From clothespin to Braille

The day, which began with a class hour devoted to visual hygiene, was continued by sixth-graders of the capital’s school No. 3 with an excursion. They were met at the Rassvet enterprise after classes, where blind and visually impaired residents of Tiraspol work, and at the Republican Sports Rehabilitation and Recovery Center for the Disabled, where people with visual impairments spend their leisure time. The excursion was dedicated to the month of the white cane, which takes place in the constituency No. 28 in Tiraspol. The idea of introducing schoolchildren to the life of people who have lost their sight belongs to the deputy of the Supreme Council for the district Ilona Tyuryaeva.

Director Tatyana Novikova told schoolchildren that the simplest and most familiar things in everyday life at the Rassvet UPP are done by people who have lost their sight. The company has been engaged in the labor rehabilitation of visually impaired people and creates jobs for blind people for almost 80 years. About 30 people work here now.

The head of the stamping and cord section and one of the elders of the enterprise Leonid Levintsa showed the guests what and how clothespins, hangers and electrical extension cords are made of. He said that every detail and every stage of production has its own significance and their quality affects the final product. Sixth-graders were able to try making products themselves under the guidance of experienced assemblers. It was a discovery for many of them that a blind person could work fully.

After the production was the second part of the excursion to the Republican Sports Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled. The sports and leisure center for people with disabilities was opened just a couple of years ago. There is a large library with books printed in Braille for the visually impaired and blind. Schoolchildren were shown there how to “read” with their hands and write without seeing the letters.

The school No.3 schoolchildren tried to play the game showdown (tennis by ear) and felt how blind and visually impaired people play in the sports center. This gym has a strong focus on inclusivity and accessibility for all. The machines are adapted for different mobility limitations, allowing everyone to find a suitable activity. People with special needs can learn new sports there, strengthen their body and spirit, and most importantly, they can feel part of the sports community, despite physical limitations.

Sixth-graders from school No. 3 shared their impressions after the end of the educational day dedicated to vision problems and people with visual impairments.

Activities within the framework of the month of the white cane in the constituency No.28 of the deputy of the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Ilona Tyuryaeva continue. Another lecture on eye health and an excursion for 7th grade schoolchildren of the capital’s school No. 3 will be held in a week.