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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> Hi all,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I know that blogs are a dime a dozen, but
I hope you will go and check mine out. I’d really love the feedback and would
also like to see this serve as a resource for parents and teachers out there. Please
check it out at <a href="http://www.makingitontheplayground.com/">www.makingitontheplayground.com</a>
. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> Mary Jo Hartle, MEd, NOMC <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>P.S. Below is the latest post—just in case
you’re curious…</span></font> Happy “Meet the Blind” Month <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Well, as some of you may already know, October is “Meet the Blind
month. The purpose of this month is to help educate the public and create
greater awareness of the capabilities of people who are blind. Across the
country, groups of blind and low vision individuals and their friends and
family observe this month through various outreach activities such as
participating in public events, speaking in public venues like schools, civic
clubs, and so forth, passing out literature, hosting meet and greets, and
volunteering service in their communities . Even though the month is half
gone, it’s not too late for you to do something to help observe “Meet the Blind
month” in your own area. So, here are a few easy ideas I came up with to help
spread the word about this exciting observance and great public awareness
opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Create a bulletin
board with a blindness theme to display in your school. You should also
consider making this an accessible and “blind-friendly “ bulletin
board,a.k.a. tactually appealing and dual media with print and Braille. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pass out “Braille
Party Mix” to your neighbors, friends, colleagues, classmates, co-workers,
etc. Braille party mix consists of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=circle>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>6 pieces of round
candy like “Dots”, M and M’s, or Reeses’Pieces=the six dots in a Braille
cell. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pretzel sticks= the
stylus <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Cheese nibs
crackers or other similar looking crackers with holes and ridges = the
Braille cell <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Alphabet Cereal=
print letters being translated into Braille <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> Fruit roll-ups=
piece of paper <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Spotlight a blind
student or adult in your school/community at a public event such as a
church or civic club meeting, school assembly, class, etc. This can also
be a Q and A session with a blind person about how he or she does various
tasks with non-visual techniques. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pass out Braille
alphabet cards along with your Halloween candy. These can be obtained
from blindness organizations like the American Printing House, the
National Federation of the Blind, or the National Braille Press for free
or a small nominal fee. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If you are a teacher
or parent of a blind child, help your child set up a volunteer experience
at a public service venue such as a food pantry, nursing home, hospital,
etc. This will be a great way to teach your child the importance of
“giving back” and also provide a unique opportunity for the public to see
the capabilities of your child. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Set up a table and
time to Braille names on index cards in a public place such as school
lunchroom, outside a store, public library, flea market, etc. People are
fascinated by Braille and will love getting a copy of their name in
Braille. You can also hand out Braille alphabet cards at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Pass out literature
about blindness in your neighborhood, school, business, etc. This could
include things like Braille alphabet cards, or general blindness facts. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Host a tail gate
party at a school football game. You can pass out Braille literature,
Braille people’s names, and have blind people serving the food. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>I hope these ideas have inspired you to get out and
help spread the word about “Meet the Blind “month. I’d love to hear other
ideas from you and/or the things you are doing to observe this month. Happy
“Meet the Blind Month!”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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