Parents and students of the Kentucky School for the Blind will have a chance in Bowling Green to experience hands-on activities to assist students in becoming self-sufficient.

The second annual Eye Can Derby is 9 to 11 a.m. April 29 at Phil Moore Park, 7101 Scottsville Road in Alvaton.

The free event will be arranged in stations focusing on the expanded core curriculum content, including assistive technology, compensatory skills, recreation and leisure skills, independent living skills, career education, orientation and mobility, self-determination, social interaction and sensory efficiency, said Wendy Strode, KSB regional outreach consultant.

“It’s important for them to understand their eye condition, to build their self-advocacy skills and to know that they can be successful,” Strode said. “They can do whatever they want to do in life regardless of their eye condition.”

Strode said expanded core curriculum skills are essential for the blind and visually impaired to be successful in school. This will allow them to take everything in their toolbox and no matter their visual acuity, they can be successful in all aspects of their life, she said.  

Representatives from the Kentucky Office of the Blind, Leader Dog, KSB Charitable Foundation, KSB Low Vision Clinic, Lab Computers Inc., Visually Impaired Preschool Services and other organizations will be at the event.

“It’s a great time for us to meet the students and the parents as well to see what the students want to do when they get out of school,” said Mitsy Knight, Kentucky Office of the Blind vocational rehab counselor. “Sometimes the parents aren’t aware of what’s out there, and it’s like they can get to see everybody all at once.”

Knight said the event allows for several organizations to come together and to make sure children are independent. The students will participate in several demonstrations and learn about various technologies available for the blind and low vision.

KSB low vision specialist Connie Hill will be doing cooking activities with all the kids to help them become more familiar with kitchen appliances. They will make cake-in-a-mug and nachos-in-a-mug by using a microwave, smoothies in a blender and cinnamon toast in a toaster.

“I was asked to do a cooking class to teach kids how to be more independent and be more confident in using a microwave, toaster and blender to help with their skills in the kitchen,” Hill said. “This is to show the students ‘yes, I can do this’ and not be afraid to use the appliances.”

Participants must register for the event by April 12 by downloading the form and returning it to Wendy Strode at wendy.strode-ross@ksb.kyschools.us or to a teacher of students with visual impairments. High school students, college students, teachers and others interested in working with blind or visually impaired students are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided.

“This (event) gives students a chance to meet with other students that are like them, gives all the kids an opportunity to work on skills that they never had a chance to work on and something new to learn,” Hill said.

— For more information, contact KSB Outreach Consultant Wendy Strode at wendy.strode-ross@ksb.kyschools.us.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone C. Payne on Twitter at twitter.com/_SimonePayne or visit bgdailynews.com.