1. Art and Independence for the Visually Impaired
Linda Walker

2. The Issue Studied
How can visually impaired students have a successful and meaningful art experience and be instructed to manipulate the medium more independently?
What techniques and tools can be use to achieve the objectives?
Where does confidence building and creative drive fit into the process?

3. Navigating the Ceramics Class
Work area
Glaze room
Kiln room

4. Brief History of Research
How can visually impaired perceive beauty or create aesthetic images (Revesz 1950)
Tactile art is a reference of the visual (James 1970)
Understand creativity, motivations of students and achieving inclusion
(Erickson 1998)

5. Handling the Clay

6. Data Collection Techniques
Ten Observations recorded
One to one interaction
Direct instruction
Observation
Questioning

7. Sampling of Log Entry Nick B. Intro to Ceramics January 18, 2013
Observation 1 - notes
Throwing demonstration/lesson with Mark Voege, Mr. Handley (aid) and myself
Open the session with wheel throwing explanation
All tools placed in same spot for every session
Position body close to wheel, adjust foot petal to be comfortable
Mr. Voege has hands on clay with Nick’s hands on top
Add/drip on water w sponge
Walk through steps: Open up clay ball, raise the walls, thumb right there, pinch thumb and forefinger
Learn by mistakes, lots of practice
Be gentle and go easy with clay
Mr. V. tries with eyes closed to show Nick it can be done
Nick is a bit discouraged and says he doesn’t like it.