VAN NUYS : Youths, Deaf Children to Attend Concert

A group of about 15 youths from a residential psychiatric treatment center in Van Nuys will attend a concert with deaf children at John Anson Ford Theater today.

The program, sponsored by the art therapy organization, Heartworld, is designed to give the young people, ages 10 to 17, an idea of what it’s like to live with a permanent, physical disability such as hearing impairment.

Heartworld members will be asked to wear ear covers to block out the music performed during the concert, focusing on a music interpreter who will use body language to represent sounds.

Heartworld founder Anne Nathan-Wlodarski said she hopes the impact of the program on the children will be similar to the results of a program held several months ago at an art gallery in Woodland Hills.

At that event, youths from Mid Valley met blind adults from the Braille Institute for a gallery tour and sculpting class.

The students donned special goggles that distorted or blocked their eyesight, relying on a guide to describe paintings and sculptures.

After the event, youths said they began to see their own problems in a different light.

At the upcoming concert, Nathan-Wlodarski hopes the youngsters will gain insight into the disadvantages of others, and learn methods of coping with and overcoming obstacles.

The deaf children who will attend the concert, titled “Oh What A Day,” will come from the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, and other schools for the hearing impaired.

For more information on Heartworld programs, call (818) 904-0707.