盲人學生受舞蹈冠軍的鼓舞，翩翩起舞！

Strictly Come Dancing is a famous TV show in the UK where celebrities learn to dance with professional partners. In 2024, Chris McCausland, a comedian who is blind, won the show. He used to study at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford during the 1990s. After his big win, students at his old college became very interested in learning ballroom dancing. Many of them said they were excited to have the chance to dance, something they had not tried before.

The Royal National College for the Blind started offering ballroom dance classes for their students. Some of the students spent the whole school year learning dances like the quickstep and the jive. They even took their first dance exam and passed. Rashmi Becker, who started the first ballroom program for blind people in the country, said that more students wanted to join after Chris won Strictly. She explained that teaching blind students is not as difficult as people might think. Teachers use touch and music to help guide the students through the steps.

The dance lessons are taught by Translucent Dance Studio from Worcester. The teachers help the students by guiding them and making sure they understand each move. Amy Griffin, one of the students, said she always loved watching Strictly Come Dancing, but she could never see the dances. Now, by learning to dance herself, she can imagine what it is like. She said she really enjoys the classes. Another student, Freeman Fox, said he was happy to try something new and different. He said it was a special chance that does not come often, so he wanted to make the most of it. The college hopes to keep the dance classes going, but they need more volunteers to help. Lucy Proctor from the college said that dancing is very good for the students' health and happiness. She hopes they can find enough volunteers so every student who wants to dance can join in.