Wed., October 19
The Blind Advantage

The Blind Advantage

We meet a man whose disability transformed a Boston Public School. Retired Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School principal Bill Henderson's book, The Blind Advantage, describes how losing his sight helped him think about learning and teaching in a new way. In his 30's, fit and a father of three, he was going blind due to a degenerative disease. His doctor told him to stop teaching, and he qualified for disability. Instead, Henderson pursued a Doctorate in Education. He learned how to read Braille and use a cane. In knowing that a disability wouldn’t stop him, Henderson understood that all kids with disabilities could thrive in a rigorous academic setting. He went on to use this skills and insight to transform the Patrick O’Hearn Elementary School in Dorchester.