A.A. Wright Public School is promoting inclusion and accessibility through a student-led Braille Club that has become a meaningful part of the school’s culture.
The initiative was highlighted as Canada marked World Braille Day on Jan. 4, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of Braille as a means of communication for people who are blind or have low vision. At A.A. Wright, the principles behind the day are reflected weekly through the Braille Club, which focuses on literacy, access to information, independence and social inclusion.
The club is led by Grade 5 student Legacie Shipman-Rogers, who is legally blind, alongside Julianne Vandernaalt, a teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Blind and Low Vision with the Lambton Kent District School Board. During weekly lunch-hour sessions, students learn Braille through hands-on activities and have opportunities to use Brailler machines provided through the board’s Blind and Low Vision department.
What began as a small initiative has continued to grow, with increasing interest from students eager to learn new skills while better understanding accessibility and inclusion. The program has recently expanded to include a sign language component, allowing participants to practice signing and explore different forms of communication.
Vandernaalt, who has lived experience as a child of Deaf adults and as a parent of a child with low vision, said the initiative is especially meaningful to her. She praised Legacie’s leadership, saying, “Once you meet her, you won’t ever forget her.”
Legacie’s enthusiasm extends beyond the club, as she regularly connects with staff, students and visitors throughout the school. Her leadership has helped make the Braille Club more than an extracurricular activity, turning it into a symbol of acceptance, inclusion and community at A.A. Wright Public School.
