Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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      • Conducting a FVLMA
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Instruction in the ECC

The Expanded Core Curriculum addresses the knowledge and skills needed by students with visual impairments due to their unique disability and specific needs. The various areas of the expanded core curriculum provide educators with a way of addressing the needs of students with visual impairments as well as those with additional disabilities. The educational requirements of this population are not always met since the lack of vision is considered "minor", especially when the child is severely impacted by cognitive and physical disabilities.

Instructional Strategies

This section provides tips and strategies for putting together instruction in all areas of the ECC. Some of the pages within this section contain advance copies of information available in publications. They are available to those who have purchased the Complete Set as a way of saying thank you. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Virtual Instruction
  • Development of ECC Resources
  • Teaching in Thematic Units
  • Teaching the ECC
  • Summer Reading (braille)
  • Summer Outdoor Activities
  • Rainy Day Activities​​

Compensatory Access ​

Compensatory skills are those skills needed by students who are blind or visually impaired to access all areas of the core curriculum. All students need to be taught the skills necessary to access information within the standard core curriculum in order to be successful in mastering state and national education standards. Individualized instruction in compensatory skills will help the student who is blind learn about the world, communicate, and develop literacy. Compensatory skills include concept development, spatial understanding, study, and organizational skills, speaking and listening skills and the adaptations required to fully access all areas of the general curriculum. This section provides information or skills and unique instruction to allow the student to access the core curriculum. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Guiding Principles of Concept Development
  • Functional Skills
  • Community Based Experiences
  • Concepts to Teach
  • Organization & Study,
  • Cranmer Abacus Instruction
  • ​Time Management

Communication Modes

Communication modes fall under compensatory skills and incorporate the skills needed by students who are blind or visually impaired. Some students will need instruction in the braille code in order to access print as well as handwriting and signature instruction. Additionally, students may require large print, use of optical devices, recorded materials, picture symbols, and more to support access to communication. This section provides information, suggestions, and strategies in instructing persons in these areas. ​Within this section you can learn more about: ​​​
  • ​Braille Instruction
  • Braille Instruction Materials
  • Writing Braille 
  • Signature & Handwriting
  • ​Nemeth Braille Code
  • Tactile Graphics Instruction
  • Keyboarding Instruction
  • Word Processing and Shortcuts
  • Navigating Computer without a Mouse

Assistive Technology

Students who are blind or have low vision need to acquire a range of technology skills that will give them options for gathering and conveying information. Instruction in the use and maintenance of Assistive Technology is needed in the curriculum for students with visual impairments. This section provides information on a variety of AT devices as well as strategies for instruction. Within this section you can learn more about: 
  • ​​iPads as Instructional Tools
  • Making the iOS Device Accessible
  • iOS Accessibility Resources
  • VoiceOver
  • Video Magnifier Instruction
  • Notetaker Instruction
  • Accessing Audio Books

Sensory Efficiency ​

Sensory efficiency skills include instruction in the use of residual vision, hearing and other senses including use of tactual, gustatory, and olfactory input to identify one's personal possessions or use hearing and other senses to identify people. This section provides information on ways to develop sensory efficiency. Within this section you can learn more about: 
  • ​​Sensory Input
  • Encourage Use of Vision
  • Lightbox Use
  • Sensory Activities for Students with MD
  • Sensory Table
  • Visual Efficiency Skills
  • Visual Attend & Scan Activities
  • Visual Tracking Activities
  • Visual Discrimination Activities
  • Visual Motor Activities
  • Optical Device Use
  • Tactual Readiness
  • Developing Skillful Hands
  • Auditory Readiness
  • ​Listening Skills Instruction

Independent Living

It is important for the student to develop responsibility and independence in order to become the most independent and contributing member of their homes and communities that will promote social acceptance. This section provides information on ways to develop these critical skills. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Responsibility & Independence
  • Mealtime Independence
  • Eating Adaptations
  • Food Preparation
  • Recipe Activities
  • Hygiene & Grooming
  • Dressing & Clothing
  • Money
  • ​Housekeeping​​​

Orientation & Mobility

Orientation pertains to the students’ ability to get about in their immediate environment.  This section provides information on orientation and mobility skills and techniques that are taught in order to help the student safely and efficiently move throughout their environment. Within this section you can learn more about: 
  • ​​Transition Between Activities
  • Proper Guide Techniques
  • Orienting Student to Environment
  • Mobility Skills
  • Travel
  • ​Dog Guides

Social Skills

Social interaction skills must be taught to students with visual impairments because they are unable to casually observe how people interact and socialize with one another.  This section provides information on ways to help students develop positive social skills. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Social Etiquette
  • Non-Verbal Communication
  • Social Interactions
  • Self Concept
  • Icebreakers & Mixers

Career Education

Career education is an essential area of the Expanded Core Curriculum as it provides the student with visual impairment access to an understanding of careers they may not be aware. It also addresses the vocational skills students need to perform jobs and keep employment. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Classroom Jobs
  • Career & Vocational
  • Prepare for College & Career
  • Career Exploration​​​​

Recreational & Leisure 

Recreation and leisure skills may include traditional as well as adapted physical education activities. This section will provide information on how to provide students with support in this area. Within this section you can learn more about: ​​​
  • Recreational & Leisure Skills
  • Learn to Play

Self Determination

Self-Determination highlights the importance of believing in oneself while understanding one's abilities and limitations. This section provides information on how to help students develop self-determination skills.
  • ​Self Determination Skills
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is the body of knowledge and skills that are needed by students with visual impairments due to their unique disability-specific needs. Students with visual impairments need the expanded core curriculum in addition to the core academic curriculum of general education. The ECC should be used as a framework for assessing students, planning individual goals and providing instruction." - American Foundation for the Blind
History of vi
Timeline of Visual Impairments
Biblical Passages 
​Notable People 
Helen Keller
APH Museum
​
Leaders & Legends
History of Braillewriters  
Legislation ​
Visual Impairments
​Structure & Function of the Eye 
Vision Classifications
​Common Vocabulary  
​Common Visual Impairments
​Cortical Visual Impairment
​
Convergence Insufficiency  
Deaf-Blind
Vi organizations & Agencies
Social Etiquette
​VI Organizations
​US Government Agencies
​​Support Networks
​Deaf-Blind Resources
​​​Online Parent Resources
​
Financial Assistance
Vendors
VI book resources
Children's Books
Young Reader Books
Books on Dog Guides
​Teen & Young Adult Books
Non-Fiction Books
Helen Keller Books
​​Parent Resource Books 
Grief and Suffering
VI Professionals
​Become a Vision Professional
Professional Prep Programs
Teacher of Students with VI
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Low Vision Specialist  
Rehabilitation Specialists
CATIS
Paraprofessionals & Braillists ​ ​
Professionalism
​Professional Ethics  
​Professional Development 
​Teacher Standards  
Professional Organizations
Certification Organizations
Awards & Recognition
APH Scholar Program
​Collaboration Strategies
Dealing with Challenges
Instructional Planning
VI Program Handbook
Caseload Analysis  
Itinerant Teacher Tips 
Year at a Glance
Role of Classroom Teacher  
​​Simulation Activities 
Organization & Time Management Strategies
Material Preparation
​
Professional Publications
General VI Resource Books
CVI & MD Resources Books
Braille Resource Books
O&M Resource Books
Early Intervention Resource Books
​Journal Resources
Educational Programming
National Agenda
​
The Expanded Core Curriculum
IDEA and Vision 
​Federal Quota Funds
Deaf-Blind Count
​State SpEd Agencies 
​​Schools for the Blind ​
Individual Learning Differences
Language Development
Impact on Development & Learning
Psychological Impact
Strategies for SIDPID
Strategies for MIMO
referrals
​Vision Concerns 
​Referral Process  
Eligibility Guidelines  
Vision Therapy Controversy  ​
When Student Doesn't Qualify
Medical vision exams
​Medical Professionals
Vision Tests & Tools
​
Visual Acuity
Lenses
Visual Fields
fvlma
​What is the FVE
Interpreting the Eye Report  ​
Environmental Observations

FVLMA Observations
Interviews
Assessment Kit Materials
Oculomotor Skills
Near Vision Acuities
Print Comparisons
Distance Acuity 
​
Test Visual Fields
Vision Skills
Learning Media Assessment
Reading Rates
Writing the FVE Report  ​
additional evaluations
Low Vision Evaluation  ​
Orientation & Mobility Evaluation  
Educational Assessments  
Assistive Technology Assessment
service planning
​​ECC Annual Needs 
Unique Visual Needs
​Accommodations & Modification  ​
Service Delivery Models  
Least Restrictive Environment
Early Interventions Services
​Students with Multiple Disabilities
​Student Led IEP's 
504 Plans
​Transition Plans
writing goals
Writing SMART Goals
Blooms Taxonomy  
Compensatory Goals 
Sensory Efficiency Goals 
Assistive Technology Goals 
Social Skills Goals 
Independent Living Goals 
Recreation & Leisure Goals 
Self Determination Goals 
Career & Vocational 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
Responsibility & Independence
​
General Home Safety  
Mealtime Independence
Eating Adaptions
Bathroom Adaptations
​
Dressing & Clothing Management
Clothing Management
Medication Adaptations
​Kitchen Adaptations
Food Preparation   
Recipe Activities

Hygiene & Grooming
​
​Money
Housekeeping  ​
orientation & Mobility
​Transition Between Activities
Proper Guide Techniques 
Orienting Student to Environment
Mobility Skills
Travel  
Dog Guides
​​School Campus Adaptations
Classroom Design Tips
career education
Classroom Jobs
​Career & Vocational  ​
Prepare for College & Career
​
Career Exploration
social skills
​Non-Verbal Communication  
Social Interactions  
Self Concept
Icebreakers & Mixers
recreation & Leisure
Recreation & Leisure
​Recreation Adaptations  
Recreation Resources
​
Playground Adaptations
​VI Sports Associations
Camps for VI
Learn to Play
Art Adaptations
Art Materials
Music
Music & Movement
Dance
​Card and Board Games 
Transcribe Playing Cards
Summer Outdoor Activities
​
Rainy Day Activities  ​
self determination
Self Determination Skills  ​
Thank you for visiting!
The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide all persons involved in education students who are blind or visually impaired with the necessary resources to help each student become successful members of their communities and to equip those in the visual impairment field with resources to meet the wide range of needs of the students they serve. ​
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  • Home
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • FAQs
    • User Agreement
  • VI Store & Gifts
    • VI Gift Shop >
      • Braille Necklaces
      • VI Shirts
      • Badge Holders
      • VI Drinkware
      • Vision Bags & Totes
      • Braille Greeting Cards
      • Keyrings/Zipper Pulls/White Cane Tags
      • Ornaments
    • ECC Instructional Resources >
      • TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle
      • TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC
      • Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheets
      • Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency
      • Task Box Activities
      • Vocabulary Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Purchase Recorded Presentations >
      • Presentation Complete Set of 16
      • Foundations of Teaching the ECC
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategies & Tips
      • Strategies & Activities for SIDPID
      • Strategies & Activities for MIMO
      • Job Tasks for Jobs, Career & Life
      • Strategies & Activities for Standard Course of Study
      • Accommodations for BLVI
      • Accessible Content for BLVI
      • Using Themes to Teach the ECC
      • Tips for Being a Physically Fit TVI
      • Conducting a FVLMA
      • Developing SMARTER Goals
      • Determining Service Intensity Using the VISSIT
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • The Art of Teaching the ECC
      • Activities to Teach the ECC
    • Job Postings
    • Product Support
  • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • TVI, Greene Co., Ohio
    • TVI or Dual TVI/COMS, North Carolina
  • Articles
  • Paid Member Pages
  • Member Pages