Stroll At Avalonia's Knox Preserve, Held In Conjunction With The Center Of The Blind

Opening Spaces: An Opportunity at the Groton Public Library

By Elanah Sherman

 

A workshop sponsored by our collaborative partner, South East Connecticut Community Center of the Blind, will enhance Avalonia’s capacity to improve accessibility for people who have, in the words of the announcement, hearing or/and vision loss. The event, open to the public and held in conjunction with the Helen Keller National Center in New York, will instruct participants on how to be “human guides,” navigational assistants who utilize techniques to help people move through environments. 

Human guiding for people with vision loss includes verbal techniques for helping people navigate such conditions as narrow passageways and obstacles. Regarding people with hearing loss, guiding skills incorporate how to choose and use accurate and understandable visual cues. And for those with combination vision and hearing loss, approaches are often based on tactile communication. 

Stroll at Avalonia's Knox Preserve, held in conjunction with the Center of the Blind
During a 2024 stroll at Knox Preserve held in conjunction with the Center of the Blind, participants either brought their own guides or pinch-hit with Avalonia members. A small cadre of trained volunteers would open up walks to more people who need guiding.

 

Issues such as autonomy and personal preference will undoubtedly be included in the presentation. (We’re all familiar with the stereotypical scenario of the blind person being dragged across the street by the sighted stranger, right? It’s not just a stereotype – it happens!)

Avalonia’s accessibility initiative has always been highly inclusive, embracing the concerns and experiences of people with different kinds of disabilities. This workshop will help us further our commitment to accessibility (and to education about the natural world) by training volunteers to safely and knowledgably guide more participants through our many programs, especially our popular walks and strolls. Please consider representing Avalonia at this important and valuable event! Admission is limited, so act soon.

Below is a link to the original program announcement. The program will take place on June 24 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. There is no charge. To register, please call the Center of the Blind at 860-447-2048. 

https://centeroftheblind.org/mc-events/human-guide-training/?mc_id=286