SK Happiness Sharing Foundation (Chairman Choi Ki-won) announced on the 29th that it will hold a talk concert for parents of visually impaired children. This event is part of the ‘Braille Literacy Enhancement Project for Visually Impaired Children,’ planned in cooperation with the Korea Braille Education Center.
The event, under the theme ‘Is Our Child Getting Along Well with the World?’, will focus on the social relationship formation of visually impaired children and the role of parents. The topics are organized into △Peer Relationships △Romantic Relationships △Family Relationships, with sessions to share experiences and concerns that children face in these relationships and for parents to exchange practical advice.
The first session was held on the 28th, focusing on ‘Peer Relationships.’ Visually impaired university students and their non-disabled friends participated as panelists, sharing the process of becoming friends during school days, the challenges faced, and the positive impacts they had on each other. They also openly expressed what they hope for from their parents from the children’s perspective.
In a subsequent session where parents participated directly, experiences of facing their children’s social difficulties and methods of addressing these issues were shared. Participating parents expressed, “We were able to feel a sense of empathy while sharing concerns, and also gained realistic advice.”
Through this project, SK Happiness Sharing Foundation has been providing braille learning materials ‘JUMP’ for visually impaired children aged 6-13 years since 2020, having educated 154 children so far. To enhance learning effectiveness, the role of parents at home is emphasized, and programs targeting parents are also being operated.
Ye Hye-jin, the manager of the World Files Team at SK Happiness Sharing Foundation, who planned the event, said, “Communication and social skills within relationships are as important as braille and independent walking skills for child independence,” and added, “We plan to offer various programs to help parents support their children’s social development.”
The 2nd and 3rd talk concerts will be held on June 24 and July 23, respectively, focusing on romantic relationships and family relationships.
