Talking Information Center and Furnace Brook Middle School Raise Vision Impairment Awareness Through Blindfold Run/Walk

Shown: Furnace Brook Middle School Principal, Patrick Sullivan, with his son Cooper at the “I Am...Not Alone. We’re in this Together” Blindfold Run/Walk.

In partnership with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) and Team with a Vision, the Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service based in Marshfield, MA, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise disabled listeners, recently participated in the “I Am...Not Alone. We’re in this Together” Blindfold Run/Walk with Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield.

Twenty teams of two participated in the Blindfold Run/Walk held Sunday, October 16th, 2016 at Martinson Elementary School track in Marshfield. The event was geared towards raising awareness of the challenges of blind and visually impaired individuals. Participants included Marshfield sixth, seventh and eighth graders and their family members, TIC and Furnace Brook Middle School staff, and community members.

The runners/walkers took turns being blindfolded while their teammate remained sighted and served as a guide as they ran or walked the Martinson Elementary School track two laps each for one-mile total. The guides held the tether rope of their blindfolded partner and provided verbal direction throughout the entire race.

In addition to the race, participants had an opportunity to try on visual impairment glasses, which simulated low vision (courtesy of Capeway Opticians) and enjoy family friendly games designed to help children empathize with those who have vision issues.

A $10 donation was asked of participants, with all proceeds going to TIC to help fund special assistive radio technologies that benefit thousands who are blind or vision impaired. Tiny & Sons Glass Co., Capeway Opticians, Bond Printing and Marketing, Furnace Brook Middle School, MABVI and Team with a Vision sponsored this event.

"The Blindfold Run raised awareness of the hardships people with vision challenges face and it fit our school's mission to be Peace Builders in being an event that encouraged empathy and helped others. We are lucky to have the TIC, Tiny and Sons, and St. Christine's parish peer ministry support our school's endeavors," said Teresa DeLuca, Librarian at Furnace Brook Middle School.

"According to the National Federation of the Blind, 136,500 people of all ages in Massachusetts reported to have a visual disability in 2013," explained Jim Bunnell, TIC's Executive Director."Through the Blindfold Run/Walk, we were able to provide a better understanding of the challenges of individuals with visual impairment. We had a very positive response from everyone involved."

He continued, "We'd like to expand this initiative and continue to raise awareness by holding the Blindfold Run/Walk at other schools throughout the South Shore."

Schools that are interested in holding a Blindfold Run/Walk event may contact Anna Dunbar of TIC (781) 834-4400. For more information about TIC, visit www.ticnetwork.org.