May 4th, Niagara Falls, NY Yesterday, 50 children from the Olmsted Center for Sight Preschool experienced the wonders of exploration at the Aquarium of Niagara. Some of the students are at the OCS Preschool are blind or have other visual impairments.
When the Aquarium brought in Della, a blind Gray seal, Brooke Kibrick from the Olmsted Center for Sight read about the acquisition and thought it would be a great experience for one or two of her students to have a nose-to-nose encounter with an aquatic mammal who also couldn’t see.
Kibrick’s idea was enthusiastically embraced by the Aquarium and together people at both organizations made it happen. It was a day filled with two one-on-one encounters, touch tank sessions and Sea lion shows specifically geared toward those who are blind or visually impaired. “This is why I became a teacher”, said Curator of Education, Sarah Courtney. “The Aquarium is the perfect place for everyone because we can customize most experiences.”
“Everyone who witnessed the interactions was moved”, said Kibrick. “To witness the joy in every child’s face was amazing and I know all our hard work was worth it. We wanted the children to know that just because they have a visual impairment they can still do the same things sighted people do, they just have to do it differently. Just look at Della; she does what all the other seals do. This hands-on educational experience is invaluable and we look forward to partnering again with the Aquarium of Niagara.”
“Our mission is about education and conservation for everyone ”, said Courtney. “The Aquarium is a fun and educational place to explore and we truly want everyone, regardless of any limitations, to embrace the wonders of what we offer.”
For more information, contact either Ilene Strober at istrober@aquariumofniagara.org or call 716-286-9381.
Very Inspiring and great story. Thanks for sharing.