what programs do we offer?
Programs
“Through the UFB, I feel more prepared for college. I have gained independence, as well as confidence.” ~UFB Participant since 6th grade, now a college graduate
Our Programs
Goalball
Goalball is by far the most popular of the sports for the blind and UFB has an extensive goalball program for children, youth and young adults. We teach skills from the very basic to advanced and sponsor play and competition for all levels. Goalball is an international sport and a Paralympic event. Tournaments are held locally (sponsored by UFB), nationally (with one in Salt Lake sponsored by UFB), and internationally. The US Olympic Committee in conjunction with the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has both a US Men’s and Women’s goalball team. UFB’s goalball program includes the following:
⦁ Clinics and practices throughout Utah
⦁ State-wide children and youth tournament
⦁ Utah boys and girls high school goalball team training
⦁ National Youth Championship Tournament participation
⦁ Young adult goalball sessions
⦁ Summer youth sports camp with emphasis on goalball
⦁ Utah men’s and women’s goalball teams regularly accepted to national tournaments
“Goalball makes me feel like I can actually play a sport despite my vision. When I’m out there on the court, nobody can stop me from being my best. I honestly don’t know where I would be today if I didn’t have goalball in my life.” ~UFB participant since 2nd grade, current college student
There are many benefits an individual derives from participation in athletics including physical fitness, improving self-esteem, learning cooperation and teamwork, and developing social skills. In addition to these, our specific goals are to:
⦁ Provide instruction and opportunities for blind children to develop basic physical, motor and fitness skills.
⦁ Provide opportunities for blind children to participate in a variety of athletic events.
⦁ Facilitate the mainstreaming of blind children into integrated athletic programs.
Braille literacy
UFB developed a comprehensive Braille Education Program in 2012 to help more students in Utah become efficient braille readers. Being able to read and write braille is a key component to succeeding academically and vocationally, and we feel that significant efforts are called for to dramatically improve the literacy skills of our blind students. Our goals for these programs are to:
⦁ Prepare students with fundamental concept skills upon which academics can be built
⦁ Teach braille literacy
⦁ Help students build confidence in themselves, their abilities, and potential
expanded core curriculum
Because blindness has such a significant impact on all areas of a child’s education and development, many areas of instruction outside the standard educational curriculum have been identified as being essential for a blind child to receive. Nationally, this is known as the “Expanded Core Curriculum for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Youth.” These specialized areas which are critical to a blind person’s life-long success comprise UFB’s programs and include areas such as independent living skills, literacy, compensatory skills, orientation and mobility, social skills, career education, and physical education and recreation.
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