A.A. Wright Public School leads inclusion with student-led Braille club

Grade 5 student Legacie Shipman-Rogers leads a weekly Braille Club at A.A. Wright Public School in Wallaceburg, teaching peers to read and write Braille with equipment provided by the Lambton Kent District School Board; the program has grown in popularity and recently added a sign language component.

A.A. Wright Public School in Wallaceburg runs a weekly Braille Club led by Grade 5 student Legacie Shipman-Rogers. Legacie, who is legally blind, teaches classmates Braille during the lunch hour and uses Brailler machines supplied through the Lambton Kent District School Board's Blind/Low Vision department. The club began around World Braille Day on January 4 and has expanded to include a sign language component. Teacher Julianne Vandernaalt, who works with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Blind and Low Vision students for LKDSB, supports the program and helped develop the welcoming environment that has attracted more participants. Key details: - The club meets weekly during lunch and is led by Grade 5 student Legacie Shipman-Rogers. - Legacie is legally blind and teaches peers to read and write Braille using Brailler machines provided by the LKDSB Blind/Low Vision department. - The program's timing coincided with World Braille Day on January 4, noted as a day of awareness about Braille. - Julianne Vandernaalt, a teacher for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Blind and Low Vision students, works alongside Legacie and drew on her lived experience to help shape the program. - The club has expanded to include a sign language component and has grown in popularity; Legacie is also known for engaging with staff and introducing visitors to the school's fish, Gary. Summary: The Braille Club has become a practical expression of inclusion at A.A. Wright Public School and has encouraged students to learn about different ways of communicating. Undetermined at this time.