Library
Approach the librarian and ask if they would be willing to participate and if they have any ideas. We were able to check out all kinds of books on the subject from the city library (see a list of suggested reading), and make them available for checkout to classroom teachers to read to their classes. We also had volunteers come in and read these selected books to the children during their 30-minute library period. At another school, the librarians preferred to do the reading.
Music
Approach the music department to ask them to participate in the week. Ask if they have any ideas. The music department at one school taught grades 1, 2 and 3 a song in sign language, which they performed for the whole school at the week’s closing assembly. Download this sign language song.jpg.
Art
Approach them and ask if they would be willing to focus artwork on the topic for that week. Ideas include painting with the brush held in your mouth or building a model out of clay while blindfolded.
P.E.
Approach them and ask if they have any ideas. At one school, we provided an old wheelchair that the students used in games. At another school, the PE teachers created a variety of activities, including having one hand tied loosely to inhibit its use.
There are also several children’s games that can be played, such as “Bat and Moth.” The children gather in a circle, and two children are within the circle. One is blindfolded and is the bat, and the other is the moth. The object of the game is for the bat to catch the moth by noises he or she makes, without the use of sight.
Consider a discussion about involvement of all classmates on teams, versus the need to win at all costs. How does it feel for the student with physical limitations to be chosen last, or not at all?