[nabs-l] Schools For The Blind vs Public Schools

[Christina Moore]

I believe both settings have thier benefits and disadvantages.
I attended a school for the blind from 2-4 grade and was a residental
student. I did not mind in any not being at home and being at the
school for the blind allowed me to be around other kids, advance my
braille skills, learn some other necessary skills and gain
self-confidence I would not otherwise have had.
Once I entered public school in fifth grade it waws a hurtle for me to
do math and to accept being in a public school because my whole world
was different. My school was learning how to help me as they were
going and that was challenging at time. It was not thier fault, but it
was still challenging. I did well though and am in college now.
I believe both experiences have their advantages and disadvantages.
For instance, there is more self-advocacy, need to prove yourself to
classmates Etc. in a school that is public versus a school that
catters to blindness. Everyone in my opinion should have an experience
of starting out in a school for the blind in some way and then they
should be transitioned into a public school where they finish thier
education.
Just my thoughts.

On 2/6/16, jessica hodges via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I believe schools for the blind can have some benefits. If you go there
> as a residential student, depending on the school, and the quality of
> education, you can get a lot of skills that can serve you very well in
> life after graduation, if you keep practicing them. However, I believe
> that a student should also have some public school exposure, to teach
> self advicasy, as well as how to cope when things when all materials and
> experiences are not accessible, and optimized for blindness. The issue
> that I find with blind schools is that they basically hand the students
> the world on a silver platter. They don't have to fight for anything,
> make due with anything that isn't perfectly accessible, and so have no
> exposure in how to deal with things in the "real world," outside the
> sphere of the blind school. I went to a blind school from my third to
> sixth grade year, and was home schooled through seventh grade, so I
> struggled integrating back into the school system, particularly in math,
> trying to adapt to a visually taught class and things. I also didn't
> stay at the school, so I did not learn half of the skills that I could
> have.
>       In conclusion, I believe it is good to give students experience in
> both public, and blind school settings.
> Hope this helps.
> Jessica
>
> On 2/6/2016 4:42 PM, Roanna Bacchus via nabs-l wrote:
>> Good evening Students,
>>
>> I have a question for all of you.  What are the advantages and
>> disadvantages of attending a residential school for the blind vs a
>> public school? I could not handle being away from my family during the
>> week.  As a toddler I attended the Early Intervention program at the
>> Perkins School For The Blind.  I'd like to hear your thoughts on this
>> topic.
>>
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