ISVI Happenings
August 10, 2007
Tips from ISVI’s Orientation and
Mobility Staff
Here, we stress ‘think beyond your cane tip!’ Meaning, don’t wait to bump into
something to start thinking; pair your senses and mind to anticipate. Pool all
sensory information as either verification of accuracy or proof of error. A
student who combines sensory and cognitive ability on campus may then progress
off campus.
Here are some approaches we use that may help you at home with your children:
- Walk with your child and evaluate the best route, explaining why some routes
are not acceptable. Look for routes that are direct, minimal street crossings,
and have crossing guards.
- Explain intersections, signs, and street markings along the chosen route.
- Explain your child’s vulnerability to cars backing out of driveways. The
child’s size and the awkward head position of the driver backing up leaves the
child vulnerable.
- If your child is under 10, walk with them or work out a trusted buddy system.
Children this age do not have the necessary attention span or judgment skills to
judge speed or distance of incoming traffic.
- Work on a slow and deliberate visual traffic scan looking left, right, and
left again. The child’s underdeveloped peripheral vision and natural blind spot,
his/her attention span limitations, combined with the environmental factors of
glare and the growing number of quiet hybrid cars, leaves them vulnerable if the
scan is sloppy.
- Explain to your child that even when everything is done right, the driver may
not. Be defensive and do not take for granted that the driver is focused and
will drive safely. Model responsibility yourself by minimizing cell phone use or
other multi-tasking when driving.
-By planning ahead, practicing travel routes, and observing your child apply
safety skills, you can maximize your child’s safety. Have a great school year!
Braille Sports Car Rally
Please mark September 29th in your calendar! It is The Braille Sports Car Rally
that is an annual event on the campus of ISVI. It begins at 1:00pm with Braille
or large print readers navigating a driver through a 40 mile course with three
checkpoints. All drivers and navigators will receive a certificate of
participation while members of the winning team receive a trophy. Everybody is
invited to attend this event. It is sure to be a very fun filled afternoon.
Also, the ISVI’s Parent Association is holding a flea market and craft sale in
conjunction with the Car Rally. One of the booths at the flea market will be
manned by the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind from Springfield. They will be
selling aids for the visually impaired. Please come and support our students,
vendors, and parent organization!
Recreation Activities off to a Great Start
Forty students participated in the first recreation activity of the new school
year. They ventured off to Knights Action Park in Springfield on a Saturday
afternoon. The weather was perfect for them to enjoy water slides, wave pools,
the lazy river, waterfalls, the wild river and more. Everybody who attended had
an amazing time! Needless to say, there were many tired students when they
returned to ISVI’s campus that evening. Also, a social was held in the ISVI
snack bar during the first week of school. Chips, dip and punch were enjoyed by
all students who attended.
Presentation Given by ISVI Staff
This summer, Mr. Josh Dugan and Mr. Dan Thompson gave an 8-hour presentation for
four O&M specialists from central and southern Illinois. Their presentation
focused on theory and knowing the dozens of combinations of buttons needed to
operate the Trekker (Global Positioning Satellite) GPS system, followed by
practical applications in residential/semi-business travel routes in
Jacksonville. This combination allowed them to experience the strengths and
weaknesses of this technology. Mr. Dugan and Mr. Thompson noted that this tool
is a help, but only when the user has a good conceptual base, good safety
skills, and ability to problem solve. The device can let you down through either
user input error or the system giving routes that are the quickest but not
necessarily the safest or most efficient. Mr. Dugan and Mr. Thompson spent a lot
of time planning this training. A big “Thank You” goes to both of them for
representing ISVI in such a positive manner.
Sport’s Stars at ISVI
This summer, two ISVI students participated in the International Blind Sports
Association (IBSA) 2007 World Youth Competition. The IBSA World Youth Student
Games is an international competition for athletes ages 12-19, who are blind or
visually impaired. Athletes competed in four sports that included track and
field, judo, swimming and goalball. There were more than 200 athletes that
participated from more than 20 countries. Some of the countries that were
represented were Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Australia, Austria, New
Zealand, Thailand, and many more. This year, the competition was held in
Colorado Springs, Colorado at the Olympic Training Center. Our two Illinois
athletes stayed at Colorado College in Colorado Springs where room and board was
provided. Coach Chambers and Coach Raabe worked with others to help to ensure
these two young people would be able to have the opportunity to participate. The
young lady as an ISVI participant attended the event with some participants that
were from the Missouri School for the Blind and while the young man from ISVI
attended the event with his Mother. This young man was in the swimming
competition where he did a fabulous job. He won silver medals for the 50 Free
Style, 100 Free Style, and 20 Free Style. He won a gold medal for the 400 Free
Style. Way to go, Eric!! ISVI's young lady participated in the track and field
portion of the competition. She ran the 60 Meter Dash, threw the shot put, and
ran in a relay. She had a great experience while having fun. She stated, “I
would love to do it again”! The ISBA Competition is held in a different country
every two years.
(Picture of Opening Day of School at the annual Flag-Raising Ceremony)