What do pizza, Milo, and problem-solving have in common? They were all on the menu at our recent Cooking Without Looking Workshop at Coorparoo.
Seven young clients joined forces with our brilliant multidisciplinary team of therapists for a day of hands-on learning, laughter and life-ready growth in the kitchen.
The menu included DIY pizza, chocolate chip cookie slice, colourful fruit skewers and Milo drinks.
But it wasn’t just about tasty treats. Participants sharpened far more than their knife skills. This session was designed to develop independence and confidence across multiple Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) areas - vital learning domains for children and young people who are blind or have low vision.
The ECC includes nine key areas that support access to the curriculum and life beyond the classroom, including independent living skills, sensory efficiency skills, assistive technology, self-determination and social interaction skills.
What we practised and why it matters
Clients explored common utensils and adaptive equipment like talking scales and liquid level indicators. These tools are essential for building confidence and accuracy in the kitchen, where sighted cues are often the default.
They learned safe knife techniques and how to use the oven and mixer with care. These skills open the door to greater independence and are supported by research showing that blind and low vision individuals can achieve high levels of safety and competence with appropriate training and practice.
We explored ways to make cooking more accessible by adjusting lighting, increasing contrast and reducing clutter. These strategies support sensory efficiency and make task completion smoother and safer.
Clients worked in pairs to read recipes using accessible formats, choose equipment and prepare ingredients. Collaboration built both social interaction and self-determination, empowering participants to advocate for their needs and share tasks in a meaningful way.
Finally, everyone learned how to clean up - dishes, benches, and floors - reinforcing routines that support both independence and shared responsibility at home, school and work.
Research and practical experience show that people who are blind or have low vision are capable of completing cooking tasks safely and effectively when given the right training and tools. Activities like these allow children and teens to build routines that carry over into everyday life, from making breakfast before school to preparing for independent living in the future.
Here’s to rocking the daily living skills as early as possible in life, and sitting in the sun with a nice mug of Milo to reward yourself for your efforts.
