Les Elford on sun 20 mar 05
Does anyone have any good Ideas they would share?
I just started another DD pottery class. One of my students is blind and confined to a wheel chair.
Thanks from Les in the Big Sky Country
vhardin on mon 21 mar 05
Les, in terms of clay, a blind person should be able to do anything a
sighted one can. But understanding techniques for teaching is critcal. So,
I thought I would share some of what I know in working with a person who is
blind. Learn what vision they may have and how they use it. Some people
may see shadows, some have tunnel vision, while others being at the point
where legal blindness begins may have 20/200. In some cases, vision may be
enhanced by contrast and presentaion. For instance, if I were to serve a
person with 20/200 green peas on a green plate, they would have a difficult
time. Change that green plate to a white one, and they should be okay.
Translated to clay, white clay on a blue placemat, versus white clay on
white formica. There is a technique used to teach the blind called hand
under hand that I also think would serve you well. Suppose you are working
with a right handed person. Your position would be to the right of them.
Your hand is palm down while they rest their hand over yours with theirs
extended out one third of the way. During this exercise, you guide their
hand to points of interest while you provide them also with verbal
information. One should bear in mind that for the sighted, 80 percent of
learning comes from vision. I relate this to provide an understanding of a
blind person's need for verbal information. Also you can provide them with
auditory cues. If there is a tool on the table you want to direct their
attention to, you can indicate such verbal inforamation as to the item and
tap for where they would find that tool. Also, a person who is blind will
have been taught to organize themselves to know where they place an item and
will go back for that item at the last place they left it. So! These things
should not be picked up and placed elsewere without their being provided
such information. That being said, I would start where ever you begin with
your sighted students. While I have not taught intensive 3 to six week
workshops, I have done about 5 afternoon workshops and usually start with a
pinch pot and progress through to throwing. Three years ago, although with a
good deal of assistance, 17 blind kids rakued for the first time.
Vicki Hardin
http://VickiHardin.com
_____
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Les Elford
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 10:58 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Teaching a Blind Developmentally Disabled Student
Does anyone have any good Ideas they would share?
I just started another DD pottery class. One of my students is blind and
confined to a wheel chair.
Thanks from Les in the Big Sky Country
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