Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Home
  • Foundations of VI
  • Professional Practice
  • VI Service
  • Adaptations
  • VI Assistive Tech
  • ECC Instruction
  • About
  • Contact
  • VI Store & Gifts
    • VI Gift Shop >
      • Braille Jewely
      • VI Shirts
      • VI Drinkware
      • Vision Bags & Totes
      • Braille Greeting Cards
      • White Cane Tags/Keyrings
    • 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
      • Vocabularky Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
      • Untitled
    • 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, Jersey City, NJ
    • O&M Specialist, Jersey City, NJ
    • Consulting Teacher for Blind/Low Vision, Idaho
    • TVI or Dual TVI/COMS, North Carolina
    • TVI Portland & Brunswick, Maine
    • Assistant Director Edu. Services for Blind & VI, Maine
  • Paid Member Pages
    • Recorded Presentations
    • Complete Set Bonus
    • Interactive Sensory Stories
    • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Interactive Visual Discrimination Activities
  • Free Member Pages
    • Free Program Printables
    • Free FVLMA & Service Printables
    • Free VI AT Printables
    • Compensatory Goals
    • Sensory Efficiency Goals
    • Assistive Technology Goals
    • Social Skills Goals
    • Independent Living Goals
    • Recreation & Leisure Goals
    • Self Determination Goals
    • Career & Vocational Goals

Providing Instruction to Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired 

Teaching Students with Visual Impairments LLC logo
Shop Now

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: ​​​
  • Language Development​
  • Braille Instruction
  • Braille Instruction Materials
  • Writing Braille 
  • Signature & Handwriting
  • ​Nemeth Braille Code
  • Tactile Graphics Instruction

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
  • Video Magnifier Instruction
  • Notetaker Instruction
  • Accessing Audio Books
  • Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
  • Word Processing & Shortcuts
  • ​Keyboard Instruction​​

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

Shop the VI Store

ECC Instructional Resources

Shop

Recorded Presentations

Shop

Braille Jewelry

Shop

Job Posting Service

Shop

White Cane Tags/Zipper Pulls/Keyrings

Shop

Vision Bags & Totes

Shop

VI Drinkware

Shop

VI Shirts

Shop

Braille Greeting Cards

Shop

Free Membership

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable handbooks and handouts on the Free Printables page along with access to the Goal Bank pages. Simply click on the Log In | Register link in the navigation bar. If you haven't joined yet, you will be prompted to create a password. ​

ECC Complete Set Bonus

Purchase the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC Complete Set and immediately unlock the pages within the ECC Complete Set Bonus including bonus printables, interactive sensory stories, interactive matching activities, interactive choice making activities, job task box activities and MORE! This is my way of continuing to support you and say "Thank you!" for choosing to purchase the Complete Set. 
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. ​
  • About
  • Contact
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • VI Articles Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Product Support
  • User Agreement
Shop the VI Store for:
  • Instructional Resources
  • Recorded Presentation
  • Braille Jewelry
  • VI Shirts
  • VI Drinkware
  • Vision Bags & Totes
  • Cane Tags & Keyrings
  • Braille Greeting Cards
  • Job Posting
Teaching Students with Visual Impairments LLC
​All Rights Reserved
Home Page of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Home
  • Foundations of VI
  • Professional Practice
  • VI Service
  • Adaptations
  • VI Assistive Tech
  • ECC Instruction
  • About
  • Contact
  • VI Store & Gifts
    • VI Gift Shop >
      • Braille Jewely
      • VI Shirts
      • VI Drinkware
      • Vision Bags & Totes
      • Braille Greeting Cards
      • White Cane Tags/Keyrings
    • 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
      • Vocabularky Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
      • Untitled
    • 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, Jersey City, NJ
    • O&M Specialist, Jersey City, NJ
    • Consulting Teacher for Blind/Low Vision, Idaho
    • TVI or Dual TVI/COMS, North Carolina
    • TVI Portland & Brunswick, Maine
    • Assistant Director Edu. Services for Blind & VI, Maine
  • Paid Member Pages
    • Recorded Presentations
    • Complete Set Bonus
    • Interactive Sensory Stories
    • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Interactive Visual Discrimination Activities
  • Free Member Pages
    • Free Program Printables
    • Free FVLMA & Service Printables
    • Free VI AT Printables
    • Compensatory Goals
    • Sensory Efficiency Goals
    • Assistive Technology Goals
    • Social Skills Goals
    • Independent Living Goals
    • Recreation & Leisure Goals
    • Self Determination Goals
    • Career & Vocational Goals