Our Mission:“To serve as a resource for families, professionals, schools and organizations in meeting the needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.”
Category:Single Day Session
Project Overview:Children went sled riding at a local sledding hill.
Rationale:In order to gain a complete concept of sled-riding, a child who is blind or visually impaired benefits from hands-on experience.
Expanded Core Curriculum Areas Addressed:Recreation and Leisure Skills, Social Interaction Skills, Orientation and Mobility, Self Determination
Description:The children met at the Blind Association in the morning where they enjoyed lunch and explored several different styles of sleds, visually and tactually, as they waxed the bottoms. Once the sleds were prepared and the children bundled up, we headed to a local sled-riding hill. At the hill, the chaperones described the area to the children. They had the opportunity to walk down the hill first to experience just how long and steep it was. Initially each child rode down the hill with a sighted partner. This individual helped orient the child as he/she traveled back up the hill. Eventually the children had the option to go down the hill alone. Sighted chaperones at the top and bottom of the hill monitored the area as needed and indicated when it was safe for the next group of sledders to go down. Hot chocolate and snacks were available in a nearby building so the children could take a break and warm up as needed.
Result:Sled riding provides children with exercise and fun. Children who are blind and visually impaired benefit from engaging in this activity in a safely monitored environment.
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