what would you like to know...

[phisigprincess]

What would you like to know about being a teacher of the blind and visually impared?? I'm trying to write a feature about my mom's profession. She teaches blind and visually impared children how to orient themselves to the world by walking with a cane, how to read Braille, etc. etc. If you were to read this feature, is there anything you'd be interested to find out? I CAN'T FIND AN ANGLE FOR THIS STORY!!!! AHHHH!!!! Thanks for your help.

 

[Rajah]

How they know where they're going and how they keep track of where they are.

There's a blind man here in the office and I was walking behind him this morning wondering that very thing. Do they count steps so they know how far they are from the door they're trying to reach?

I think it's an interesting topic.

 

[Talking Hands]

I would like to know why she choose that profession? What are the benefits and what are the frustrations? If she had to do it over again would she make the same choice? If she has been doing it for a long time what are the improvements she has seen over the years?

 

[klmklm]

the affect of recent technology, both good and bad
for example, the prevalence of the internet/e-mail in our society, does that exclude the visually impaired, or do they have good technology to read it aloud, etc.
what about upc codes? can a blind person carry a upc reader that will read out the information?
another example: some of the street crossing signs in my town chirp and warble, depending on whether they are showing walk or don't walk.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How much do you get paid for a profession like that? How many hours do you put in? Is it a female dominated profession?
Are the schools they go to private? How much profit do these schools make over what the teachers get paid?

Knowing what she knows now, how would she change how things operate? Is there a "better" way to educate the blind?

What job opportunites are available to the visually impaired? Does the school have special programs to help older children enter the workforce?

How about the use of animals for the blind?

Who are the top doctors? What surgeries do these kids get? How do you "know" you are getting good care? (That question is inspired by my former neighbor who has a blind child, from birth.)

Good Luck and I hope you find your angle!

 

[jennyl772003]

As the mom of a visually impaired child, I am always interested in hearing about adaptive technologies.