School for the Blind “Future Shock” Career Day Nov 4 to Feature Sight Loss Documentary

MUSKOGEE, OK − “Going Blind,” a unique documentary film about sight loss and low vision issues, will be shown twice by the Oklahoma School for the Blind on Thurs., Nov. 4. The movie screening is part of OSB’s annual “Future Shock,” a career day for all Oklahoma students who are blind or visually impaired and their families.

The public is also invited to enjoy “Going Blind” free of charge at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. in the School for the Blind auditorium at 3300 Gibson Street. Those who attend will have an opportunity before the film to visit exhibits featuring high-tech, assistive technologies and organizations focused on blindness and vision loss.

An expert panel discussion will follow the 7 p.m. showing. OSB is accepting donations to help fund the purchase of “Going Blind.” The film director, Joe Lovett, has glaucoma, an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. His film combines his own story “with the stories of others whom he looks to for guidance in a darkening world,” according to the official film web site at www.goingblindmovie.com/. He founded Lovett Productions in 1989 after 10 years as an ABC News 20/20 producer.

“We are very excited about screening this outstanding film for the first time in Oklahoma in Muskogee at the School for the Blind,” OSB Outreach Coordinator Sherry Holder said. “We want everyone to know that ‘Going Blind’ should be very informative for older people who are losing their vision and their families as well as for students.”

Members of the panel who will discuss issues related to the film include:

• Marilyn Sanders, Visual Services programs manager, from Visual Services, the independent living training program called ABLE and the Older Blind Program
• Jenna Lighthizer, Doctor of Optometry from Northeastern State University
• Vicky Golightly, Public Information Officer from Visual Services’ Oklahoma Library for the Blind and the Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Center
• Olukanyin Bodeharrison, Visual Impairment Services Team Coordinator from Veterans Affairs
• Sherry Holder, Outreach Coordinator from the Oklahoma School for the Blind

The School for the Blind, Visual Services and the Library for the Blind are part of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).

Approximately 18,000 Oklahomans are legally blind, according to U.S. Census and American Federation for the Blind estimates. According to 2008 data from the U.S. Census “American Community Survey,” 120,130 Oklahomans have vision difficulties

The Oklahoma School for the Blind is fully accredited and teaches specialized skills that help students live independently, as well as providing all state mandated education requirements. Ninety-five residential students and those who commuted from home attended classes all or part of the year in 2009. OSB also provides thousands of free outreach services each year for students attending local public schools, their families and educators in other school systems.

For more information about “Going Blind,” Future Shock career day or the Oklahoma School for the Blind, call 918-781-8200 or 877-229-7136 toll free.

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