Children and Teens 

Saturday, April 30, 2011 
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Presented by: Blind Industries and Services of Maryland and Maryland Parents of Blind Children 

Location: 3345 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21227

For more information contact: Amy Phelps, Youth Services 410-737-2642 or aphelps at bism.org 

Pre-registration deadline - April 25, 2011 

The Key to your CHILD'S SUCCESS is in your Hands! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY to bring your child a step closer to TRUE  INDEPENDENCE!

"Be OK with Blindness" Workshop: 
	A day-long program for parents and teachers of blind children and their blind/partially blind children of all ages. The day-long workshop offers hand-on tracks for all participants. 

PARENTS OF BLIND CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS
Morning Session
"What I Wish My Parents had Known":	 hear from a panel of successful blind adults about what they wish their parents had known - everything from teaching skills to attitudes about blindness.
Cooking without Looking:  learn how to work with your child on doing things  nonvisually in the kitchen and around the house while gaining some nonvisual skills yourself. 
Lunch prepared by parents in the "Cooking without Looking "session. 
Afternoon Session
Cane Travel: learn how using a long white cane is important and how to promote and encourage cane travel for your child.
Homework struggles:  learn how to help your child with homework. 
Mentoring: learn how a mentoring relationship with a successful blind adult can have a positive impact on both you and your child. 

CHILDREN (BIRTH TO 8)
Lunch with parents - provided by "Cooking without Looking "session. 
	Childcare is provided. The children will have lots of fun while learning! The theme is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Activities will be age appropriate and educational. 

YOUTH (9-18) 
Morning Session 
Shopping:  youth will learn from blind mentors/role models how to shop using alternative techniques. They will visit the local Wal Mart and will learn nonvisual shopping techniques. They will also learn how to navigate through the store independently, obtain appropriate assistance, manage their money, and comparison shop. Shopping trip will include a fun scavenger hunt of items to used later in the day. 
Lunch with parents - provided by "Cooking without Looking "session.
Afternoon Session
Field Day: with their blind mentors, participants will play lots of fun active games, such as jump rope, wheelbarrow race, 3-legged race, human knot, "Minute-to-win-it", etc. Youth will make their own snacks and generate ideas how to adapt other games at school and home to stay involved with their peers around them. 


Warm regards, 

Amy C. Phelps, CRC, NOMC

Find out more about our "Be OK with Blindness" Workshop for parents and educators of blind children and Blind/Low Vision Children and Teens 

Help sponsor our youth program activities Donate 
Check out information about our summer youth program: Independence 2011 

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
3345 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21227
Phone: 410-737-2642
Mobile: 410-274-1647
Fax: 410-737-2689
Toll Free: 888-322-4567
E-mail: aphelps at bism.org

"...given proper training and opportunity, the average blind person can do the average job in the average place of business and do it as well as his or her sighted neighbor..." Freedom for the Blind, James H. Omvig