Opinion : Is our education important?

As a blind or visually impaired Iowan, I am bothered by the actions taken in the past decades to reduce the quality of education being offered to the blind and visually impaired children of this state. How many parents of blind and visually impaired children know there is a school for the blind in Iowa? How many public schools keep those kids in the school districts because of the funding they generate?

The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School has been serving the blind and visually impaired of Iowa since 1852. The school has had several names that indicate the nature of the school, but the most famous was the Iowa College for the Blind from 1872 to 1929. It was during this period 1882 to 1889 that Mary Ingals attended the school. The Iowa school has in the past been looked at as a leader in the education of the blind. The school had the largest Braille and large print library in the country and was looked to as an example by other states. Today through main streaming and cuts in programming the school has lost its place in the field of education.

Recently, alumni from the 1970's and 80's have had opportunities to associate with the blind and visually impaired of today. At this gathering, alumni reminisce of their education at Iowa Braille and tell of happenings while students listen and ask questions. Time after time we hear the same comments, “Gee, I wish I had known about the school.” With this comment we follow up with a question of our own, “Didn’t you enjoy making friends in your school?” followed by their response of “what friends, I didn’t have any real friends.” “What about all the opportunities of mixing or socializing with sighted peers or participating in marching band or school plays?” Most answer, “We were in band but not really accepted. In marching band we walked with sighted partners carrying the bands banner or a flag. Standing as part of the scenery is not the same as what you have told us about your school.”

Iowa Braille offered many activities to the students that would not have been available to them in the public schools, swimming, track and field, wrestling, cheer leading, and music contests. Many of the sporting events held in the public schools cannot be adapted to allow the totally blind to take part. Sports at Iowa Braille was tailored to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired. The track was setup with running wires along the straight-aways, long distance running was done with a partially sighted partner running in tandem. Wrestling was slightly altered to allow constant contact with the opponent. Events such as goal ball and beeper ball were specifically designed for the blind. The teams from the Iowa school would travel to surrounding states to compete in events with other blind and visually impaired people. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri each had teams. Also, each sport had a larger tournament that would bring other teams to compete on a regional level.

Recreational events offered many activities to the residential programming such as bike riding, swimming, bowling, and off campus activities such as camping and shopping. Several times, special teams of students and staff competed against celebrity event teams such as the local television stations, KWWL, KCRG, and WMT/KGAN. All events allowed the blind and visually impaired child to intermix with other children with similar disabilities to prove that they could overcome whatever fears they may have to better themselves.

Educational programming at the school was top quality as the teachers were dedicated to the needs of the students at the school. Class sizes were small, usually 8 to 10 students. This allowed all to be assisted and needs addressed. Over all the once proud school has been reduced to being administration for the state wide services for the blind, a program that keeps the blind and visually impaired in their home school district where their specific needs are only addressed by para educators and teachers of the blind and visually impaired who travel the state to spend time with the student on a weekly basis rather than allowing them to attend a school were the teachers are there every day working with the student throughout the school day.

Those pushing for the closer of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School are throwing numbers around that refer to each student costing Iowans $250,000 to be educated on the campus. What they are not telling anyone is that the numbers at the school are being reduced and forced to remain low by turning those wishing to attend away. Parents no longer have the choice as parents. Instead, school district administration, Area Education Agencies, Department of Education and other educators force parents to remain in the home school district. The system is closing the school to align with their beliefs not because the school is no longer needed.

There are several national conferences for the blind held annually were it is clear that the current education system is overlooking the important needs of the blind and visually impaired. No longer can young adults travel without the use of sighted guides or special assistants and no longer do those young adults read Braille or have proper social skills. Taxpayers are not forced to pay for adult education at special centers were young adults who are blind or visually impaired receive that training once thought to be so important to know as children. Don’t believe the stories the educational system is telling you today because as blind and visually impaired experts we know the real truths.

It is a shame that our education system has allowed this failure in education and that no matter how we protest that continued neglect of the true educational needs and potential of our blind and visually impaired. Today it is the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School tomorrow it will be the Iowa School for the Deaf and then our local school districts as we allow those calling themselves experts in educational needs to continue downward trends in education.

Iowa Braille School Alumni Association

Stephanie Hunolt

Reader Comments:

This excellent letter should be sent to EACH REGENT !! What a shame that money is their only concern.