Putnam County High School (PCHS) Service Leadership students visited the Georgia Academy for the Blind (GAB) on Nov. 8 to provide educational and interactive games and activities. Activities included the use of Braille, sensory involvement such as sound and touch, and an opportunity for GAB students to interact with their sighted peers in a collaborative and fun environment.
This year’s PCHS Service Leadership class, taught by Rebekah Esau, was inspired by her co-teacher Ravi Hudson. Being blind herself, Hudson has sparked all kinds of new ideas and considerations during her time with these up-and-coming student leaders.
October was World Blindness Awareness Month, and while planning and preparing for their GAB visit, the PCHS Service Leadership students spent time learning about accessibility, the basics of Braille, and how to be safe and effective sighted guides.
“The students now have a deeper understanding of the great abilities blind people have as well as the deep misconceptions that some with sight might possess,” Esau said.
Georgia Academy for the Blind is a boarding/ day school in Macon for children who are blind. GAB Superintendent Cindy Gibson and Transition Specialist Patricia Hendrix welcomed the partnership with PCHS from inception to fruition.
“We were excited to participate in such a great experience,” Hendrix said.
Beyond planning interactive games and activities for GAB students, the PCHS Service Leadership students also conducted a school-wide hygiene drive during Homecoming week in preparation for their trip. They collected hundreds of products to donate to GAB students, as well as to Day Break Homeless Services and the Crisis Line & Safe House of Macon.
During their trip to Macon, the PCHS students also stopped at each location and heard about each organization’s resources, services, and volunteer opportunities.