Mazes bring an amazing day

Seeing-eye dogs and children of all ages ran around Sitterson Hall on Wednesday, learning valuable life skills and making new friends.

More than 45 children with visual impairments gathered for Maze Day, an event put on by the Department of Computer Science.

The participants experimented with technology — including computer games and several room-size mazes made of Styrofoam — created by UNC researchers for people with visual impairments.

Before entering the rooms, children learned the techniques needed to successfully complete a maze with the help of hand-held mazes and a computer game.

“The kids were going through the maze 10 times in a row,” said Diane Brauner, orientation and mobility specialist. “They were having a ball with it.”

The event began as a project for professor Gary Bishop’s computer science class and snowballed into a daylong exhibition.

“A student in my class, Megan Anderson, and her team did several kinds of mazes — both for computers and real,” Bishop said.

“Then … Diane Brauner sent out an e-mail about it, and people piled on. So many people said, ‘We want to come! We want to come!’ so we decided to make a day of it.”

Visitors also enjoyed activities such as Braille Twister, a game that teaches children the Braille alphabet while helping them develop upper-body strength; and Haptic Cell, a program that simulates the feeling of the inside of a living cell.

All Tunes, a computer program that makes iPod music players more accessible for the visually impaired, was a hit with teenagers.

Guests also listened to motivational words from visually impaired college students.

The speakers explained the obstacles they face in a typical semester, such as purchasing textbooks, dealing with fellow students and getting around campus.

Because there are a limited number of on-campus programs for the visually impaired, many attended the event, Bishop said.

The maze drew families from counties across the state and as far as Virginia.

For many guests, the highlight of the event was a visit from Leah Metcalf, a UNC women’s basketball player.

“I had a really fun time,” Metcalf said. “It was amazing to see all the things they had put together to help out the people that can’t see as well.”

Organizers dubbed the day a success and said they plan to make it an annual event.

“These blind kids don’t get to do much, and there aren’t many field trips for them,” Bishop said.

“One of the teachers told me it was the first time she had seen one of her students smile before. We promised everybody we’ll do it again next year.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.