Description of ABCTX
Children learn how to walk up stairs by observing others. Blind children can't do that. For most of us the strongest learning mode is visual. Children who are blind or visually impaired have unique educational needs that sighted children don't. In addition to the core curricular subjects that all students must learn to receive an adequate education — English, math, social studies — blind students must be taught an expanded core curriculum that includes areas that sighted children learn through observation and imitation — dressing, grooming, cooking, traveling from place to place safely. In addition, educational areas such as technology, art, music, drama, vocational, geometry, must be provided in a hands-on approach, emphasizing personal experiences geared to each students' level and capacity. The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin, Texas, has been the major source of many of these specific programs for children from throughout Texas in it's school year, short-term and summer programs.
Provide funding from alternative sources such as grants and donations assure the continuation and expansion of these types of programs. These unique and specific needs must be met by people who are specially trained and experienced to assess and provide them — this requires money. ABC of Texas can be a positive and effective supporting organization.
All Blind Children of Texas was created in the spring of 2004 to assess the educational opportunities of blind students in Texas and help provide programs, services and materials that will fill in the gaps in both core and expanded curricular areas. Board of Trustees of the 501(c)3 organization is comprised of experts in the field of education of the visually impaired, including several who are blind themselves. It works closely with the administrative staff of the state school for the blind to monitor the needs of the 7000 visually impaired Texas students.
Areas For ABCTX Support
- music instruments
- drama experiences
- arts camp
- technology training and supplies
- parent education
- outreach to local schools
- enrichment activities
- sports and recreation opportunities
- survey of needs of visually impaired children
- community awareness
- support of TSBVI's programs