CONFIDENTLY COOKING Ivy Tech Indianapolis collaborates with Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to create innovative new cooking program
Photo by: Jeff Bricker
C ooking is not just about preparing a meal; it’s a journey of independence, confidence, and self-discovery. For stu- dents at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI), this journey is becom- ing a reality, thanks to an inno- vative new cooking program developed in collaboration with Ivy Tech Indianapolis. Starting a culinary program at ISBVI has been a dream goal for Judy Reynolds. Reynolds has served at ISBVI for 30 years as a teacher, coordinator of the student training and employment program, and now, as ISBVI’s Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) director. A position of which she will soon retire.
“The idea for the cooking class had been brewing for years, but there were challenges to over- come. Finding the right person with the expertise to teach blind students how to cook confidently was a significant hurdle. We needed someone who not only understood cook- ing but also possessed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and adaptations re- quired for individuals with visual impairments,” Reynolds said. ISBVI’s ECC consists of nine essential areas for the holistic development of blind students. Independent living is one of these critical areas, and cooking is a fundamental life skill within this category. ISBVI students have been limited within a kitchen for decades, only learn-
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