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to have a visual impairment. See the person first,
not the blindness. I love it when friends leave me
in parking lots. They aren't being unthoughtful;
they are thinking of me, not blindness.
Literacy is important - braille and large print.
Reading is a key piece of life. Make it fun; find
ways to encourage students to read. Technology
allows [people with visual impairments] to lead a
normal life. Learn all you can to share with your
students.
Q: What advice do you have for students with visual impairments as they begin a new school
year?
Katie: Accept your blindness; the sooner
you do, the sooner those around you become
more comfortable. I make blind jokes about myself all the time, showing others I am comfortable
and that it isn't a big deal.
Read - you really are going to need it later
in life. Read about things you are interested in.
Use your technology; it will help you do the same
things your sighted peers do.
Q: What advice do you have for students with
visual impairments as they transition to life beyond school?
Katie: Nobody owes you a thing; the world
will not hand you anything. If you want something,
you should work hard so you can appreciate it. It
feels better to earn something than to accept a
handout. Play to your strengths, be flexible, and
continue to learn. Learning is lifelong. The only
time you stop learning is when you stop breathing.
