Information about services for visually-impaired students in Gwinnett County: gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
While many schools have a tradition of sponsoring career fairs, the one that took place at Parkview High in Gwinnett on Nov. 6 was a first. The goal was the same as any other event of its kind: to introduce students to possible career paths after graduation. But this event brought together professionals and students who already shared a common tie: All were visually impaired.
The inspiration to bring together working professionals with limited sight skills and students who have the similar vision challenges came out of a conference attended by Danita Snulligan, a 9-year Gwinnett orientation and mobility specialist. After hearing how one speaker, business owner VaShaun Jones, employed technology in his daily life, Snulligan invited him to meet with the 15 teachers who work with visually-impaired students.
“He told us about how advances in technology, especially the iPad, provide different apps that help him in so many ways,” said Snulligan. “As teachers, we address academic skills with technology and braille, and we work with other instructors to adapt the curriculum. We also teach expanded core curriculum that covers others skills sighted people take for granted - how to count money, label clothes and safe travel - how to get from A to B. Now we can teach students to use their smart phones to get an Uber driver.”
After graduation, many students have the ability to travel safely, but as Snulligan asked, “What happens when they get to B? I realized I wanted blind people who are walking the walk to talk to my students so they can learn about options open to them.”
The fair was open to visually-impaired students from around the county. About two dozen attended, including eight from Parkview and a contingent from Trickum Middle. Along with Jones, 20 area professionals from a variety of career fields volunteered to spend a morning at the fair where students had about 15 minutes face time with at least half the participants.
“We had contractors, web designers, people who owned their own businesses, journalists - a nice variety,” said Snulligan. “During their time with the presenters, students got their emails so they can contact them in the future, which encourages mentor/mentee relationships. But my overall hope was to change their perspective on what they can do. I wanted them to know that by being connected to the right resources and people, they can do whatever they want.”
Peggy Bergman, a teacher for the visually-impaired at Parkview, thought the concept of a fair was a terrific way for her nine students to learn about the training and adaptive tools visually-impaired can access to succeed in the working world.
“The more speakers they got to interact with, the more excited they became at the possibilities that were literally in front of them,” she said. “The range of careers was awesome, but the engagement made it real in a way that reading about it or having someone who is not visually impaired tell you about it was very different. As teachers, we tell students what is possible, but to actually engage in conversation with someone who is a visually-impaired professional at an upper level is fabulous. I know my kids are really excited to have it happen again next year.”
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