Video Clips on Blindness Tips

By Sheny Hahn, Digital Leaming Coordinator

A component of WSSB's Strategic Plan is to increase the awareness and education of parents and the general public about blindness. In pursuit of this goal, WSSB has developed Video Clips On Blindness Tips. Short, suc­cinct videos designed to assist parents, those working with the blind, as well as blind individuals to learn a wide variety of skills that can help develop and foster independence.

The short educational videos, accessible via our website, www.wssb.wa.gov  (direct link: http://www.wssb.wa.gov/Content/offcampus/Video.asp) began with folding money, self-­medication techniques, and learning to pour liquids. Last year's focus was developed around Orientation and Mobility with a video on sighted guide techniques, white cane travel, locating the bus, room familiarization, or how to orient a blind person in an unfamiliar location, such as a new classroom. This year's focus will be on daily living skills and we've started off with how to match or label clothing. The next items for debut include tying shoes. Zippers and buttons will soon follow!

In order to serve as diverse an audience as possible we post each video as a video clip, a PowerPoint presenta­tion with pictures from the video, as well as a plain text document. We now include a resource list when appro­priate. With the White Cane Technique we were able to list several reputable sites to investigate various types of canes.

Over this and next school year we hope to have a collection of up to 20 titles and growing. Future titles will in­clude making your bed, folding your clothes, doing laundry, tips around the stove, signing your name/consistent signature, table settings, how to use a fork and knife, and cutting and slicing safely. The list might be endless but we feel the value is great.