Talking Information Center Participates in "Wonder Fair"

Shown: Jim Bunnell, Executive Director of TIC

The Talking Information Center (TIC), a nonprofit reading service based in Marshfield, MA and the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, which broadcasts 24 hours a day to visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout Massachusetts, recently participated in Furnace Brook Middle School's "Wonder Fair" for sixth graders held January 27th.

Designed to raise awareness and give the Marshfield middle school students a better understanding of what it would be like to have vision or hearing impairment, learning disorder or other disability, the Wonder Fair offered different "simulator" stations.

Jim Bunnell, Executive Director of TIC led the station simulating visual impairment. Working with more than 300 students in groups of six at a time, Bunnell helped to teach the students about visual impairment and blindness awareness, including how to assist and guide someone with a visual impairment and how to approach someone who has a visual impairment. In an exercise that was similar to the Blindfold Run/Walk that TIC held with Furnace Brook Middle School last October, the children participated in an exercise where they were paired together, one guiding the other blindfolded partner, for a firsthand experience of what it is like to be blind.

"The number of individuals with vision impairment is expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years. Creating greater awareness and understanding is key. I really enjoyed working with the students, as they had no idea of the challenges without sight. They do now," explained Bunnell.

At the close of each session, Bunnell asked the students if they had any questions and many students made comments along the lines of “I never realized how lonely and dark it is without being able to see."

For more information about TIC, visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.