The Expanded Core Curriculum Overview

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 18, 2025
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) outlines the critical skills that students who are blind or visually impaired need to access learning, develop independence, and participate fully in life. These nine areas go beyond the standard academic curriculum and are essential for success at home, in school, in the community, and in future workplaces.
​IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requires that evaluations and the IEP (Individualized Education Program) address both academic and functional performance. The ECC is the framework for documenting and addressing the unique learning needs of students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities. Below are the 9 areas of the ECC.

Compensatory Access Skill

​These are foundational skills that enable students to access the core curriculum and general learning. Instruction may include:
  • Concept development
  • Communication modes (e.g., Braille reading and writing, large print, tactile symbols)
  • Print modifications (enlarged print, tactile graphics)
  • Handwriting and signature skills
  • Use of Nemeth and other braille codes
  • Use of tactile graphics, abacus, slate and stylus
  • Listening skills and auditory comprehension
  • Organizational and study strategies
  • Use of readers, notetakers, and adapted materials
These skills enable students to learn and demonstrate what they know effectively.

Assistive Technology (AT)

Students must learn to independently use assistive technology (AT) tools that provide access to print, communication, and digital content. Assessment, collaboration, and instruction include:
  • Technology assessments
  • Learning/applying assistive tools
    • Screen readers and magnifiers
    • Braille notetakers and embossers
    • Refreshable braille displays
    • Voiceover and screen access software
    • Keyboarding
    • Use of accessible apps
  • Tech literacy for postsecondary success
  • Team training and ongoing support
AT instruction should be accompanied by training for educational team members to support the student across settings.

Social Interaction Skills

Students with visual impairments often miss out on visual cues such as facial expressions and body language. Instruction includes:
  • Conversational turn-taking
  • Understanding body language
  • Interpreting tone of voice and context
  • Personal space and greetings
  • Making and maintaining friendships
  • Workplace and group interaction skills
  • Self-advocacy
Social skills are essential for success at home, school, work, and in the community.

Self-Determination

Students need to understand themselves, their rights, and how to make informed decisions.  Self-determination skills help students take charge of their learning and lives. Areas include:
  • Self-awareness and confidence
  • Understanding one’s visual impairment and learning needs
  • Self-advocacy
  • Goal setting
  • Problem-solving
  • Decision-making and evaluating outcomes
  • Developing independence and resilience
Students should be active participants in their IEP and life planning.

Sensory Efficiency Skills

These skills help students maximize use of all available senses—vision, hearing, touch, smell, and proprioception. Instruction may involve:
  • Use of residual vision
  • Use of optical and non-optical devices
  • Auditory discrimination and localization
  • Tactile exploration and identification
  • Olfactory awareness
  • Body awareness and proprioceptive feedback
  • Strengthening fine/gross motor skills
Sensory skills support access to information and safe, effective movement.

Independent Living Skills

Daily living and self-care skills are crucial for participating in home and community life. These skills prepare students to manage their daily lives confidently and safely. They include:
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Clothing management and laundry
  • Food preparation and Cooking
  • kitchen and general safety
  • Money and time management
  • Household organization and cleaning
  • Time management skills.
  • Health and medication management
Instruction supports students in becoming independent and contributing adults.

Recreation and Leisure Skills

Participation in leisure activities promotes physical health, social connection, and emotional well-being. Students should be introduced to a wide range of recreational activities to develop interests and social connections. Instruction may include:
  • Hobbies and crafts
  • Accessible games and sports
  • Fitness
  • Dance, music, and art
  • Outdoor and physical activities
  • Reading for pleasure
  • Community participation
Participation in leisure activities promotes a healthy, balanced life.

Career Education

Career education helps students understand and prepare for work and adult responsibilities. From early work exposure to transition planning, career education helps students explore options and prepare for the world of work. Instruction may include:
  • Awareness of different jobs and career pathways
  • Workplace behaviors and soft skills.
  • Job exploration, interviews, and applications
  • Work-based learning or internships
  • Resume writing and interview prep
  • Understanding job accommodations
  • Financial literacy and employment readiness
This area begins in early grades and becomes increasingly focused through high school.

Orientation & Mobility (O&M)

​O&M instruction helps students navigate safely and independently in all environments. Skills include:
  • Body awareness and spatial concepts
  • Environmental awareness
  • Cane techniques and travel skills
  • Public transportation use
  • community travel
  • Mental mapping and route planning
  • Environmental navigation
  • Cardinal directions and compass use
NOTE: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) lead this instruction.

Resources

Provide IEP teams with an ECC Overview Handout to help teams understand the unique set of skills needed by students with visual impairments. Two options can be found on the Premium Printables page.

ECC Instruction

Teaching Strategies
Compensatory
Concept Development
Alternative Communication
Emergent Literacy
Beginning Braille​
Braille Code
Braille Fluency & Comprehension
Braillewriter
​​Slate & Stylus
​​Tactile Graphics
​Nemeth Code
Access Classes
​Abacus 
​Organize​
​Study Skills
​Time Management
​​​​Listening Skills
Sensory Efficiency
Support Sensory Needs
​Auditory Efficiency Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use
Tactile Readiness
Assistive Technology
Social Skills
​Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ ​Communicate Cooperative Identity ​Interactions
Self Determination
independent living
Personal Care
Hygiene & Grooming
Personal Health
Eating & Table Manners
Household Skills
Shopping & Consumerism
Clothing Management
Telephone
 Food Preparation
Money & Budget
Services
​Safety
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational
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