Jump start junior
Deaf and Blind college student Bayley Webb poses one of her fur-babies, a black kitten perched on her shoulders.
Limitless not Limited: A Blind and Deaf WSB Client Advocates for Herself and Others
As most college students her age, Bayley W., aka Blue Eyed Bailey, has a very busy schedule. In between classes and internships for her degree in Special Education, she continues to volunteer at World Services for the Blind, her first Alma Matter.
Bayley stands out from others her age, however, since she is deaf and legally blind. In our Limitless not Limited Series, we sat down with Bayley to ask her a few questions about what motivates her.
How are you connected to WSB?
BW: My connection with WSB is primarily the clients and staff there. I got connected back in high school when I was in Jump Start and became close with some of the clients when I was a client myself for college prep. I volunteer because I want to give back and help others.
Have you overcome any obstacles recently?
BW: As a Deaf-blind woman, I’m faced with many challenges and obstacles. World Services for the Blind gave me community, family, and helped me strengthen my daily living skills such as reading Braille or navigating a busy intersection.
As a young person, you seem determined to be independent. What are your plans for the future?
BW: My current career path is Special Education k-12 and I hope in the future to achieve several goals. One is to help another individual who needs help find their way just like I needed help. Another is to create a safe place in my classroom because I know what it’s like to walk into a classroom that is safe and be able to take a breather from the world for a short time.
Many of us hear how easy it has become for people with disabilities in the past few years. Tell us about your experience as a deaf/blind person.
BW: Growing up deaf-blind shaped my outlook on life. I learned that not everyone is going to see you as a person. I grew up not knowing ASL or Braille until later in life and it has affected me now as an adult because most people don’t believe I have a disability when in fact I do. I’ve been denied jobs for the sole reason I was unable to hear and see well enough to work at a cashiers desk and be able to greet people walking into a retail store. I’ve been denied interpreters because I use my residual hearing and sight so much that I appear “normal.” One lesson I’ve learned from all of my experiences and challenges is that you have to advocate for yourself.
What does your life look like in 10 years?
BW: I see myself happily married. I want to be healthy and my mental health to be in a much better place in the future. In 10 years, I’m teaching, be it at ASBVI, ASD, or a public school here in Arkansas. I’m teaching. I graduated. I got my degree and passed my praxis exams.