So the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind trip was a lot like I expected it to be. There isn't too much difference between the blind and the deaf departments at the school other than the fact that they treat the different sensory loss. Since I spent so much time in the deaf side, I didn't find much to report about it.
One thing I will say is that it seems too extreme for Savannah's current vision issues although she would definitely benefit from the program. The other three children that would be in her class are either completely blind or legally blind and are reading full Braille, with the help of the teacher and the full time aide. That said, she would run circles around the other students, and that could possibly cause some major issues in the classroom. They would also start her in learning braille, which could be a good thing in case she ever did need it in the future, whether by choice (IE career field) or as a way to read personally.
So right now we are not filling out any paperwork or anything.... in part because I wonder if she really is eligible for attending.... she does meet at least part of the enrollment criteria (A progressive loss of vision which may affect the applicant's ability to function in an academic setting), but I am not convinced that she meets the criteria that states that there is documented functional vision loss which;
• Inhibits optimal processing of information through the vision channel, and,
• Requires the use of specialized techniques, textbooks, materials or equipment.
In order to attend she has to meet both sets of criteria.
What we are doing right now is looking into the public school system and what they have to offer at this time or in the future to accommodate Savannah. We are also trying to get her set up with the Division of Blind Services, specifically the Childhood area, so that we can find out more of the programs offered in the local area, including the parent support groups etc.
All in all, if it wasn't for the fighting over the silly patch, I still think that I could teach my kid a whole lot better than anyone else.... but that patch just causes so much tension and it is too easy to let it get to me and then carry it over to the non-school, non-patch time.
Oh and Karen, Rick Coleman said to tell you hi. He was our tour guide, and though I recognized him he didn't really remember me. He did remember you and reiterated several times how grateful he always was that you would explain the lab to the parents when he brought them around. When I told him you were in Hawaii though he didn't feel too sorry for you.
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2 comments:
That's great that you got to FSDB to see what they had for Savannah. I agree that she might have too much vision for the situation. I, too, think if it weren't for the patch issue, you could teach her just as well at home. Surely there must be a program like Ski-Hi for the visually impaired where they'd come to your house and help you make any needed adjustments. They might have some helpful hints regarding the patch, etc. And thanks for relaying Rick's HI! He loved to show off the lab and I always was happy to accommodate him.
After reading a bit about the Blind services, does Savannah have a bilateral impairment? Her left eye is what - 20/200? What's her right? Their site says she has to have a bilateral impairment. Regarding the latter two FSDB criteria, I think she definitely meets the first one. Re: the 2nd one - when you're teaching her, does she seem to need any modifications? I know she has a certain way about her when she walks around that she kind of protects her face somewhat, undoubtedly because she has run into a few things. Just how much she can see with each eye you would know much better than I. Just some input for ya.
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