[Nfb-krafters-korner] blind child with residual vision in a sewingclass

[Ramona Walhof]

        Ed and Patty, there is an article I wrote about sewing in a Kernel 
book that is probably better than the one I first wrote.  Maybe you sent her 
both.  The biggest challenge may be getting the student to believe her hands 
work better than her eyes, but they probably will if she really gives it a 
chance.

If she gets so she can thread the needles, both on the sewing machine and 
hand needles, and guide the fabric in the sewing machine, she can do 
everything else.  I think the article I wrote deals with cutting around 
tissue paper patterns all right.  But this girl may be fine doing that 
visually.  The teacher just needs to relax.  I would be glad to talk with 
her if that is helpful.  My phone number is 208-338-1595.

Here is a story that is different, but relevant.  My sister really does not 
like to sew very well.  However, when she was student teaching in Colorado, 
there was a blind junior high student named Julie Deden enrolled in a sewing 
class at the school.  The home ec teacher and Julie were both frustrated, 
and they called Susan in because they had no other ideas about what to do. 
Susan taught Julie how to thread the machine and guide the material.  That 
was all it took.  Julie never knew that Susan really didn't like to sew 
until maybe twenty years later when she told the story at the meeting where 
I happened to be.  I like the story because it shows so well how attitude 
counts so much.  Susan had done a little sewing and been around others who 
did more, so she knew what to do, and it worked.    My guess is that others 
on this list have had similar experiences.

Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Morman, Ed" <EMorman at nfb.org>
To: <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 6:33 AM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] blind child with residual vision in a 
sewingclass


> Howdy, list members.  This is Ed Morman, of the tenBroek Library at the
> Jernigan Institute in Baltimore.
>
>
>
> I'm temporarily joining this list in order to get suggestions for a
> response to a reference question we received at the library.
>
>
>
> Patti Johnson, a TVI in Florida, recently sent me this question:
>
>
>
> Hi!  I teach VI students and I have a 10 grader, with albinism/ legally
> blind, who is taking a sewing class.  Could I please have articles, to
> give to her reg. ed. teacher, who is quite afraid of having her fully
> integrated into her packed sewing class?  Thanks!  PJ
>
>
> In response, I suggested she read the piece about learning sewing that
> Ramona Walhof published in a Kernel Book a few years ago.  I also asked
> for advice from Natalie Shaheen, who is a member of the Jernigan
> Institute's education team.  Here's what Natalie wrote:
>
> I think the literature Ed passed on will be helpful. The most important
> thing in this situation is to make sure the classroom teacher knows the
> nonvisual techniques used by blind people to sew. If your student uses
> these techniques she shouldn't have trouble keeping up with the class.
> However, if the student tries to use her limited vision she will
> struggle a great deal. I speak from experience as a blind person. On at
> least two occasions I was forced to learn to sew something for a class
> or club. I didn't know any blind people when I was a kid so I did things
> the only way I knew how-visually. I ended up doing very little of the
> sewing independently and didn't enjoy any of it because I strained my
> eyes so much that I got headaches. I don't know that I would have ever
> loved sewing as it's not really my kind of hobby; but the negative
> experiences I had as a child left me with no interest in pursuing sewing
> as an adult. I can't enlighten you on the alternative techniques
> employed by blind people who sew but there are many people in the
> federation who could. If you need more information let us know and we
> can track down people who love to sew and would be happy to share their
> wisdom.
>
> I hope the "krafty" folks out there who sew will be willing to share
> their wisdom.  When you reply, please make sure to include Patti as a
> recipient.  Her email address is johnspj at bay.k12.fl.us
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
>
> Cordially,
>
> Ed Morman
>
> Edward T. Morman, MSLS, PhD
>
> Director, Jacobus tenBroek Library
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND JERNIGAN INSTITUTE
>
> 200 East Wells Street
>
>   at Jernigan Place
>
> Baltimore MD 21230
>
> 410.659.9314 x2225
>
> 410.685.2340 (fax)
>
>
>
> Promote Access to Science Education for Blind Students
>
> Vote for the NFB Youth Slam in the Pepsi Refresh Project
> <http://www.refresheverything.com/nfbyouthslam> , or text 101913 to
> Pepsi (73774)
>
>
>
>
>
> Cordially,
>
> Ed Morman
>
> Edward T. Morman, MSLS, PhD
>
> Director, Jacobus tenBroek Library
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND JERNIGAN INSTITUTE
>
> 200 East Wells Street
>
>   at Jernigan Place
>
> Baltimore MD 21230
>
> 410.659.9314 x2225
>
> 410.685.2340 (fax)
>
>
>
> Promote Access to Science Education for Blind Students
>
> Vote for the NFB Youth Slam in the Pepsi Refresh Project
> <http://www.refresheverything.com/nfbyouthslam> , or text 101913 to
> Pepsi (73774)
>
>
>
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