Dominican Republic RPCV Cheryl Cumings is the outreach-diversity coordinator for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Thompson: Film inspired discussion on education options for blind
By Sandy Thompson
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Former Winchester native Tim Cumings and his wife Cheryl led an informative discussion following a showing of the Iranian film, "The Color of Paradise," on April 1.
The movie launched what the Winchester Multicultural Network's International Connections group hopes will be a mini-film festival. Introducing the guest speakers, committee member Elizabeth Nolan said, "I believe one of the major themes [of the film] - new ways of seeing - is exactly what our festival is about. By using the language of film to explore issues related to diversity, multiculturalism and human rights, we are given an opportunity to take a fresh look at ourselves, our neighbors, and indeed how Winchester is perceived within the broader community."
Nolan introduced the Cumings as "two extraordinary individuals who have lived and loved and navigated their way through Winchester for many years, always without the benefit of sight."
Tim grew up in Winchester, attended Winchester public schools, and graduated from Winchester High School in 1980. He has a degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University, a masters degree in theological studies from Boston University, and has worked since 1993 as a customer care representative for Boston Edison.
Cheryl is the outreach-diversity coordinator for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. She grew up in Illinois, graduated from Princeton University, and has a masters in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts. She has studied at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in Salamaca, Spain with the Boston University, and in Brequenz, Austria for a summer conference. In addition, she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
"The Color of Paradise" is about an 8-year-old blind boy who is considered a burden by his hardworking father. Tim and Cheryl opened by commenting on the irony of "seeing" a film that had subtitles [the language spoken was Farsi.] They reported that 130 Winchester residents are registered as legally blind with the Mass. Commission for the Blind. They defined "legally blind" as having vision that is 20/200 or less and/or peripheral vision of 10 degrees or less. Some have no vision at all. They explained that blind people may use guide dogs, canes, or no assistance at all.
In discussing the film, Tim touched on the question of whether it is better for a child to attend a public school or a special school for the blind such as Perkins School in the Boston area. Currently if blindness is the only disability, a students will most likely attend public school. If there are additional handicaps, a special school is often the choice. He said there are a wide range of opinions among blind people but one of his concerns is that those who go to special schools are less able to adapt to the "outside" world when they graduate.
Clearly there are challenges to attending public schools such as the shortage of materials and books in Braille. But he told the touching story of being in a history class at WHS when no textbook was available. The teacher had his 13-year-old daughter record the entire textbook on audiotape for him.
Tim expressed concern that now, even when there is more inclusion for vision-impaired students in regular classrooms, there is a danger in creating more distance between teacher and student with the use of aides who may interfere with the interaction between student and teacher.
Cheryl discussed the stereotypes around blind people or those with other kinds of disabilities.
"They are seen, either as super heroes or victims of terrible tragedy," she said. "Blindness is one of the worst things people think can happen to them. We are not superhuman, nor poor, pitiful people living a tragic life. There are beliefs about what it means to be blind. People assume that you can't hear or you can't understand."
She discussed the challenges of one aspect of her job which is placing interns in job settings and trying to overcome the assumptions employers have about what a blind person can do. She described the technology that enables her to use a computer - software that converts text into spoken word that is so sophisticated that she can "read" a spreadsheet, pay bills online, and perform a range of tasks both at home and in the workplace.
What can we in the community do to help? The first suggestion was to have audible traffic signals, especially at busy intersections. In Winchester and other suburbs, lack of sidewalks pose a real safety problem for blind pedestrians. "When you are developing new housing, think about everyone who is using the space," Cheryl urged. "Make the space inclusive of all who live in the community. When you are planning events, be sure to announce that accommodations can be made for anyone who needs assistance if advance notice is given."
In addition to this advice, Cheryl provided a handout produced by the Mass Commission for the Blind: "When You Meet a Person Who is Blind."
"Help the sighted world understand what would be helpful," was the advice the Cumings gave to the audience.
The program was sponsored by the Winchester Multicultural Network's International Connections group and was held at the Unitarian Church. For more information on the Winchester Multicultural Network, e-mail office@wmcn.org or call 781-729-7100. To contact the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, call 617-727-5550.
Sandy Thompson is board chairperson and coordinator of the Winchester Multicultural Network.
