[nabs-l] Skill Training and Reinforcement for High School Students

Fri Nov 28 02:32:08 UTC 2008

Hi Arielle,

Excellent question.  With the demands and pressure in high school its easy to forget some of these skills.  I had pretty decent services.  I learned Braille when I was young and had mobility training since second grade.  However in high school although I took notes in Braille, I did not read much since I had rfb books.  Also I did not have the opportunity to practice my cane skills outside lessons for a variety of reasons such as it being faster to go sighted guide and lack of public transit near my home.  I have deficits still and if I do knowing I got good services, I shutter to think what other students grew up with.  Often we just don’t get practice because parents don’t show us how to do things and/or expect it.  

Here are my answers and suggestions.

1. Did any of you receive Braille, travel, home management, etc.
training from someone in your local area outside of your school
district? If so, who was it and how did you find this teacher?

Yes.  When I was thirteen someone from the department for the Blind and vision Impaired, a rehab teacher, they’re called, came to my home occasionally and showed me basic things about cooking and cleaning.
I also received travel training from the department from an instructor between high school and college and she oriented me to campus when I began.  Additionally, I received some computer training with jaws from people who contracted with the department.  Someone in the nfb chapter also taught me a few things about computers and travel.

2. What are some suggestions for things students can do every day to
reinforce their skills in Braille, computers, travel, and home
management after initially learning them? (For example, a Braille tip
would be to try to read Braille books for pleasure as much as
possible).

For Braille and computers they should be practicing these to complete papers and read assignments.  

But if not other ideas are: finding ways to use them.  
This includes labeling CDS and other items in Braille and reading for pleasure.  Type letters to relatives or pen pals.  Try finding a Braille pen pal too; these days its hard with email though.  
For travel, use your cane even when walking sighted guide with family.  I always walked with parents wich did not allow me to develop the confidence to independently travel.  So, if possible, students should walk  around and shop on their own.  For instance while your parents shop at Macy’s you go to the music store and buy something with customer service assistance.  For home management, practice doing things around the home.  Also, for cooking prepare some of the meal such as the salad or vegetable dish.

3. What kinds of  extracurricular activities, camps, etc. did you guys
participate in that you feel contributed to your skill development?

I went to a Baptist camp two summers even though I’m not Baptist.  You just had to be Christian.  I was able to socialize there more equally; this was with all nondisabled campers but they seemed friendly.  I also joined clubs in high school and this helped with socialization.  I volunteered with my church members serving food at a shelter.  I think its important to get out and do things with peers or community members to be well rounded and practice interpersonal skills and educating others about how to treat a blind person.  The more you are just with family and teachers, the more sheltered you are.  I considered myself pretty sheltered but I get the feeling that some blind kids I contacted are just as sheltered if not more.

Ashley

-----Original Message-----
>From: Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>
>Sent: Nov 25, 2008 9:34 PM
>To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [nabs-l] Skill Training and Reinforcement for High School Students
>
>Hello all,
>
>A while ago, I started a discussion on the list about skills that are
>important for high school students to master before transitioning into
>college, work, and adult life in general. Since then I have been asked
>to help write a page for the new NABS Web site  describing these skill
>goals as well as resources for high school students to use to sharpen
>their skills and confidence in preparation for transitioning after
>graduation. Of course, we will provide information about the summer
>youth programs at each of the three NFB training centers. But for
>those high schoolers who can't get to a training center or who want
>additional support during the year, I need your input about other
>practical ways that these students can work on building their skills
>while still in school. A few more specific questions for you guys:
>
>1. Did any of you receive Braille, travel, home management, etc.
>training from someone in your local area outside of your school
>district? If so, who was it and how did you find this teacher?
>
>2. What are some suggestions for things students can do every day to
>reinforce their skills in Braille, computers, travel, and home
>management after initially learning them? (For example, a Braille tip
>would be to try to read Braille books for pleasure as much as
>possible).
>
>3. What kinds of  extracurricular activities, camps, etc. did you guys
>participate in that you feel contributed to your skill development?
>
>Please tell us about your experiences--I'm hoping to include as many
>ideas from the list as possible in this Web page.
>
>Thanks everyone for your contributions. You are helping to mentor and
>support the next generation of blind youth!
>
>Happy Thanksgiving!
>
>Arielle Silverman
>First Vice-President, National Association of Blind Students
>
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year