[nobe-l] Blind PE teachers and supervising outdoor activites

[Catherine Mendez]

Hi Ashley,
I may be able to get you in touch with several people who are blind PE instructors. I don't think they are on this list to though. Is your question time sensitive?

As for supervising outdoor activities, I regularly supervise my class during free play in the schoolyard. There is a section regarding this topic on our website, in the "how do I? "Section.  

Www.blindeducators.orc

I have found that it helps to know where the trouble spots maybe – for example, the bottom of the slide, where students may choose to go the wrong way, or come down on safely. Or near the climbing wall, where there may be too many students at once.  As a blind teacher you need to rotate constantly through the area where students are at play, so that you can have audio feedback from these trouble spots.  You can do things like have your students use balls with bells inside, so that you can hear what they are doing with them. Also, remember that things like jump ropes make specific sounds as well, that you can monitor.  

If your students are old enough, you can assign one or two of them to be safety monitors alongside you as you supervise the activity.

These are just a few possible options.  Remember, blind teachers are not the only ones who supervise students at outdoor play and during physical activities. Many blind camp counselors also do the same.  Have you reached out to any of the folks who work at the NFB Training centers, to find out how they here safely supervise physical activities that their students are engaged in? Also, you might want to reach out to the NFB's sports and recreation division. They may have some insights for you as well.

Sincerely,
Catherine Mendez
President, National Organization of Blind Educators, a division of the National Federation of the Blind



Sent from my iPhone