School for the Blind Open House to Demonstrate Techniques and Technology Feb. 19

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Jennifer Ratliff demonstrates braille reading skills at the Oklahoma School for the Blind's open house in Feb. 2009.

Oklahoma School for the Blind Teacher Ruby Barker helps Perry Harlan use software to read the text on his computer screen.

MUSKOGEE, Okla. − The Oklahoma School for the Blind Parent Teacher Organization will host the school’s sixth annual open house and tour on Feb. 19 in Muskogee. The free event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the OSB Campus located at 3300 Gibson.

Students and teachers will continue with regular classroom activities as the public, vision care professionals and elected officials stop by to observe the latest techniques and technology used to educate students who are blind and visually impaired.

“We make sure visitors see the expanded core curriculum that is unique to our school. Braille, abacus, orientation and mobility training, adaptive physical education and demonstrations of assistive technology and independent living skills,” Parent Teacher Organization President Linda Graber said. “These services are not available at this comprehensive level at any other program in the state.”

Graber, who is the grandmother of a blind student named Sara, moved to Haskell and makes the daily 40 mile round trip to ensure that her granddaughter receives the educational accommodations she needs.

“Independent living skills training, such as cooking or handling money, for example, are also very important because they help students learn tasks that make them self-sufficient in the real world,” Graber said. “There is little time in public schools for blind students to be instructed in these areas. So helping students adjust becomes the responsibility of parents, who also turn to OSB for help.

In addition to operating accredited, on campus educational programs for residential and commuter students, the Oklahoma School for the Blind is the statewide resource offering information and services to students attending other schools, their families, teachers of visually impaired and other interested individuals,

Jeanne Meyer retired from OSB, but returns most days to volunteer

“Qualified staff from the outreach department provide free student evaluations, in-service training for teachers and recommendations for classroom modifications and special equipment needed by students to reach their full potential,” Meyer said. “It is our hope that everyone who tours our campus will have a greater knowledge of what OSB has to offer.”

To arrange a tour or get additional information, contact Linda Graber at lgraber@osb.k12.ok.us  or Jeanne Meyer jmijer@yahoo.com  or phone the Oklahoma School for the Blind toll free number at 877-229-7136.

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