National Federation of the Blind of Alabama
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And the Winners Are: (Photos of Winning Class) |
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WHAT'S THE PRIZE? A $100 prize was awarded to the winning fifth grade team ($25 savings account to each winning team member), with the most practical and creative invention or service project that would help a blind person be more independent in school, home, place of work, or community. Projects could be a new invention, a modification or improvement to an already existing product, a plan to serve a blind person that leads to community integration, or any idea that allows a blind person to be less restricted because of blindness. Projects were judged on October 28, 2005 by Michael Jones, Ryan Jones and Collin Frase; members of the National Federation of the Blind of Alabama (NFBA). WHY HOLD THE COMPETITION? As part of "Meet the Blind Month" the NFBA selected Wrights Mill elementary school in Auburn, Alabama to participate in an experimental learning opportunity for its fifth grade students. The experience is designed to help students use their creative thinking skills in a commonsense approach to help solve everyday problems that a blind person may encounter. The goal of this competition is to teach students about blindness and the ability of people to succeed at any task no matter the obstacles encountered. Additionally, students learned about occupations that provide service to people who are blind and about the contributions of notable blind leaders. The competition also helped students gain valuable skills in teamwork and critical thinking. The NFBA, in addition to awarding the cash prize to the winning classroom, also presented programs about blindness to the elementary school students, including demonstrations of Braille and technology that helps blind people. CONTACT: J. Michael Jones Phone: (334) 501-2001 Email: blindmike@mindspring.com www.nfbofalabama.org |