Visually impaired students' life outside the classroom

The school experience for any child extends outside of the classroom. But if that student is can't see, often the opportunities in school are limited. That’s why a nonprofit that's an extension of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is giving those students a lesson in extracurricular activities.

News 8 Austin’s Paul Brown spoke with Gloria Bennett, the coordinator of All Blind Children of Texas.

Q: What's the idea behind forming All Blind Children of Texas?

A: The nonprofit started because we feel that all blind children should have a sense of pride and self-worth, and our mission is to try and advance the optimal development of blind and visually impaired children. We know that many blind children get a great education, but they don’t get an opportunity to experience outside the classroom things like drama, art and music and sports. Those are the things that give a child a challenge and give the self-confidence to overcome and participate.

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All Blind ChildrenWatch the complete interview with Gloria Bennett.
Q: How far is this outreach?

A: We would like to reach all 7,000 blind and visually impaired children in Texas. The Texas School for the Blind is in contact and serves all those children in some way, either directly or through our outreach department. We are surveying with parents and professionals to find out what they want their students to have.

Q: What do the kids tell you about their experiences in these extracurricular activities?

A: We know for a fact that these can be really life-changing experiences. One student who is visually impaired and autistic, and he participated in our drama program and was in our spring play two years in a row. It brought him some rewards and showed him he is more capable than he ever knew he could ever be. At the end of opening night he went to his drama teacher and said, “This was the best day of my life. I hope it never ends.” The self-confidence he got has extended over into his everyday life.

Q: Tell us what to expect at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired as it becomes 150 years old!

A: We are planning to celebrate our 150th anniversary in a big way. We’re going to have activities during the year, and we welcome Austin to come participate. One of our major efforts is to bring a museum of blindness to Austin. It opens in August and September 2006. It comes from the American Printing House for the Blind. It’s called “In Touch with Knowledge: The Education of Blind People.”