Project Independence Opens a World of Possibility for Blind Kids
Summer 2006

 How independent can blind people be? Do blind people go to school, work, and do all the things sighted people do? How do blind people get around and get things done? These are just some of the questions blind and visually impaired kids often wonder about.

This summer, from July 23rd through July 27th, eleven blind and visually impaired kids aged 6 through 13 will explore the answers to these questions and more during Project Independence while living in Selleck Hall on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Project Independence is coordinated by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and supported with funding from the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children and Delta Gamma, a sorority dedicated to "doing good" and service to blind people.

Blind and visually impaired children often lack opportunities for interaction with other blind and visually impaired kids their own age or positive older role models with whom they can learn about blindness and how to deal with the frustrations caused by blindness. Prevailing societal attitudes tend to minimize the capabilities of blind people and lower expectations for their success in life. Consequently, blind and visually impaired children generally have lower self-esteem and lag behind their sighted peers in terms of life experiences and opportunities.

Project Independence opens a door of opportunity not available to many blind and visually impaired kids. The importance of using the alternative skills of blindness for independence is stressed during their week together. Travel skills with a white cane are put into practice as they tour a museum, enjoy a movie at a theater, go for a hike in Pioneer Park, and go swimming. While some are working on Braille and learning about technology and how blind people can use power tools safely, others are preparing lunch for everyone during daily visits to the Nebraska Center for the Blind, a comprehensive training program in the alternative skills of blindness for blind adults operated by the Commission.

Participants in Project Independence also have the opportunity to shadow blind and visually impaired teenagers in WAGES (Work And Gain Experience in the Summer) as they go about their jobs with various employers located around Lincoln. During one evening get together, participants in both programs talk about what it means to be blind and succeed in life. WAGES is a summer work experience program for blind and visually impaired youth coordinated by the Commission.

Group discussions are held throughout the program focused on blindness and how to deal with the world effectively as blind people. This is often the only time the kids have to talk among themselves or other older blind role models about the things that concern them most.

"Given positive role models and opportunities to experience life on every level, there is no reason why blind kids can't set their goals as high as anyone else," says Nancy Flearl, co-program manager of Project Independence along with Connie Daly. "These kids are great. You know they're going to do well just watching them."

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