October 15 , 2008

The first training workshop conducted at Bethlehem University for teachers of students with visual impairments

The committee of Students with Special Needs (SWSN) organized the first training workshop for teachers of students with visual impairments. It was held on Friday, 10 October 2008, in Al-waha center and lasted for one and a half hours. The number attending was 24: two chairpersons, Dr. Norma Masrieh and Dr. Haifa Kunkar, 12 teachers from various faculties, 5 members from the committee of SWSN, 1 graduate with special needs and 2 guests from the Blind Rehabilitation Program. Mrs. Hanan Khoury, Mobility and Practical Training, Ms. Maysa Khamis, Integration Trainer, from the Helen Keller Center and Dr. Mahmoud Atshan, professor of Arabic at Bir Zeit University, were the presenters of this workshop.

Ms. Marry Sabela, counselor at Bethlehem University, opened the session by welcoming and introducing the presenters, and then the audience introduced themselves.

Mrs. Hanan started her speech by defining visual impairments and giving examples of each type. Then, Ms. Maysa talked about equipment which students with visual impairments might use in order to help them work more functionally and independently. They also mentioned important issues and strategies that teachers should take into consideration while teaching students with visual impairments. After that, Dr. Mahmoud identified some educational issues regarding teaching students with visual impairments. He also mentioned some of his own experiences when he was a student and now as a teacher.

At the end of the workshop, the audience were free to ask any questions or to seek further information. Various topics were discussed and some solutions were suggested by the presenters. The teachers were pleased to have such a workshop in order to be more aware about their students' problems and needs which should help them to better handle the challenges in teaching students with visual impairments.

Finally, the audiences expressed their sincere gratitude to the presenters for their time and concern. They also expressed the desire to have more such meetings in the future. Some even mentioned how helpful it would have been for the students to attend.

On behalf of the Committee

Muhammad Salahat/ Occupational therapist/ SWSN