Welcome to Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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ECC Annual Needs ConsiderationBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com The Expanded Core Curriculum consists of nine unique areas that address the knowledge and skills needed by students with visual impairments due to their unique needs. The various areas of the expanded core curriculum provide educators with a way of addressing the needs of students with visual impairments. The student's needs in each of the areas should be considered each year and priorities made as to which areas should be focused on. Direct instruction is recommended for those areas that require the specialized skills of the TVI to help a student acquire or maintain skills. Consultation or collaboration should be indicated when time is needed by the TVI to share strategies, materials, adapted curriculum, environmental modifications, and medical information and to model and monitor instructional techniques with the educational team. Not all students will need to learn all the skills within the Expanded Core Curriculum.
Compensatory SkillsCompensatory skills are those skills needed by students who are blind or visually impaired to access all areas of the core curriculum. This includes concept development, spatial understanding, study and organizational skills, speaking & listening skills, and adaptations needed to access the core curriculum (braille, large print, regular print with low vision devices, recordings).
Assistive TechnologyTechnology can level the playing field for students with visual impairments and can be a great equalizer. Students who are blind or have low vision need to acquire a range of technical skills that will give them options for gathering and conveying information.
Social SkillsSocial interaction skills include socially appropriate behavior such as facial expressions, body language, eye contact, etc. which are primarily learned by watching others. These may need to be taught to students with visual impairments because they may be unable to casually observe how people interact and socialize with one another.
Self-DeterminationSelf-Determination highlights the importance of believing in oneself while understanding one’s abilities and limitations including knowledge of one’s visual impairment. It is important for all students, but particularly those with visual impairments to learn to cope with failures and how to strive for success.
Sensory EfficiencySensory efficiency skills include using one’s remaining senses (vision, auditory, olfactory, and tactile) to function more efficiently and effectively (e.g. use of environmental cues, non-optical tools, optical low vision devices, etc.)
Independent Living SkillsIndependent Living Skills includes everyday activities that allow a person to lead independent lives (personal hygiene, food preparation, money and time management, organization, etc.). It is important for the student to develop responsibility and independence to become the most independent and contributing member of their homes and communities that will promote social acceptance.
Orientation & MobilityOrientation and Mobility pertain to the student’s ability to move safely and efficiently throughout the environment. Skills include body and spatial awareness, independent travel, use of a long cane, protective techniques, cardinal directions, mental mapping, etc.
Recreation & LeisureRecreation and leisure skills include the development of life-long skills beyond team sports (e.g. play, recreational reading, athletics, hobbies, etc.).
Career & VocationalCareer education provides the student with a visual impairment includes the basic knowledge of the world of work, the transition from school to post-secondary options and also addresses the vocational skills students need to perform jobs and keep employment.
Additional Resources...
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History of vi
Visual Impairments
Vi organizations & Agencies
VI book resources
VI Professionals
Professionalism
Instructional Planning
Professional Publications
Educational Programming
Individual Learning Differences
referrals
Medical vision exams
fvlma
additional evaluations
service planning
writing goals
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles Functional Skills Community Based Experiences Concepts to Teach Organization & Study Skills Time Management Virtual Instruction Movies & Assemblies Lectures & Instruction Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.) Daily Schedule Morning Meeting Weather Check Dramatic Play Blocks Numbers & Counting Cranmer Abacus Instruction Algebra Geometry & Spatial Sense Measurement & Data Early Literacy Experiences Create Tactual Books Reading Instruction Reading Efficiency Science Adaptations Social Studies Adaptations Accessible Educational Materials Individual Schedules & Communication Cards Adjust Lighting Large Print Optical Devices for Near Optical Devices for Distance Optical Device Use Photocopying Font Legibility Increase Contrast Pictures & Worksheets Keyboarding Instruction Word Processing and Shortcuts Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse Braille Code Braille Instruction Braille Instruction Materials Writing Braille Summer Reading (braille) Signature & Handwriting Nemeth Braille Code Tactile Graphics Guidelines Creating Tactile Graphics Tactile Graphics Instruction Teacher Made Materials Labeling System assistive technology
Overview of Assistive Technology VI AT Resources Non-Optical Low Vision Devices Video Magnifiers Video Magnifier Instruction Screen Enlargement & Readers Low/Med. Tech Tactual Devices Notetaker Instruction Braillewriter Repair Tactile Graphics Technology Braille Technology Auditory Access Devices Accessing Audio Books iPads as Instructional Tools Making iOS Device Accessible iOS Accessibility Resources VoiceOver Apps for VI Note Taking apps Apps for Accessing Books Identification Apps Navigation & Location Apps Braille Apps Magnifier Apps Sound Making Apps Cause & Effect Apps Vision Skills Apps Apps for Early Learning Read to Me Story Apps Apps for Communication Android Apps for VI sensory efficiency
Sensory Input Encourage Use of Vision Sensory Area & Rooms Lightbox Use Sensory Activities for Students with Multiple Disabilities Sensory Tables Visual Efficiency Skills Visual Attend and Scan Activities Visual Tracking Activities Visual Discrimination Activities Visual Motor Activities Tactual Readiness Developing Skillful Hands Auditory Readiness Listening Skill Instruction independent living
orientation & Mobility
career education
recreation & Leisure
self determination
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