Self DeterminationBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 9, 2019 Self-Determination is all about believing in oneself while understanding one's abilities and limitations. It is important for all students, but particularly those with visual impairments, to learn to cope with failures, be resilient, and strive for success. Students must be taught that they can take control of their lives and learn to fully participate in the world and be successful. Students need to develop knowledge of their disabilities and needs, learn how to appropriately advocate for their needs, problem solve, and access visual impairment resources.
Knowledge of Disability & NeedsIt is important for students to understand their disabilities and unique needs. Help the student develop a knowledge of their visual impairment and any other disability as well as the unique needs it results in. As part of learning about their disability, the student should be instructed on how to:
As part of learning about their visual impairment, it may be appropriate, to help the student learn the different parts of the eye. The student can do this by examining their own eyes in a mirror and examining the color and shape and differences in the eye. Depending on the student's developmental and cognitive level, it may be appropriate to encourage the student to explore a pull-apart model to help students explore different parts of the eye and discuss the various functions.
Advocate for NeedsIt is important for students to understand and be able to communicate with others about their unique needs. Students need to be taught how to:
Problem SolveAs with all students, it is important for students who are blind or visually impaired to learn how to problem solve and come up with solutions to problems. Encourage the student to develop the following problem-solving skills unique to their visual impairment:
Access Visual Impairment ResourcesIt is important for students to learn to access materials, resources, and agencies for people who are blind or visually impaired.
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Self-Determination Skills
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