Fall 2007 Table of Contents
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)

A Quest for Focus: Lubbock’s Ninth Annual Family Conference

By Christina Weller, Blind Children’s Specialist, Division for Blind Services, Amarillo, TX

Abstract: The author highlights a family conference held in West Texas that gave family members the opportunity to gain insight and experience on expanded core curriculum areas for students who are visually impaired.

Keywords: Family Wisdom, blind, visually impaired, family training, expanded core curriculum, core services

“This conference seemed to open all our eyes to the fact that we can accomplish more as a family unit than we can by ourselves.”

“This conference has brought our family closer together and that has been such a relief. I feel that if I had not attended that my husband may still feel that it is something that he is not 100% a part of.”

“We really enjoyed this conference. My other child was able to learn more about how vision loss really affects life. Terrific training.”

These are just a few of the comments received from the Ninth Annual Family Conference, A Quest for Focus, which was held in Lubbock last spring. Over 300 blind and visually impaired children, teenagers, and family members participated in this unique hands-on opportunity to gain knowledge about blindness and to learn about the skills and techniques that help people who are blind be productive and independent.

The program featured 16 sessions that ran concurrently throughout the day, and during the program simulators were available that allowed parents and siblings to personally experience each child’s particular visual condition. These sessions were designed to give parents and siblings multiple opportunities to learn about various low vision and non-visual techniques for independent living. For example:

Future chefs had the opportunity to learn adaptive techniques to prepare and eat food;
Parents learned practical skills to help their children become better organized;
The families enjoyed a fun and unique O&M lesson by traveling through obstacles, including tunnels where everyone had to get on their knees and crawl; and
The conference participants explored practical ways to identify money and manage their personal finances.

To the glee of the parents, one session was devoted to techniques that will enable their blind or visually impaired children to perform all kinds of chores around the house (sorry, kids). Another session delved into the mysteries of the Davinci...oops, sorry...the Braille code. Who knew it could be so easy!

And don’t we all love those devices that make our lives easier? Consumers and family members were able to compare and contrast a wide array of low vision devices that ranged from over-the-counter devices to prescription items. Additionally, the conference was a great opportunity for everyone to see some of the more high tech devices such as computer access utilizing screen enlargement, screen reading software, and notetaking devices. Families were also able to examine several low tech adaptive devices that can be useful for individuals with orthopedic and cognitive challenges as well as visual disabilities. It is amazing what is available at your local hardware, discount, or toy store!

This is all good for the here and now, but what about the future? Well, one session gave participants the opportunity to identify their strengths and assets while learning ways to plan for the future by developing transition notebooks and personal resumes.

What about dating, relationships, or even marriage? Yes, there was even a session on building important social and relationship skills. Families even had the opportunity to learn grooming skills, make-up application, and the importance of appearance for social and vocational success.

And what about recreational skills, you ask? Conference participants had the opportunity to express their artistic creativity utilizing clay, drawing with different types of textures and mediums, weaving, and collage. Families also had the opportunity to compete in sporting activities and games that were adapted for blind and visually impaired individuals.

The conference ended on an upbeat note with a panel of young adult consumers who inspired families by recounting their experiences and successes in high school, college, and work.

The conference was an overwhelming success! Families were able to gain new skills and knowledge, and they had the opportunity to network with the parents and siblings of children with similar disabilities.

Kindness is the language the deaf hear and the blind see. - Mark Twain

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Last Revision: December 11, 2007