A Sense of Texas TSBVI

After a long and eventful school year some of us here at A Sense of Texas were seeking a much needed break. And just like every good superhero, the students participating in the Audio/Visual class here at TSBVI came to our rescue. To close out the school year the students have created an episode showing us what day-to-day life looks like for students, and how attending school here has helped them socially and academically. As a bonus we've also included some key moments from the recent TSBVI Graduation ceremony. Thanks so much for being a part of our podcast and we'll see you next school year!

Solving for X is a pretty difficult challenge for most sighted students, so imagine learning algebra with a visual impairment? And add to that doing everything online? Well, lucky for our students in Texas we have TSBVI's very own John Rose here to save the day. John Rose and his students are joining us this week to discuss the TSBVI online algebra course and how it has helped them on their journey to becoming math experts. 
 
For more information on the algebra course and the other great offerings visit the TSBVI Short Term Programs website.

On April 8th a solar eclipse will cross North America with totality being visible from Mazatlan to Montreal. Here in Austin we're lucky enough to be in the path of totality and this presents the unique challenge of making the eclipse accessible to our student population. We speak with Allyson Bieryla, an astronomer from Harvard University, along with students and staff at TSBVI to learn how technologies new and old are being utilized to make the eclipse accessible to the blind and visually impaired community. Special thanks to David Schechter and the folks from CBS News for speaking with us and putting a spotlight on accessibility to science for people who are blind and visually impaired. The CBS News story on accessibility and the eclipse is out now, be sure to check it out!
Click here to get more information on the LightSound Project and how you can bring eclipse accessibility to your community. 

Pretty much everyone wants to do their best Peter Pan impersonation and never grow up, but unfortunately growing up is an inevitability for all of us, including our students here at TSBVI. Today we'll show you how Experiences in Transition (EXIT) helps our post-graduation students learn skills for everyday living as well as important job skills to help them contribute to society, and themselves, for years to come. 
Click the link for more information on the EXIT Program and be sure to check out Wealthy Bee on Spotify to hear the full versions of her songs included in this episode.

As a school for students with a wide range of abilities, inclusion is standard practice here at TSBVI. But one event that goes above and beyond is The Big Show. The Big Show is held twice a year and any student enrolled in a music class at TSBVI is welcome, and encouraged, to participate. From piano recitals to jazz ensembles with a little bit of mariachi thrown in, the holiday Big Show has it all. This month we're going to pull back the curtain on The Big Show and speak with the musicians cheering up your holiday, and the teachers who help bring it all together. 

One of our favorite events that we host on the TSBVI campus every other year is the USABA Goalball Youth Nationals tournament. This year was a banner year for us with a record 23 teams in attendance and the competition did not disappoint. With two gold medal games that went down to the wire, we were lucky to witness some top notch talent. The USABA national teams have a bright future ahead with athletes like these waiting in the wings.