There is a quote by Linda Hunt that says “The world and my life are not dark because I am totally blind.” Dr. Lauren Liberman, Director of Camp Abilities, Distinguished Service Professor in Kinesiology, Sport Studies & Physical Education at SUNY Brockport in Brockport New York who is a sign language specialist realized children and adolescents who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind had little opportunity to participate in sports and physical activities. This did not sit well with her and she decided to take action. Lauren and her colleague, Dr. Monica Lepore created an overnight summer sports camp designed with modifications so children and teens who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind could participate in all sorts of sports. In 1996 the first Camp Abilities was held at SUNY Brockport. I had the honor to interview Lauren about this special camp.
“Even without sight there is still vision.” Unknown
The first Camp Abilities had twenty seven blind, visually-impaired, and deaf-blind children along with thirty pre-service teacher volunteer coaches. Children and teens who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind are often not given opportunities to participate in physical activity, sports, and recreation. People are afraid they will get hurt, or not sure how to make adaptations, so these children are left on the sidelines to do nothing. Often these children, or their parents, do not have the information that there are a variety of modifications, many of them easy to use and affordable, that will provide the opportunity for participation in physical activity whether it be recreation or sports. These children, like all children, possess athletic strengths and skills that they can use once they are given the chance. The volunteer coaches are pre-service teachers who participate in a ten hour orientation prior to camp. This learning for Camp Abilities will carry over into their teaching careers. A great deal of thoughtfulness and thoroughness was put into the design of the camp so the children, their parents, and the volunteer coaches can learn and grow.
“Children are not things to be molded, but people to be unfolded.” Jess Lair
Camp Abilities has now expanded to all over the world. Lauren quickly realized there were parents who wanted to have their children participate in Camp Abilities, yet distance and cost of traveling provided a significant barrier. The first expansion camp was held in Alaska where ten staff were brought in and trained to run Camp Abilities at the SUNY Brockport location. Since then a Camp Abilities start up manual was developed and Camp Abilities World was created. Every camp is in charge of itself. How to videos, tip sheets, and free manuals are provided for Camp Abilities World organizers. Lauren’s personal quest to have programs available all over the world for children who blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind is evident in the care and accessibility she gives to those reaching out. At Camp Abilities, and Camp Abilities World, children are exposed to highly accomplished blind and visually impaired role model athletes. Lauren wants parents, children, and pre-service teachers to have knowledge about the variety of affordable adaptable equipment available that are easy to use. This instruction and opportunity improves the lives of blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind children. They become healthier by becoming physically active, improving all sorts of physical abilities while gaining confidence. The children become ambassadors in their communities for the athletic skills and talents of children who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind. The goals of Camp Abilities include “empowering students with visual impairments to be physically active members of their communities, training pre-service teachers from a variety of fields to teach physical activities to students with visual impairments and to educate parents.”
“Self-Advocacy: Know yourself, know what you need, know how to get it.” Unknown
Embedded in all things Camp Abilities and Camp Abilities World is teaching these children how to advocate for themselves. They need to be the ones advocating for themselves whether it be around physical activity and sports or any other areas of their life. The children need to be front and center in taking an active role in their life. Teaching the skills of self-advocacy helps to empower these children and improves their confidence. Lauren has used the information taught in Camp Abilities to teach self-advocacy to write a book “Infusing Self-Advocacy into Physical Education and Health Education” with Ruth Childs and Mary Connolly that provides skills and learning to all children to advocate for themselves in all areas of their lives.
“Every child is a different kind of flower and together they make the world a beautiful garden.” Anonymous
It is with honor and joy we shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight and Camp Abilities and Camp Abilities World. Where children and adolescents who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind all over the world have the opportunity to participate in this developmental sports camp that helps them to develop their physical potential while also learning life long skills of self-advocacy. Up and coming pre-service teachers and parents learn what these children can do with the assistance of adaptive technology. There are no barriers at Camp Abilities, only possibilities. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesome to the world!
For more information on REMARKABLE Camp Abilities and Camp Abilities World here is their information:
Website: https://www.campabilities.org/
Website: https://campabilitiesworld.com/
Camp Abilities on HBO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnbdp35NvEo
