[blindkid] Joli and her cane

[Carol Castellano]

I think Albert is right about "sighted guide" not promoting 
independence, but I'll go even farther and say that the teachers' 
discomfort MUST take a back seat to the child's need to develop 
skills.  If teachers feel that way, they need information and 
education.  And it isn't empathy that our kids need, but 
understanding of the fact that cane use equals freedom, independence, 
and competence and that the way the skill develops is for the child 
to use it, practice, and make progress.
Carol

Carol Castellano, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.nfb.org/nopbc

At 12:55 PM 10/17/2009, you wrote:
>I agree with Richard, the sighted guide technique does nothing for promoting
>independence  in our students or in our adults transitioning into a blind
>life.  It is an important quick learn for Joli to take with her if and when
>she travels  alone  she would then be able to advise and teach others on how
>best to guide her in an empowering and independent manner.  I do not agree
>with any one persons position that academics or technologies opening the
>door to cognitive development should take a back seat to a cane.i do agree
>that it is an odd goal to have in an iep and would suggest you immediately
>insist that Joli be aloud to independently determine if and when she
>considers setting the cane aside and let her choose to take an arm if and
>when she feels the need. If her mode of mobility were a wheel chair Do you
>think the  the teachers or administration expect her to get up out of awheel
>chair and be carried from one class to another? I think not. Perhaps if Joli
>had a collapsible cane that would alleviate any concern about how clumsey
>carrying it might appear to teachers. Or perhaps, we could invite the
>teachers and administrators at your aschool to tracel with a cane and
>without a cane, and oh yeah perhaps they should try doing so with a
>simulation of vision similar to that with which Joli travels on a daily
>basis. I have found that simple empathy and "walking a mile in my shoes"
>goes a long way to change perspectives on mobility for the sighted.
>
>Albert J. Rizzi
>CEO/Founder
>My Blind Spot, Inc.
>90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>New York, New York  10004
>www.myblindspot.org <http://www.myblindspot/>
>PH: 917-553-0347
>Fax: 212-858-5759
>"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
>doing it."
>
>
>
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