Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Little Red SchoolhouseStudents and faculty from the ophthalmic medical assistant program, sponsored by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, received blindness sensitivity training at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, location of Industries for the Blind (IFB). According to IFB’s website, “IFB Solutions is proud to be the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country.”

The training included service animal etiquette, a Braille lesson and tour of the IFB facilities. In addition, students and faculty were led through an exercise that involved wearing blindfolds to simulate blindness and the use of white canes. While wearing blindfolds and using canes, the group walked through two parking lots and the large IFB facility, with lunch being the final destination. Students described the experience as “humbling and stressful.” Overall, it was an enriching experience for all involved.

The current group of OMA students will graduate at the beginning of May 2018. There are 18 students enrolled for the class of 2019 that will begin at the end of May.

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