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| Ancil Torres receives the Humming Bird Gold Medal from Trinidad & Tobago President Dr. Maxwell Richards as Prime Minister Manning, Chief Justice Sharma and their wives look on. On August 31, 2004 the Torres Foundation was the first organization for the disabled to receive the Humming Bird Gold Medal of the Order of the Trinity for loyal and devoted service to Trinidad and Tobago.
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Table of Contents
Web Development and Assistive Technology Workshop
Our Caribbean Campers Could Not Swim
In-Kind Products and Services (gratis)
Discounted Products and Services
Introduction
By every measure Camp Can Do (CCD) was a tremendous pioneering achievement and will go down as perhaps one of the major mile stones in blindness education in Trinidad and Tobago and the greater Caribbean. The program was developed by the Torres Foundation and modeled after the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) SCORE camp.
The CCD program was developed to provide blind youth with positive and motivating experiences intended to enhance their personal growth and development. This was done through a series of Career and educational workshops as well as special recreational activities. Another major goal of CCD was to focus the campers on what they can do as blind individuals and not on what they cannot do because they are blind.
CCD hosted 14 campers from Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. The project received financial donations, in-kind support, and volunteer services from local and international government agencies, major corporations, and private individuals.
The Science Workshop
Several of the workshops and activities provided campers with exposure to training and experiences that they never had before. The Science workshop was by far the most novel and groundbreaking of them all. One of the science activities included a hands-on chemistry exercise that had the objective of introducing students with blindness to the various assistive tools that can help them succeed in science, utilizing the adaptive technologies and techniques developed by the Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB) based at Pennsylvania State University.
The workshop was conducted by Cary Supalo, a Ph.D. student at Penn State, who has extensively researched the use of adaptive technologies in teaching science curricula to blind students. He has been instrumental in developing various innovative laboratory tools and methodologies.
“Being a blind scientist, I strive to mentor and encourage visually impaired students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I want educators and blind and low-vision students to know that people with blindness or low vision can take fully active roles in science education and the science professions,” says Supalo.
At the beginning of the workshop, the topic of conducting laboratory experiments using the scientific method was discussed. Next was a detailed demonstration of the cutting-edge assistive technologies being developed at Penn State University and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
The ILAB tools included an interface of JAWS with Vernier Software & Technology’s scientific probes, the LabPro instrument for gathering data, and the Logger Pro 3.7 software program. Before starting the experiments, the use of the LabPro was demonstrated and students were allowed to examine the probes.
Supalo then led two hands-on activities performed by the students. The first involved the reaction from placing an Alka Seltzer tablet in water in a plastic bag, to make the three phases of matter observable audibly and tactilely. The participants listened to the fizzing noise and felt the bag swelling due to the gas being released in the reaction.
This activity was followed by a discussion of an ILAB tool known as the Submersible Audible Light Sensor (SALS), which audibly indicates color changes as well as the formation of bubbles or precipitates.
The second activity was the iodine clock reaction. In this activity, sodium thiosulfate, potassium iodide, sugar water, and ammonium peroxydisulfate were mixed together, and students used the SALS to detect the reaction’s color changes over several minutes through changes in the device’s audible tones.
All participants appeared to have learned a great deal and appreciated the chance to conduct science experiments in a way that was hands-on and accessible for the first time.
Campers conducting science experiments
Web Development and Assistive Technology Workshop
The primary purpose of the Camp Can Do web development workshop was to provide campers with the skills for establishing a presence on the web and an introduction to assistive technology. Basic Internet concepts and command access sequences were reviewed, as well as associated web accessibility issues confronting people who are blind.
Campers training with JAWS on the Internet
Campers participated in nine hours of workshops where they received training on JAWS for Windows (a computer software program designed to allow people who are visually impaired the ability to use the computer). Training primarily focused on using JAWS to access and read web pages. Some campers were already familiar with using JAWS, but several had very limited or no experience with the software. Although there were many campers who were very Internet savvy, there were a number of them who were marginal Internet users.
As part of the workshop exercise, campers were divided into groups and assigned a project related to using the Internet. Each group presented their project during the camp closing ceremony. The following project topics were chosen to provide an opportunity for campers to enhance their knowledge in the areas of communication and education:
- Using the Google search engine
- Locating and reading free online electronic books
- Using blogs to read and post information
- Using the Gmail system for email communication
Along with the general knowledge gained from the projects, campers also gained experience in collaborating with each other to complete group tasks.
In order to increase their awareness of a wide variety of assistive technologies, campers were given the chance to work hands-on with several types of new cutting-edge assistive technologies that many of them had never seen before. Some of these items included the Sapphire portable CCTV; the Focus refreshable Braille display; and the PAC Mate notetaker. Campers were also able to screen movie and documentary productions with the benefit of Descriptive Video Service (DVS). Descriptive Video provides unobtrusive narration through a separate audio track of events unfolding on screen for viewers who are not able to see.
The technology devices on display gave campers significant insights into the enhanced capabilities that assistive technology can provide them.
Self-Advocacy Workshop
Patrick Lafayette, a visually impaired motivational speaker and radio personality from Jamaica conducted the self-advocacy session. He made it clear that self-confidence, having clarity of purpose, setting goals, and remaining committed to those goals are essential elements to success. Also, he talked about the importance of remembering to give back to the community once career success has been achieved. His point being to whom much is given much is expected.
Campers talked about their career interests and the various educational challenges that they confront in the pursuit of those interests. They were given positive strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with those challenges.
The Calypso Workshop
The Calypso workshop was co-hosted by Llewellyn McIntosh (Mighty Short Pants) and Joseph La Placeliere (Mighty Lingo) the extempo King of Trinidad and Tobago for the past three years who happens to be blind.
McIntosh is an experienced Calypsonian who has been in the business for over 30 years. He was an educator for all his professional life and retired as the Principal of Trinity College.
Initially McIntosh had some concerns about taking on the project since he had never in his life trained people who were blind and low vision. His concerns were diminished when we informed him that the Foundation could provide him with the special education staff; first rate assistive technology; as well as large print and Braille materials that he would need to effectively conduct the workshop.
Campers received handouts in large print as well as Braille. A PC projector was used to enlarge images for the low vision participants in the session.
Campers learned about the fundamentals that go into the making of a good calypso through a Calypso by the Mighty Duke called “What is Calypso?” It talks about the rhyming and singing being just half the story. It says that Calypso is about feelings that come from within that can be a “tale of joy or one of suffering.” It is “an editorial in song” about the daily events of our lives.
The campers then analyzed and dissected a calypso and then worked in groups to reconstruct it with their own lyrical flair. They were then required to perform their new rendition for the class.
The campers were then treated to a live extempo face off between the two heavyweights of the calypso fraternity.
At the conclusion of the session the campers thanked the presenters. The calypsonians both expressed how pleased they were to be there, and hoped that the workshop would be repeated next year. Their only disappointment was that they sensed real interest from the campers, but did not have enough time to take them further on the topic. They pledged their full support for Camp Can Do.
The campers were highly responsive and interactive during the session. They enjoyed the celebrity entertainment and would clap and beat the table to the rhythm of the music. They were supportive of each other even when some campers did not always hit the right note or rhythm during their calypso singing. There was never any difficulty getting the campers to perform.
Horseback Riding
For over the past 40 years horseback riding has been an accepted rehabilitation therapy for persons with disabilities. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association is perhaps one of the largest world wide organizations that promote this type of therapy.
It has been documented that horseback riding can help blind people to develop enhanced navigational skills, build confidence, and provide a tremendous sense of freedom. It is also a very rewarding and fun recreational activity. It was for this reason that horseback riding was included in the Camp Can Do program.
Jannette Dec, a blindness horseback riding rehabilitation specialist from Pennsylvania, volunteered her time and services to Camp CanDo. She was responsible for designing and executing a plan of action to conduct the horseback riding sessions for the blind campers as safely as possible in Tobago.
Lenin and Veronika La Fortune of Buccoo Tobago own a horseback riding business, and were told about the program and asked if they would be willing to work with us on the project. Without hesitation they said yes, and were immediately enthusiastic about the whole idea. They pledged their total support even though they had never worked with the visually impaired before. Dec agreed to train them along with several other volunteers who would be required to conduct the sessions with maximum safety. Many of the volunteers were drawn from the La Fortune’s European customers who they had known for a long time and just happened to be on vacation during the camp.
The riding sessions were conducted on the Goat racing grounds near Buccoo Bay. The La Fortune’s were given special permission by a representative at the Tobago House of Assembly to use the grounds to work with the visually impaired.
The campers were given 30 minute riding lessons. Some of the sessions also included horse grooming instructions.
The campers all enjoyed it and wanted the lessons to be longer.
Unfortunately weather conditions on the second day of riding caused the day’s lesson to be canceled. The tight schedule did not permit us to reschedule which meant that half of the campers did not get their riding lesson. However, we were pleased with all the campers who got to ride. They did very well.
Rainforest Hike
The primary purpose of the rainforest hike was to provide the campers with an opportunity to learn about the environment. It was also important to get the campers out since the majority of workshops had them cooped up in classrooms and conference rooms for five to six hours a day. The hike was physically demanding, adventurous, and enjoyable for most.
Our tour guide was Darlington Chance from Frankie Tours. He took us on a two mile hike along the Gilpin Trail, a 400 year old trading route used by early Tobago settlers.
Corporal Bonnette-Army squad leader, sighted guide escort for Ancil Torres, Camp Director on Gilpin Trail
The Foundation requested assistance from the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service to help with safety and security. We were provided with a 5-man squad of soldiers and 3 paramedics. They were all given sighted guide training and a briefing on working with people who are blind.
The campers were supplied with various navigational devices to plot their path through the forest. A talking pedometer was used to measure the distance traveled from one point to another. A braille and talking compass were used to determine direction. Also, the Mobile Geo, a talking GPS navigation device enabled us to mark our path with global positioning electronic breadcrumbs.
The terrain was muddy, slippery, rocky, and very hilly. We passed several cliffs along the way. As was to be expected the humidity was high and the heat was intense. However, none of the campers fell or got hurt. A number of them expressed uncertainty about completing the entire course to the end, but not one of the hikers turned back.
Campers on the Gilpin Trail-Tobago Rainforest
The servicemen all did a spectacular job even though this was their first time working with people who are blind. They were very alert and available, and on the spot when their assistance was needed, but were never overly helpful to the point of obstruction. We could not have asked for a better crew.
The tour guide was very informative, descriptive, and entertaining. He took the time to tell the history of the forest and describe the various interesting fauna and flora that could be found there.
Our Caribbean Campers Could Not Swim
One of the discoveries that we made at the camp was that more than 80% of the campers could not swim. This was very surprising given that all the campers are from the Caribbean where water recreation is so very common. Since we did plan to take the campers to the beach, we thought that it would be a good idea to give the campers a session on water safety and a few swimming tips before taking the plunge.
Michael Baker providing swimming lessons to campers
Michael Baker, Chief Lifeguard of Tobago, and of Scouting for Talent fame, volunteered his time to host the swimming lesson session. He was very detailed and informative as well as entertaining in his presentation. The campers truly enjoyed the swimming workout they had with him.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony brought an emotional but uplifting and inspiring close to Camp Can Do. Our keynote speaker via conference call was Dr. Aubrey Webson from Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts. He gave a very insightful and compelling speech that talked about the importance of leadership, self-advocacy, and personal philosophy as being the three elements that make it possible to bring about positive societal change.
The campers presented their group projects. Their presentations were quite detailed and focused despite the various technical Internet connectivity problems that they encountered.
Cecille Alves, the eldest camper in the group gave a very heartfelt vote of thanks to the staff and sponsors of the camp. She said that Camp Can Do was very informative, interesting, and exciting. She talked about the need to approach the government to get them to invest in placing the science technology in the classrooms. This was very personal to her since she loves science and will be required to take science classes for her major.
The ceremony was brought to an emotional end with the performance of the new Camp Can Do camp song “We Can Do” composed and sung by Nyol Manswell. Nyol served as one of our camp counselors. He is a very young and talented musician and is the recipient of a 4-year scholarship to study music in the United States.
Publicity
Camp Can Do attracted media attention in the Caribbean as well as in the United States. Two articles were published in the Sunday edition of the Jamaica Observer in August. Camp Can Do was also featured on TV6 Morning Edition during prime time in Trinidad, as well as on Hot 102FM in Jamaica.
Cary Supalo, our science presenter has submitted an article for publication in the Science Teacher journal. Also, another article on the camp will be published in the next edition of the Horse of Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania.
The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Information and at least one television station in Jamaica has requested video footage for possible broadcast.
Representatives from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus attended our camp press conference where we demonstrated some of the science tools that were used in the science workshop. They were very impressed and have asked the Foundation to come to the University to conduct a presentation for their staff.
Funding
The financing for Camp Can Do was achieved through a three-month fundraising effort by the Torres Foundation. It was one of our shortest but most effective fundraising projects ever undertaken by the organization.
Cash donations and in-kind contributions for CCD came from several different sources. Following is a percentage breakdown of the cash donations:
- International, 42%
- Corporate T&T, 23%
- Private individuals, 18%
- Government, 17%
The biggest donor to Camp Can Do was Perkins School for the Blind. This was made possible through the enthusiastic support of Dr. Aubrey Webson, Institutional Development Consultant at Perkins.
Sir Ellis Clarke, the first President of Trinidad and Tobago, and a Torres Foundation patron, was the biggest private donor to Camp Can Do.
37% of the total goods and services required for Camp Can Do were provided in the form of in-kind contributions. This does not include the services provided by the Defense Force and the Fire Service of Trinidad and Tobago since both services were not able to provide us with a dollar value for their contribution. The primary reason for this is because these government services are rendered free of charge to the general public.
The two students from Barbados were the only 2 campers to be charged the full fee to attend the camp. This is so because when the camp was initially advertised only citizens of Trinidad and Tobago were exempted from paying an admission charge since all the funds were going to be raised there. The campers from Barbados were able to raise the necessary funds from the Barbados Children’s Trust and other organizations. The Torres Foundation was able to secure two donated roundtrip tickets to Trinidad from Caribbean Airlines for the Barbadian campers, and paid the taxes on the donated tickets.
The funds that the Torres Foundation received from Perkins School for the Blind were allocated to provide funding for one camper from Antigua and two campers from Jamaica. The funding also covered food and accommodations for the camp.
The two campers from Jamaica were flown first class on their way into Trinidad only because there were simply no other available flights to get them into the country around the start date of the camp. However, they were flown back to Jamaica in economy class. No one else associated with Camp Can Do was flown first class.
Summary
Camp Can Do was one of the most successful projects that the Torres Foundation ever organized. Despite various logistical close calls, a power outage in Port-of-Spain on the day that we had to set sail for Tobago, and the ever present Swine Flu panic on the island, the program generally went very smoothly from beginning to end. The campers initially had some reservations about the camp especially when they realized how many workshop sessions they had to attend. Many of them commented that it felt a bit like being in school. However, when they realized that they were being exposed to such a wide variety of learning experiences that were truly accessible to them for the first time, many of them came to realize the real value of the camp. Several of them did not want to go home and wished that it would have been longer. Others expressed interest in having the assistive technology available at the camp installed at their schools. This was true especially for the chemistry science assistive technology devices.
The camp counselors, many of whom were Special Ed teacher aids, believed that they learned a lot about blindness and the potential of blind people. They were quite impressed and surprised with the independence and performance levels that sight impaired persons can achieve if given the right training and assistive technology. The camp was also a major learning opportunity and eye-opener for the servicemen and foreign volunteers who provided their assistance during our various camp activities.
It is our hope at the Torres Foundation to build on the inspiration, goodwill, and can-do spirit engendered by CCD. Many lives were touched and new bonds of friendships were developed across the Caribbean. Campers left with a better sense of the levels to which they can aspire and were exposed to insights into how they can get there. Government representatives in Jamaica have expressed interest in hosting a camp based on the Camp Can Do model next year.
It is this heightened momentum, creative programming, and positive energy that we intend to take into hosting Camp Can Do in July 2010.
Acknowledgements
Cash Donors
- Sir Ellis Clarke, T&T
- Employees of Guardian Life, T&T
- Perkins School for the Blind, USA
- BP Trinidad and Tobago, LLC
- British Gas of Trinidad & Tobago
- Scotia bank, T&T
- Disabilities Unit, Ministry of Social Development, T&T
- Student Support Services, Ministry of Education, T&T
- National Lottery Board, T&T
- Barbados Children’s Trust, Barbados
In-Kind Products and Services (gratis)
- Joseph La Placeliere (Mighty Lingo) Entertainment and training, T&T
- Michael Baker, Chief Life Guard of Tobago, Training and safety, T&T
- Cary Supalo, President, Independence Science, Training, USA
- Lenin & Veronika LaFortune and their international team of volunteers, Training, T&T
- Jeanette Dec, Blindness Rehab. Horseback Riding Instructor, Training, USA
- Patrick Lafayette, Motivational Speaker, Jamaica
- Betty Sylvester, Overnight rooming accommodations, T&T
- Terry Williams, Overnight Rooming accommodations, T&T
- Melvin Mitchell, Ground transportation, T&T
- Andre Webb, Digital Video Camcorder, USA
- Freedom Scientific, JAWS software and Digital book reading software, USA
- Caribbean Airlines, Air transportation, T&T
- Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Sea transportation
- Division of Health & Social Services, Tobago, Ground transportation
- Trinidad & Tobago Defense Force, Transportation, sighted escort, and security,
- Scarborough Fire Service, Sighted escort and paramedics, T&T
Discounted Products and Services
- Deborah Melville Guy, Catering, T&T
- Michael Frank, Frankie Tours, Rainforest tour guide, T&T
- Llewellyn MacIntosh, Short Pants, Training & Entertainment, T&T
- Neal and Massy Auto Rentals, Vehicle rentals, T&T
- Blue Waters, Bottled water, T&T
- Trinizuela College, Computer technology lab, T&T
- Sunshine Holiday apartments (Base Camp) housing, T&T
Campers
- Kwesi Osei, T&T
- Sonja Guevara, T&T
- Anil Maharaj, T&T
- Kareem Paul, T&T
- Robin Fitz Allen, T&T
- Nazim Mahaboob, T&T
- Cecille Alves, T&T
- Carlon Nixon, T&T
- Kivelle Fletcher, T&T (Tobago)
- Rameash Woolcoc, Antigua
- Tacita Danika Forde, Barbados
- Janeil Cherice Akelia Odle, Barbados
- Sashana Russell, Jamaica
- Gavin Gopie, Jamaica
Other Support
- Steve Williams, Department Head, Student Support Services, MOE, Coordination, T&T
- Sandra Tamby, Ministry of Education, coordination, T&T
- Boyd Winchester, Ministry of Education, Camp Counselor, T&T
- Celina Thomas, Ministry of Education, Camp Counselor, T&T
- Selvin Harrinarine, Ministry of Education, Camp Counselor, T&T
- Salina Mohammad, Ministry of Education, Camp Counselor, T&T
- Nyol Manswell, Musician & entertainer, Camp Counselor, T&T
- Senator Kerryann Ifill, Deputy President of the Barbados Senate, Coordination, Barbados
- Lisa Hickson, Ministry of Education, coordination, Antigua
- Carmelia Alleyne, School for the Blind and Deaf, Coordination, Barbados
- Iyeke Erharuyi, Principal, Salvation Army School for the Blind, Coordination, Jamaica
Torres Foundation Staff
- Johann Seemungal, Assistive Technology Trainer, T&T
- Ryan Jones, Assistive Technology Specialist, USA
- Sonia Torres, Assistive Technology Specialist, USA
- Kareisha Questel, Videographer/Photographer, USA
- Kashmir Mitchell, Camp Coordinator, T&T
- Ancil Torres, Camp Director, USA
Capital Plaza
11-13 Frederick Street
Suite 302
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Phone: (868)623-0940
Email:info@torresfoundation.org