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When Harry Shiff, a first grader at Myers-Ganoung Elementary
School, got his own manual wheelchair at the age of four, he was taken under
the wing of TUSD Orientation & Mobility Specialist Dr. Bil Hawkins. Harry
has multiple disabilities and has been enrolled in TUSD for over three
years. According to Anne Shiff, Harry's mother, one of the many assets they
have found through TUSD is the Orientation & Mobility training that Harry
receives through Hawkins, who goes by Dr. Bil.
“Due to Dr. Bil's keen understanding of Harry’s emerging
speech, limited vision, and eagerness to learn, both have grown to love their
outings that combine education, fun, and friendship,” notes Shiff.
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Hawkins began his Orientation & Mobility training in
1973 and has been teaching children who are blind or visually impaired since
then. His work with Harry entails teaching him language, navigation,
control of his chair, and more effective use of his vision. During most
school days, Harry spends part of his day in a self-contained classroom and
part of his day mainstreamed. Twice a month, however, Harry and Dr. Bil
go out into the community to learn about maneuvering his wheelchair through
locations such as grocery stores, shopping centers, sidewalks and crosswalks.
“Harry has a very unique way of viewing and dealing with the
world,” explains Hawkins. “Orientation & Mobility is one of the tools
that will give Harry greater access to the world and the people and
opportunities in it.”
Orientation & Mobility training is a service provided by
TUSD’s Exceptional Education Department. For more information about
Orientation & Mobility training or other services offered by TUSD’s
Exceptional Education Department, call (520) 225-6610.
