[nabs-l] working with kids

[Andi]

It is illegal to not higher someone because of a disability, though many 
imploiers do find ways around that law.  I have worked at a summer camp for 
blind children a number of years.  I also volonteered at a few other camps 
and programs for sighted kids.  I believe my expirience with the camp for 
blind kids gave me credentials in the eyes of the sighted.  The main thing 
is that you have to prove yourself.  You already know you are not only 
capable but a good choice for the job, you have to let them know you can. 
Make sure to present them with a resume that emphasizes your expirience with 
kids: babysitting, volenteering in big brothers big sisters, tutering, ect. 
Have references that can vouge for your abilities in working with kids, have 
recommendation letters.  If they have the positive statemens in front of 
them they are more likely to consider you than if they have to call and ask 
about you.  Do not say you are blind anywhere in the aplication.  If you are 
called for an interview it will be because they liked your aplication and 
resume.  Once you are at the interview present yourself in a way they can 
not dismiss you as a "blind person"  you are a good candidate for the job. 
Explain your ways of doing things they do not believe you can do.  IF you 
want more expirience before you go, get involved with big brothers big 
sisters, or any other volenteer program you can find working with kids. 
Offer to lead some activities.  If you go to chirch help out with adventure 
clubs or what ever they have for kids.  If not focus on community 
oportunities
    You asked how I knew where kids were and what they were doing, just use 
your other sences especially your ears.  My friend who is a blind mother 
says sighted parence trust her with their kids over other sighted parence 
because she seems to have eyes in the back of her head.  My friend responded 
that she told her kids that same thing, but the truthe was her ears picked 
up on things the kids could hide from eyes.  Kids by nature are noisy, so 
when they get quiet is a good time to take a closer look at what they are 
doing.  The camp I worked at was lokated in the woods and was a very active 
camp.  It is possible, don't give up.  Also at the camp we used a counting 
system all the kids had a number and they counted off when we were leaving a 
location and then again when at the new location.  I have seen sighted 
people find this system useful as well.  That doesn't mean you don't know 
the kids and their names and voices but it does help.  I have also seen 
sighted people get fooled by a smart ass kid who said another's number where 
as the blind person new their voices and knew that kid was not their.  The 
blind person was also able to find the missing kid  before the sighted 
person.
-----Original Message----- 
From: bookwormahb at earthlink.net
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 7:37 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] working with kids

Hi all,

So I don’t have a job and I have wanted to help children, whether in reading 
or just being there to help out and manage them.
I am considering applying for a counseling position at local day camps.
I am doubtful though about getting hired; I don’t have experience except for 
a little tutoring I did a few years ago.
Yet the only way to get experience is for someone to give you a chance.
What was your experience like if you did this?

My rehab counselor discouraged me from pursuing teaching or working with 
kids because I cannot see what they’re doing and safety issues.
Yet I don’t want to believe those low expectations.

There are many summer camps locally in the area at community centers and
recreation facilities.
How have you managed the kids? How do you know where they are, that they are
not getting hurt and doing what they are supposed to?
The camps involve structured activities inside which is not as challenging
to handle.  I can walk around and observe the kids.  Stuff like drama,
music, and arts and crafts are some activities. However, others involve
outdoor sport activities and I do not know how I'd manage that.

How did you convince them to let you help out?


Thanks.
Ashley
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