Thursday, May 5, 2011

Seeing Things In A New Way

Kathleen and Bob from the Braille Institute of Santa Barbara visited Hearts the evening of May 4th to train the staff and volunteers on sighted techniques for guiding persons with visual impairments and blindness.  This training was in preparation for a new class at Hearts.  Eight teenage riders with visual impairments are coming to Hearts to ride horses for their first time!

Besides demonstrating the techniques, Kathleen made half of the participants don blindfolds and be led around the Hearts facility. Down stairs, through doorways, up on the mounting ramp and around the arena feeling the fences.  It was an "eye opening" experience and will definately help the staff and volunteers be sensitive to the needs of our newest riders!

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