Education Programs

My Blind Spot provides educational programming that promotes understanding among students, educators, and families about what it means to live without sight and how sighted individuals can be helpful and inclusive to those who are without sight. The program incorporates experiential activities and paired/small group discussion so that everyone can participate and be engaged. Through its programs, My Blind Spot seeks to:

• develop the habits of thoughtful analysis and reflective thinking
• build problem solving and critical thinking skills
• foster empathy
• encourage appreciation of diversity
• support civic responsibility
• enhance scientific knowledge about the senses
• encourage awareness and conscious use of the senses
• support literacy skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking

 
School-based Curriculum

My Blind Spot’s programs for students are aligned with New York State’s learning and teaching standards. The program has been delivered in New York City and Long Island schools.

My Blind Spot offers programs consisting of four modules for Grades pre-K to 12. Each module is 40 minutes to an hour in length, and each is preceded by students writing a question they have and followed by their writing about something they learned. Student learning is assessed by pre- and post-tests.  Programs can be provided school-wide or to selected classrooms. 

Module 1: What It Means To Be Blind
Students do not automatically comprehend that a blind person can't see, nor can they imagine a situation from the blind perspective -- that is, if they can see their raised hands, they think the blind person must be able to see them too.

In Module One, a blind individual introduces himself/herself and his/her guide dog and works with students on solving the problem of how they can get the presenter’s attention and how the presenter can identify students and remember their names. Students then try to identify objects and perform simple tasks while wearing blindfolds or closing their eyes. To follow up, students draw and write about something they learned.

Module 2: A Dog's Life
The presenter tells the story of his/her dog. A slide show on DVD is shown. Students pet the dog in pairs. To follow up, they write letters to the dog or write stories about the dog.

Module 3: Living the Blind Life
The presenter presents the skills and strategies he/she uses to manage the tasks of daily living, such as using a cane, placing objects, and utilizing cues from other senses. Students do a blind walk with masks and canes. To follow up, they draw and write about the experience.

Module 4: How to Help
The presenter demonstrates and talks with children about the kinds of things with which he/she welcomes assistance and how people can best provide help. Students role play offering assistance in ways that are affirming and empowering, not condescending. To follow up, they draw and write about lending assistance to others respectfully and in an empowering and thoughtful manner.

Professional Development
Professional development for school staff focuses on building understanding of blindness and visual impairments and engages staff in creating interdisciplinary lessons and activities that will support students’ knowledge and understanding.

Parent Involvement
Workshops for parents and other caregivers raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment and promote appreciation of diversity. Parents participate in exercises similar to those in which students engage and take away related materials designed to promote conversation in the home.