Allen High School junior Clara Coppinger has turned her passion for advocacy into action through her vision awareness project, “Seeing: I to Eye.” Her initiative, designed to increase awareness of visual impairments and part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project, was showcased at Lowery Freshman Center during Connections time in February for Low Vision Awareness Month.
With guidance from Envision Dallas, an organization supporting individuals with visual impairments, Clara developed a video and slideshow to create empathy and awareness. The project featured contributions from four Allen High School students with visual impairments, offering an authentic perspective on the challenges and experiences of living with low vision. Clara's mentor from Envision Dallas passed away in the fall, and Trish Reyna, MSpEd, TSVI, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments with Special Services at Dillard SAC, stepped in to support her through the final stages of the project. Despite this emotional hurdle, Clara remained committed to bringing her vision to life.
“Clara's work is important for people who have a visual impairment,” Reyna said. “Through her project, Clara educated high schoolers on the difficulties that students with visual impairments, including legal blindness, encounter and how they adapt to access their learning materials.”
Students at Lowery engaged with the presentation through interactive challenge activities, which encouraged them to brainstorm ways to make everyday games, like bowling and baseball, accessible to individuals who are blind. Clara also included a hands-on component where students decorated Valentine’s Day cards using tactile elements like Braille, which were later distributed by Envision Dallas.
In addition to her presentation, Clara organized a workshop where she taught others how to use a slate and stylus to Braille messages. The goal of her project extends beyond a one-time presentation—her disability awareness video is set to be shown annually each February at Lowery Freshman Center to continue fostering empathy and understanding among students.
“I hope that the freshmen will be more aware and compassionate toward persons with disabilities,” Reyna said.
Clara’s dedication exemplifies the power of education and advocacy by creating a lasting impact in her community. Her project not only educates others but also champions inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with visual impairments.