Serving girls with visual impairments

by Betty Hunt

When developing program for girls who are visually impaired, it is important to note that girls with the same degree of vision loss will probably not be able to see at the same level. This means that girls with the same degree of visual loss will have different learning needs. Other things that impact learning are degrees of loss (partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, totally blind), kind of loss (central vision loss, tunnel vision, cloudy vision, distorted or blurred vision) and when the loss of vision occurred.

Visual impairments occur in a wide range and since no two Girl Scouts with visual impairments are identical there is no one-way of treating them. Focus on Ability -Serving Girls with Special Needs, available in the shop, is a GSUSA publication, which has information about Visual Impairment, characteristics and adaptations. This resource will provide a leader with activities to help girls in the troop understand various impairments and how to modify the scout program to make sure that each girl receives benefit.

Selected Girl Scout program resources are available in Braille and large print from Braille International. Titles include: Junior Girl Scout Badge Book, Safety Wise and STUDIO 2B Guide for Advisors. For more information contact: Braille International, 3290 S.E. Slater Street, Stuart, Florida 34997, 772-286-8366 extension 202.

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“Living With 10- to 15-Year Olds”
A Workshop for Parents

Adolescence is a confusing, exciting, and challenging time for youth and parents alike. This critical and unique period of growth is complicated by our society’s accepted myths about adolescence and our lack of attention to this age group–which has seen a 400% increase in suicide and 700% more children in therapy in the past 15 years.
Promoting the healthy development of adolescents and their families is the underlying theme of “Living With 10- to 15-Year Olds,” a collaborative effort among the Center for Early Adolescence, the Mental Health Association of North Carolina, the National Mental Health Association, and GSUSA. The curriculum of this workshop provides insights, information, resources, and skills to help you interact more positively with adolescents, whether it’s in your family, Girl Scout activities, or other youth-serving organizations.
Some of the many topics which will be discussed include: Characteristics of Adolescents; Confusing Behavior of Adults & Adolescents; Who’s In Control; Effective Listening; How Parents Express Their Needs; When to Negotiate; Listening to Feelings; Bridges to Teen Talking; Risk Taking Behaviors & Personal Values; What Parents Can Do; Adolescent Sexuality; Why It’s Hard to Talk to Them About Sex; and many more. This is one training you don’t want to miss, for your children’s benefit and your own!

When: Saturday, February 5, 9 am – 5 pm
Deadline: January 22, 2005
Where: Girl Scout Center – 3110 Southwest Freeway
Course: #5013
Cost: $10 per person
Bring: Paper, pencil, and lunch. Snacks provided. Soft drinks available ($0.60 each).
Who : Any adult. Husbands and wives are encouraged to attend together. Due to the nature of this training, children may not be present and there are no facilities for their supervision.
Min./Max.: 10/50