[Nfbk] Situation at KSB

[Gatton, Tonia (OFB-LV)]

Wow!  Really?  I don't know what else to say.  I'm truly shocked.  Talk about taking like 10 steps back in time...  I'm curious as to if they planned on making the kids hang on to the rope while in the pool?  Ridiculous!     

Tonia
Tonia Gatton
Assistive Technology Specialist
KY Office for the blind
Charles W McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
800-346-2115
(502) 429-4460 ext 224
(502) 429-7113 fax
tonia.gatton at ky.gov

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-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbk [mailto:nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nickie Pearl
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:05 AM
To: NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List
Subject: [Nfbk] Situation at KSB

Hello!
    This Tuesday during Summer Enrichment at KSB there was a situation that happened that I would like to share with everyone. The back story is that on Monday the Middle school kids went out on a field trip & one of the kids got lost/separated from the group.  On Tuesday when the High School kids were going to swim, when departing the bus they instructed the kids to hold on to a rope so no one get lost/separated. Yes, you heard that correctly, they were instructed to hold onto a rope.  One young man refused to hold the rope & ultimately the kids were put back on the bus and returned to KSB without swimming. 
There was a veteran staff member & a new staff member present & as I understand, it was the new staff member who cam up with this rope idea.
    The actions of these staff members are inexcusable, disrespectful & down right degrading!  Parents send their kids to KSB to learn independence, life skills, O&M & confidence, not to be lead around like animals or criminals!  This action was a slap in the face to all those kids, other staff members, alumni & all blind persons of this community.
    We need to spread the word about this situation, call or write KSB & express our disgust & disappointment in the actions of these staff members.  Let them know that using a rope is unacceptable &  that the members of the National Federation of the Blind will not tolerate this sort of degrading behavior.  Also, we need to make sure to applaud   the actions of the young man who refused the rope!
 
Thank you!
Nickie