SET-BC / PRCVI Collaboration with Thailand

Traditionally students who are blind in Thailand receive only a very basic education in mathematics and the sciences. Secondary and post secondary education opportunities for students who use braille were limited to fields related to the humanities. However, in the past year a window of opportunity has opened for a few bright students in Thailand to pursue some mathematics and science programs at the secondary school level. Limited resources and trained personnel are available to support this new initiative.

As a result in mid October 2006 representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology in Thailand made a request to SET BC / PRCVI for assistance with a Science Camp for secondary students who are blind. This camp was planned for late November in Bangkok. In-service training to Thai teachers and related support personnel in educating students who are blind in secondary and post-secondary mathematics and science as well as training in the production of tactile graphics was also requested.

A group of 4 leaders in the education of students with visual impairments and blindness from BC were selected to support the Thai science initiatives and provide the initial training. They included three teachers of students with visual impairments and blindness, namely, Graham Cook from the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John School Districts, Vicky Midtdal, a SET-BC consultant for the Okanagan region, and Anne Wadsworth, outreach coordinator with the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) as well as Teresa Trask, a braille transcriber who has worked extensively with tactile graphics.

With planning underway it was determined that it would be helpful to clearly demonstrate the support services necessary for students who are blind to succeed in a academic secondary program in a BC high school. Grant, a White Rock high school student, his vision teacher, biology teacher and transcriber were interviewed to describe the support services necessary for students who are blind to succeed academically in BC. They articulated the skill set and the considerations necessary for successful inclusion of blind students at the secondary level. These interviews were videotaped and proved to be very useful in addressing key issues for meaningful inclusion in science and mathematics to occur in Thailand.

In his section of the video, Grant offers some inclusion strategies to other students including comments regarding self advocacy. The video, "Working Together for Inclusion - Grant", can be viewed in the Learning Centre under General Topics - Assistive Technology Show & Tell (2006).

Welcome sign at Ratchasuda College	Glad to have the translation
Thai teacher wearing original Canadian fashion	Vicky Midtdal sharing instructional strategies with Science Camp instructors
Thai teacher with simulated visual disability ready for hands on learning	Hands on geyser experiment
Lab experiment at Science Camp	Vicky and Anne Wadsworth share resources with Sue, a teacher from the Bangkok School for the Blind
Adapted mathematics materials produced at the Bangkok School for the Blind	Adapting science equipment with enhanced visual and tactile markings
Proud students with instructors and supporters, at closing ceremonies