(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Easter egg hunts are an enduring tradition at springtime, with colorful eggs hidden around the house or yard, just waiting to be discovered in a joyful and friendly competition among children. But for some kids, an Easter egg hunt can be a challenge.
That’s where the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB) stepped up to create a unique opportunity for students with low vision or blindness by using beeping eggs.
“We are offering the beeping egg hunt for students and children who are blind/low vision and really, it’s a safe, inclusive environment for them to participate in a long-held tradition of hunting eggs. But instead of seeing them, they hear them,” said Ashley Renslow, Early Educator Coordinator Through Outreach Programs.
The eggs are specially designed so that children with low vision can seek out the beeping sound and follow it to the special treat.
“We have always partnered with the Deaf and Blind School to provide an Easter egg hunt,” said Joyce Robbins, member of Legacy West Pioneers. “The beeping eggs were engineered by an AT&T engineer many years ago to do the beeping baseball. And then it was adapted to Easter eggs.”
The children lined up on the sidewalk at CSDB for their egg hunt on Thursday, April 17, and they could hardly contain their excitement as they hurried to find these unique hidden treasures. And while the Easter egg hunt serves to provide the children with the same fun experiences their peers get to enjoy, it also helps them build real-world skills.
“It’s fabulous because they get to build self-confidence,” said Renslow. “They get to work on essential skills, orientation, mobility, location, and localization. And it’s fun! They get to participate in something they don’t normally do in all the community parks.”
In addition to building their skills and having fun, the best part for the students was making them feel included and allowing them to just be a kid.
“It made me feel great,” said CSDB student Matthew. “I got eight eggs in total, counting… the one that I got in the basket. Except for my sister took one!”
