Visually impaired students experience Medieval Times through sound, touch

Students from St. Joseph's School for the Blind in Jersey City are at Medieval Times in Lyndhurst – and while they may not be able to see the show -- many people are working to make sure it feels like they're right in the middle of it.

News 12 Staff

May 1, 2019, 3:20 PM

Updated 1,828 days ago

Share:

Students from St. Joseph's School for the Blind in Jersey City are at Medieval Times in Lyndhurst – and while they may not be able to see the show -- many people are working to make sure it feels like they're right in the middle of it.
While 80% of learning is done through the eyes, these students have had to rely on their other senses, and for this tournament, it's all about what they hear.
"You can't just say he holds a shiny metal sword,” says Anthony Tramon, with Sound Associates Inc. “They have to know how heavy it is because that dictates to them in their mind, how they're going to move with it, how they're going to fight with it.  They have to hunch their body, they have to lift it with both hands"
"I like the sword,” says Aaron Grimes, a St Joseph's School for the Blind student. “The sword was good.  It reminded me of a game, a blind knight game I play. It was called the Blind Legend.  You're a blind knight and you have to rescue your wife."
Before the tournament, they were able to touch the costumes and armor and speak with the Queen, Lords and Knights.
Once the games began, they all received headsets, where a narrator described each moment in detail.
The teachers say what's so special about this day is that they're surrounded by typical kids and they get to be typical too.
St. Joseph's School for the Blind works with students from ages 3-21 -- and then helps to transition them into the working world.


More from News 12
Officials: 1 person killed, 1 injured in house explosion in South River

Officials: 1 person killed, 1 injured in house explosion in South River

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

2:19
Mostly sunny Friday ahead with cooler temperatures; tracking weekend rain

Mostly sunny Friday ahead with cooler temperatures; tracking weekend rain

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail serves to MetLife Stadium concerns

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail serves to MetLife Stadium concerns

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension