Students from the FSDB Blind Department traveled to Tampa on November 9, 2019, to compete in Cane Quest 2019. Of the 46 students competing from across the state, 10 of the students were from FSDB!
Created by the Braille Institute of America, Cane Quest is a national competition that tests the ability of blind and visually impaired students in grades 3-12 to navigate the world around them independently and safely. Cane Quest tests independent travel skills by having students follow a route through residential and business neighborhoods via both braille and auditory instructions. Contestants compete in three divisions: Scouts: grades 3 to 6, Explorers: grades 7 to 9, and Trailblazers: grades 10 to 12.
As part of the Cane Quest 2019 regional competition, FSDB students participated in multiple challenges to test their orientation and mobility skills. These challenges included cane technique, indoor travel, residential travel, small business travel, and bus travel.
The theme for this year's regional Cane Quest was "Bat's What I'm Talking About." During the competition, students also learned about bats through hands-on activities. The Tampa Bay Bats gave a presentation on bats and brought some of the animals for the students to see and hear how they use echolocation when they travel.
In the Explorer division, FSDB students Breanna Raisor (first), Addison Burgess (second), and Taylore Sherman (third) took home the top three spots. Kaitlyn Deverson and Z'Leah Liburd finished second and third in the Trailblazer division, respectively.
Congratulations to all the students who took part in Cane Quest 2019!
By Jennifer Enache, Blind Department
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. For a campus tour or to inquire about eligibility for enrollment, contact FSDB Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information, visit www.fsdbk12.org