About a month ago, I asked for help and suggestions because I was calling a dance for
visually impaired students. Thank you to all who responded. Well, the dance was last
Saturday. The students ranged in age from 8-17. Many of the partnerships contained two
visually impaired dancers. We started with a big circle dance with basic figures and
without a progression. They did really well with the basics. We did the Snake dance and
since the room had two doors opening out to a deck we took advantage of going outside
during the dance. We danced Les Salute, Seven Jumps (modified version so we didn't
have to lay on the floor), Bridge Dance, the Chicken dance, and ended with the Snake dance
again because the kids loved that one. When we spiraled into the middle, they kept
yelling, "Let's see how tight we can get it!" It was so much fun seeing all
the smiles and I was told, it was the best Saturday evening activity in all the years they
have had the Snowshoe Weekend. I found that they did best with large circles, no
progression, and no specific partner. I hope to be able to dance with these kids again and
try something maybe a little more challenging with them. Unfortunately, due to privacy
concerns I am unable to share pictures. The photos did make me tear up. In all my years of
calling, this was one of the best, funnest, and most rewarding gigs.
Helle