Recreation and Leisure for Visually Impaired Students TETN #31688 January 9, 2009 Presented by Mark Gronquist, Recreation Director Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired [email protected] Name your favorite recreation/leisure activities when you were growing up and now. Which ones of these activities might not be appropriate for someone who is visually impaired? Did you play a team sport? What sport? Who introduced you to the activities in which you participated (e.g., parent, teacher, coach, friend)? Have you developed friendships or employment connections from engaging in these activities? TSBVI TETN 31688 – Recreation and Leisure Mark Gronquist 1 Successful Recreational and Physical Activities for Children who are Visually Impaired Mark Gronquist, Recreation Director [email protected] Mark has 20 years of experience working with visually impaired students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Welcome & Introductions TSBVI offers a wide range of recreation and leisure activities. Visually impaired students enjoy the same activities as non-visually impaired students, however, some recreational and leisure activities are more successful than others. What are the best physical, social and recreational activities for children who are visually impaired? What activities are currently available at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired? What makes them work? Physical: Goal Ball, Beep Ball, tandem biking, running and walking, bicycle spin classes, Yoga, swimming and water games, water aerobics, basketball, rowing, kayaking/ canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding, dance classes, cardio/weights, nature walks and more… Team sports: Goal Ball, Beep Ball, Tandem biking, Rowing, Cheerleading, Pep Squad, Step Club Social: Ham radio, campus radio, drumming, field trips, Mad Science Class, computer classes, shopping, dances, parties, movies, restaurants, book clubs, craft classes, school newspaper, gardening/making planters, poker Nights, Bingo, Debate Club, beauty classes, American Idol, House Party 101, Photographs, plays, board games, community activities, Music Mania, Friday Night Jam, water games, Austin Zoo, volunteering TSBVI TETN 31688 – Recreation and Leisure Mark Gronquist 2 Easy to reproduce at home: Tandem biking, running and walking, bicycle spin classes, Yoga, swimming & water games, water aerobics, basketball, rowing, kayaking/ canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding, dance classes, music classes, cardio/weights, gardening How can we make it happen? Get staff, community and volunteers involved in activities that they are experts in and enjoy Individualize the activity to the student's interest Offer choices Give positive reinforcement Keep their interest Find ways to reward, motivate and encourage participation Motivate students to build good habits for life and form habits early Talk about the benefits Maximize students' independence and self-esteem Create excitement in students For the past two years, participation in after school classes has been required or “mandatory”. Classes begin when school adjourns each day and end at curfew: Students participate in class for nine weeks. They are offered choices in which they have an interest, and they are exposed to new activities and encouraged to explore new interests. TSBVI TETN 31688 – Recreation and Leisure Mark Gronquist 3 Some Resources: USABA The United States Association of Blind Athletes serves as the national representative of all US blind athlete members to US Paralympic and to the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) for those sports that are part of the Paralympics. Running Eyes for the Blind - Austin, Texas-based recreational organization that has established a network of sighted volunteers who partner with blind and visually impaired members to participate in a variety of athletic events. National Beep Baseball Association - Rules of the game, history and contacts for this form of baseball developed for blind and visually impaired individuals; organization is based in the United States. American Blind Skiing Association - Volunteer organization that provides blind children and adults opportunities to build confidence and independence through skiing. Includes photographs and newsletter. International Blind Sports Federation - Association history, competition results, articles and sports-specific rules and contacts. Recreation for the Blind: http://www.99main.com/~charlief/vi/recreation.html Blind Reader’s Page: Sports, Games and Recreation: http://blindreaders.info/sports.html TSBVI TETN 31688 – Recreation and Leisure Mark Gronquist 4
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