NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota (UND) CONNECT project is introducing line dancing to students with visual impairments at the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB). This initiative, termed "Dance Like No One’s Watching," is a collaboration between the departments of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy at UND, and NDVS/SB. It is designed to help improve motor, spatial, and social skills for students with visual impairments.

Assistant Professor Harry Liu, co-lead on the project, explained, "We wanted to apply our academic knowledge to the real world — to help students who may not always get to enjoy physical activity the same way we do." The project began after Liu and Jessica Zorn, a faculty resident in Physical Therapy, proposed the idea. Funding is provided by the UND Provost’s Office and the Gibbens Memorial Grant, which also supplied play equipment for NDVS/SB.

Cindy Williams, program coordinator at NDVS/SB, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “We’ve worked with UND’s Kinesiology department before on physical activity stations, so when Harry reached out about the line dancing, we were super excited,” she stated.

Zorn emphasized the inclusive nature of line dancing, saying, "It’s fun, it’s communal and it helps students connect with their classmates." Having experience in line dancing herself, Zorn knew it was apt for NDVS/SB students. The project name, coined by Zorn, aims to foster an environment where students can dance freely and without judgment.

Students at NDVS/SB have varying levels of visual impairment, which pose challenges for traditional dance forms. However, the structured nature of line dancing makes it more accessible, as Williams noted: "With line dancing, we can give verbal prompts like ‘step to the left together’ or ‘turn right,’" assisting students with their spatial orientation and mobility skills.

Graduate student Wei Mao, a first-year kinesiology student and the primary dance instructor, reflected on her experience, "This is my first experience teaching students with visual impairments...That moment really stuck with me — it reminded me that we’re doing something that’s really meaningful.”

Williams observed that some students were hesitant initially but became more engaged over time. One notable moment involved a student who, after reluctance, performed a swing dance with a volunteer from the UND Swing Dance Club, which underscored the project's impact.

Additionally, the Gibbens Memorial Grant enabled the project to provide accessible sports equipment, including frisbee and bocce ball sets. Williams remarked on the positive response: "Just seeing them enjoy themselves outdoors and trying new things is wonderful."

The UND Swing Dance Club volunteers have also contributed to making the project a memorable experience for all involved.