[blindkid] Music camp? Another alternative!

Mon Mar 10 02:26:45 UTC 2014

Arielle,

Really good info here! I always love reading your posts even when they are not related to mine. It makes sense now, that how I see the world, Ben should fit right in! Sometimes the greatest risks yield the largest rewards! I'll keep you all posted!

Thanks,
Crystal

> Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2014 15:26:36 -0600
> From: arielle71 at gmail.com
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Music camp? Another alternative!
> 
> No question that they're discriminating against Ben and being totally
> unreasonable. The thing I don't know is whether or not the ADA covers
> a private camp and whether the camp is legally required to be
> non-discriminatory. If so, they're violating ADA in multiple ways,
> first by setting different entrance criteria for disabled and
> non-disabled students, second by turning away a student just because
> of disability, and third by refusing to provide accommodations that
> they think Ben needs.
> I worry a little bit about arranging for another student to be Ben's
> assistant. I understand it might be the only reasonable way to get
> through the door, and if you talk to Ben and the other student
> beforehand about what the expectations are, it could be a good
> experience. But if the other student feels like he has to be
> responsible for Ben's safety--especially if  the camp staff place that
> expectation on him explicitly, i.e. by getting upset with him if he
> and Ben are not together constantly--it could be a difficult
> experience for the other student and an embarrassing one for Ben.
> There are some people who discriminate against us out of fear and once
> they get to know us they open up to us. Unfortunately though, there
> are others who stubbornly cling to the idea that blind people can't do
> things. We know from psychology that people tend to see the world in
> ways that fit their expectations. So if these camp leaders expect Ben
> to be totally helpless, they will probably pay more attention to times
> when Ben needs help and less attention to times when he does things
> well on his own. In other words, convincing them to change their minds
> may be a lot harder than just having them meet Ben and get over their
> fears. In the end, you will have to decide if it's worth the trouble
> to try to educate them and possibly fail.
> 
> Arielle
> 
> On 3/9/14, Marianne Denning <marianne at denningweb.com> wrote:
> > I agree.  Again, they can't refuse to provide the experience because
> > he is blind.  I had a student who went on her senior trip at a camp.
> > She was on the zip line, high ropes courses, and the camp leaders did
> > an excellent job of making sure she was included in all activities.
> > The camp counselors may be fine with it but the camp administration
> > has a problem.  I would gather all the information possible about the
> > camp and talk with them about how your son could participate.  You can
> > use this as an opportunity to educate and go the more forceful route
> > when all else fails.  It is very hard to be an advocate because you
> > look like the mean, bad person.  That is how we change things.  I am
> > blind and am very thankful for all blind people who changed things
> > ahead of me and I hope I change things for people who are following
> > after me.
> >
> > On 3/9/14, Crystal Schumacher <crystal_schu at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> I just don't think it is right that they are advertising this camp at his
> >> public school and then depending on the type of disability, pick and
> >> choose
> >> who can attend. Why this camp? Because his Band teacher is teaching at it
> >> and many of his classmates will be attending. Everyone is talking about
> >> it.
> >> The teachers made it a topic at his IEP meeting, so public school is
> >> indeed
> >> involved in my opinion. How can public school allow advertisement of a
> >> private camp that would discriminate against students with disabilities?
> >>
> >> What are the camps concerns? That he won't be able to navigate the camp,
> >> that he won't be able to participate in the recreational activities, and
> >> that the camp cannot meet his needs. In my opinion, they are afraid of
> >> blindness in general and have little understanding of what it means to be
> >> blind. I feel the camp would love for me to go away, that would make it
> >> easy
> >> for them. I understand that in order to get into the "club" I need to
> >> make
> >> them feel comfortable and play by their rules. Most importantly, Ben will
> >> be
> >> paving the way for another blind student in the years to come. As someone
> >> once said, it is he opportunity to be equal, and the right to be
> >> different.
> >> That's what were looking for.
> >>
> >> Crystal
> >>
> >>
> >>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> >>> Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2014 12:35:21 -0400
> >>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Music camp?  Another alternative!
> >>>
> >>> Eric,
> >>>
> >>> Or should we go head strong into that camp and change perspectives and
> >>> understandings? Thinking being an activist  for change is a great thing
> >>> for
> >>> this young man to champion.
> >>>
> >>> If he is clear about what he is up against, and he is clear that there
> >>> are
> >>> supports in place to at least let him take that chance, pushing the
> >>> issue
> >>> may be worth it in the end.
> >>>
> >>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> >>> Founder and CEO
> >>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> >>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> >>> New York, New York  10004
> >>> www.myblindspot.org
> >>> PH: 917-553-0347
> >>>
> >>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
> >>> is
> >>> doing it."
> >>>
> >>> Like Us on Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eric
> >>> Calhoun
> >>> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2014 11:30 PM
> >>> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> >>> Subject: [blindkid] Music camp? Another alternative!
> >>>
> >>> Crystal, Eric, someone who knows Braille Music.  Four words for this
> >>> Music
> >>> Camp: Get, out, of, here!  They don't want Ben to be independent, don't
> >>> want him there without a chaperone?  Could we back away from this camp
> >>> altogether?
> >>>
> >>> Eric
> >>> ..
> >>>
> >>> ..
> >>>
> >>> Sighted and blind people, Eric from Los Angeles.  Here's where you can
> >>> find me: The all-new Stairs to Heaven Christian Line, 712-432-4808, Room
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> >>
> >>  		 	   		
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> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> > Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> > (513) 607-6053
> >
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