Blind and low vision children from across Melbourne have learned some valuable skills over the school holidays.
Held over three days in mid-January, the Melbourne School Holiday program focussed on supporting children aged eight to 12 years-old to learn through play.
More than 10 children took part in the inaugural program, which made use of Vision Australia’s state-of-the-art Kensington precinct.
“We’re fortunate to have the Sensory Room and the Leigh Garwood Mobility Training Centre at Kensington, which were the perfect environment to hold the school holiday program,” Emma Wilce, Vision Australia regional business manager Melbourne Inner South East, said.
Participants in the holiday program made use of the sensory room at Kensington, which helps with the development of communication and motor skills.
They also planned and cooked a pizza lunch, making use of the mobility training centre as a simulation activity so the children could purchase their ingredients from a shop. They then used Vision Australia equipment including the Talking Microwave Convection Oven to cook their food.
“The program consisted of the sorts of things that many children might take for granted as holiday activities,” Emma said.
“Children who are blind or have low vision can participate in those, but they might just need some support on how to approach the challenges their vision presents. Using the mobility centre allows us to mimic walking to the shops and educate them about road safety and then using our facilities we can show them some techniques and equipment to make the kitchen accessible,” she said.
During the program participants also tried their hands at goalball, one of the few sports designed specifically for people who are blind or have low vision.
“Sport is important for a number of reasons, including developing motor, communication and social skills, as well as being healthy,” Emma said.
“Goalball is a great way for our clients to do that and it’s also a sport that can be played by both people who are blind or have low vision or who are sighted.”
Given the success of the program, a similar opportunity is being planned for the Easter school holidays.
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