Dance initiation at Revabeurs for G-sport Vlaanderen
On December 7 and 8, G-Sport Vlaanderen invited us to teach "dance lessons for the blind and visually impaired" to school students. Since our lessons are generally inclusive, we opted for a mixed setup where some students were blindfolded, and others were not.
The task was carried out by Michèle and Manuel, giving the students a glimpse into the life and sports of a blind dancer.
The didactic setup of the group for the "bachata for beginners" was as follows:
Fixed protocol for interaction:
1. We inform the blind or visually impaired dancer about our process and how we "will work together during the workshop" upon arrival.
2. The contact person also guides the blind or visually impaired person to the dance floor.
3. We inform sighted dancers about the presence of blind and visually impaired participants.
4. We reassure the blind or visually impaired dancer by verbally creating a safe environment: - Indicating obstacles (objects, other dancers…) - Indicating the position relative to the sound (the speaker, the instructors, the other dancers). The workshop:
5. Line setup where one blind participant places their hand on the shoulder of one sighted dancer to learn the basic bachata steps.
6. The basic steps, spread over 8 counts with 4 to one side and 4 to the other, are performed horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
7. First without music, then with music.
8. Partner dancing (no distinction between dancers: sighted with sighted, blind and visually impaired with blind and visually impaired, blind and visually impaired with sighted) for basic steps in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions. Open and closed positions and half turns (4 steps horizontally, 4 steps in a turning partner movement). The demonstration:
9. Demonstration by Manuel & Michèle for the students.
10. Q&A session with Manuel from the students: "What is it like to be blind?" Information, introduction, and spreading awareness about "dancing for the blind."
In total, we were able to inform and introduce more than 100 students to "dancing for the blind and visually impaired," making this task part of our project on "Visual Impairment and Inclusion for the King Baudouin Foundation."
Image Description
photo 1: The students are lined up on the dance floor. Michèle and Manuel are in the center. The setup pairs one sighted and one blindfolded dancer, with the hand placed on the shoulder of the sighted dancer. Michèle counts the rhythm and extends one of her hands as a signal to start.
photo 2: Manuel and Michèle are giving a demo. The students are seated in a circle spread around them.
photo 3: Group photo of the students.
