[nabs-l] Response to Apanda's question

[Sami Osborne]

Hi Amanda,

Sorry I couldn't respond directly in your message, but I got an 
error when I attempted to send it.  Here's my response:

 Hi Amanda,

I'm not sure if this will work, but maybe you can try to get one 
of the students to do sighted guide with you to the place where 
you're going to have the outing? I think this would be useful, 
because it would even allow them to practice their social skills 
with you before they arrive at the outing; while you're walking 
together, you and the student that's guiding you should try to 
engage in conversation so that either party wouldn't get bored on 
the way.  If your assigned student is autistic and doesn't feel 
comfortable with you holding their arm, I would just tell them 
that you completely understand there feelings, but that it's just 
the way that most blind people get around while in an environment 
with many people.
Or, if one of the students guiding you isn't feasible, and if 
there are other  staff members going with you and the students on 
the outings, you can always just do sighted guide with one of 
them.  Although, if you do that, make sure that they know that 
you hold their arm rather than the other way around (I think you 
know what I mean).

I hope that helps.

Sami