Introduction
Welcome parents of children with visual impairments! Welcome students, welcome teachers. Most of all, welcome fellow VIPs (Persons with a Visual Impairment)!
As a teacher who is legally blind and hard of hearing, I know first-hand how many challenges stand in our way on a daily basis. But I also know first-hand the reward of choosing to come out triumphant, no matter how many hurdles I have to jump to get there. For example, I graduated as valedictorian of my university in 2020.
I travel with a Leader Dog, read braille, listen through a cochlear implant, and use various assistive technologies to overcome challenges every day. When people told me “no” or “you can’t”, I chose to responded by proving them wrong and now, everywhere I go, my goal is to show those around me that any limitation can be overcome with dedication and a positive attitude. Of course, no one achieves solely on their own and I have had many wonderful people in my life to show me what a difference caring support makes. My journey is by no means over, so I’m committed to remaining a life-long learner to help me through each new chapter of life. When I work with other VIPs (kids or adults), I want them to see me and think, “If she can do it with her disabilities, I can too.”
As a teacher of the visually impaired who is visually impaired, I’m not just another teacher telling them they can do it, I am showing them by the way I choose to live. It is that spirit of empowerment that I want to share with my students, young and old alike. The disabilities they may have do not define them and don’t have to hold them back either. They are capable, loved, valuable, and worthy, made in the image of our awesome God. Once they come to know that themselves, there’s no stopping them from achieving their dreams!
Why Literacy – Page and Screen
There is no better way to empower children with the skills and attitudes they need to succeed than through literacy. Learning to read opens up a world of opportunities while stories let us discover who we are as people. I strive to inspire children with a genuine love of reading by showing them the richness of its worth for their lives, and the sheer fun of it too! I am constantly reading for my own pleasure and can’t wait to show others the pure joy of diving into a great story! As an experienced and regular reader of children’s literature, for my own enjoyment, if there is one impression I could leave on a student, it would be this, “Every book you pick up is an adventure to be embarked upon.” To rephrase what Bilbo Baggins said to Frodo, “It’s a dangerous business, opening up a book. You step into the page, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” (J.R.R. Tolkien)
Computer literacy is also central here as access to information can take many forms in our present digital age, so check out Assistive Technology resources from the category selector on the right sidebar.
I worked as the Braille Education Teacher at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina for three life-changing years and couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to promote literacy while serving the most amazing, inspiring, wonderful students in the world/. Go Chargers!
Governor Morehead School for the Blind
Though I will always dearly love each one I was blessed to teach, the next stage of my journey has begun. I now work as the Assistive Technology Instructor for the Wilmington District Office of the Division of Services for the Blind, equipping adults who have lost vision with the skills and encouragement to live fully, regardless of how much eyesight they may have.
My website is here to equip teachers, families, and VIP students with a stronger understanding of the challenges their students face along with resources to overcome them. Join with me in celebrating the power of accessible literacy, both on the page and on the computer, while inspiring every student to become their own success story, soaring for the stars with their own “I Can!” attitude.
Read More:
Guidelines for Effective Braille Reading
Top 3 Children’s Books for Teaching Kids to Embrace Diversity