Former student pens book on State School for the Blind

Central Park — Former Washington State School for the Blind student Dan Tolva has authored a book highlighting 125 years of the Washington State School for the Blind. “Unlimited Visibility: A 125-year History of the Washington State School for the Blind” puts a human face to the issue of preparing the blind and visually impaired for life in the “real world.” Vignettes in the book include stories of people such as Robert Irwin, the first graduate of what was then the School for Defective Youth, who worked his way through college and went on to become a national and world leader in the education of the blind. Also featured is Christy Gilbrough, a deaf and blind student who holds down a job and pursues learning even at the age of 66. The book, in either print or braille, can be purchased for $25 by contacting Janet Kurz at 360-696-6321, ext. 120.