KNES's Dr. Ana Palla-Kane Educates Blind Students During National "Youth Slam"

Dr. Ana Palla-Kane, the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the school's Department of Kinesiology, has spent this week educating blind and low vision students as part of the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam. Described as a "five-day adventure that will engage, inspire, and encourage," the event aims to expose blind youth to careers and opportunities that are "falsely believed to be impossible for the blind." Read more about the camp at this link.

Dr. Palla-Kane graciously spent some of her evening time to talk with the Healthy Turtle about the Youth Slam and perceptions of blindness:

Healthy Turtle: How did you come to be involved with the NFB Youth Slam? How long have you been involved? What initially peaked your interest?

Dr. Ana Palla-Kane: I have worked with Adapted Physical Education and adapted sports most of my career. I saw the NFB Youth SLAM as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these students, especially those who are already interested in professions related to physical activity and sports.

HT: What sorts of activities/programs do you do with the participants? What do they learn about Kinesiology?

Dr. PK: During this week students who chose to be in the "Sports Track" are exploring the interdisciplinary field of Kinesiology. Students are learning about physical activity and exercise science. Specifically, we are teaching about fitness and wellness. They are learning about principles of fitness, fitness testing and exercise prescription. Students learned how to perform fitness tests.

We have made minor modification to testing procedures (i.e., we used talking scales, talking stop watches, talking pedometers, measuring tapes and other materials in Braille) so students learned to collect and interpret test results. They were able to learn basic principles of training and perform a mini-workout at our SPH fitness center. Kinesiology faculty have come to share about the different careers and research areas in Kinesiology. Students are learning about our field and several are already planning to explore Kinesiology as their choice for college.

HT: Why do you think this event, and others like it, are important?

Dr. PK: This event is extremely important as it gives blind students opportunities to learn about science and explore future careers and possibilities for their lives. It is all about empowering them to believe that they can pursue the career and the life they want. It gives our faculty, students and staff the opportunity to look at our practices and explore different learning-teaching styles and ways to adapt all that we do so blind students can be challenged and learn specific contents.

It is the perfect opportunity for reaching and making a profound difference in our community because, in my view, it helps us discuss and to revisit our limited notions and views that blind people cannot function in our sighted world. As we experience and interact with the 200 students and mentors walking around our campus, using our dining hall, and fully participating in our classes we begin to talk about our limited view of blindness. An event like this brings new opportunities, and impacts each and every person involved.

HT:What's the most important thing the larger public should know about blind and low vision students?

Dr. PK: People who are blind and have low vision are just like you. They run their businesses and have families. They are lawyers, architects, psychologists, engineers, athletes, coaches. They are people who want to make a difference and live fulfilled lives.

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Dr. Ana Palla-Kane is the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Kinesiology, where she also serves as the coordinator of the Physical Education Major and Credential Program. Much thanks to her time and her work with these students.