[blindkid] School cane O/M issues

[Mike Freeman]

You're understanding of "sighted guide" technique is correct. Frankly, it shouldn't take more than 30 seconds to learn so the only reason I figure it's in Joli's IEP is antedeluvian thinking on the part of the O&M instructor! And you're bang on re using the cane all the time. Frankly, in my estimation (at least at this early stage), this is almost more important than provision of technology!

Mike Freeman, President
NFB of Washington

----- Original Message -----
From: L W <mama2sally at yahoo.com>
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Date: Friday, Oct 16, 2009 22:44:40
Subject: [blkid] School cane O/More issues

>
>
> Hi all. We got our daughter Joli's IEP finalized last week. Monday I went to her school to visit her vision teacher and discovered that Joli hasn't been using her cane.  She has been storing it in her locker.  So I wrote a note in her communication book saying that I wanted Joli to take her cane with her everywhere.  Joli came home Tuesday saying that her O/More teacher told her that her classes are so close together she could just leave the cane in her homeroom.  She also told Joli to stick her hand through the strap and wear it like a bracelet so she wouldn't drop it in dog poop.  The O/More teacher's concern seems to be that Joli isn't properly using the cane at school. Is this normal / common?  Am I missing something?  I want Joli to use the cane at school even though it is a familiar environment because I want Joli to get into the habit of always taking her cane with her.   Joli has had her cane for almost 1 month.
> Also I just noticed on her IEP it says she will learn sighted guide technique.  I am not sure I see the point of t.  Joli is 8 and her vision is 20/400.  Maybe I am not understanding what sighted guide technique is, but as I understand it, it's taking somebody's arm and letting them lead you?  If she were younger or her vision were worse maybe I would see more of a point to this, but now I would rather place more emphasis on cane travel and on things like safely crossing the road. Must admit during the IEP process (it's our 1st time doing the IEP) I was so focused on getting the technology she needs and the enlargements and getting extra reading help as Joli also has dyslexia, that I sort of didn't pay attention to the O/More side of things as much as I guess I should h.  I am wondering if this sighted guide technique is something I should fight to have changed, which I guess would mean calling another IEP meeting, or if it's something
>  Joli could benefit from.
> Thanks for any advice,
> Lauren
> 
> 
>       
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