Because students with visual impairments may receive incomplete or distorted sensory information, direct instruction is often needed to help them interpret it, develop efficient exploration strategies, and use it meaningfully. Instruction focuses on helping students learn how to attend to sensory information, interpret what they perceive, and use that information to make decisions, complete tasks, and navigate their environments.

Explore strategies across key sensory efficiency skill areas

Each section provides practical instructional strategies and examples to help students develop sensory awareness, improve efficiency, and build independence.

Auditory Efficiency

Instruction focuses on helping students use hearing effectively to gather information, follow directions, and understand their environment. Access: Auditory Efficiency ​

Listening Skills

Students learn to listen for details, follow multi-step directions, and interpret auditory information in academic and real-world settings. Access: Listening Skills​

Visual Efficiency

Instruction helps students use their functional vision as effectively as possible. This includes developing visual attention, tracking, scanning, and efficient use of vision during tasks. Access: Visual Efficiency ​​

Optical Device Use

Students learn to use optical devices such as magnifiers and monoculars to access near and distance information independently and efficiently. Access: Optical Device Use​

Tactile Readiness

Instruction helps students develop tactile awareness and discrimination skills needed for tactile learning, including braille readiness and tactile exploration. Access: Tactile Readiness
Sensory efficiency skills allow students to access information, understand their surroundings, and participate confidently in learning and daily routines. When students learn to use their sensory abilities effectively, they develop stronger independence, improved access to instruction, and greater confidence across environments.

Resource Access

Instructional articles on this site are open access and do not require an account. Free Members may access select free resources and goal banks. Downloadable printable resources, lesson plans, recorded presentations, and ECC instructional units are available to Premium Subscribers.

Full Article List

Guide: Start Here
Tools (VI Basics)
Plan: Referrals & Eligibility
Referral & Eligibility​ ​Medical Vision Information 
FVLMALow Vision Evaluations
Other Evaluations
Plan: IEP Planning
Plan: Collaboration & Accessibility
​Collaboration Accessible Materials ​Classroom Access Instructional Access Technology Access ​Additional Supports Service Delivery Models  ​
Teach: Compensatory Skills
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development ​Alternative Communication ​Emergent Literacy ​Braille Code
​Beginning Braille ​ Braille Fluency & Comprehension  Writing Braille ​​​Nemeth Code Instruction 
​​​Tactile Graphics ​Print Concepts ​​Abacus  ​​Organization Skills​ ​​Study Skills ​​Time Management
Teach: Sensory Efficiency Skills
​Auditory & Listening Skills ​​Visual Efficiency Skills ​​Optical Device Use ​Tactile Readiness
Teach: Assistive Technology 
AT Overview ​AT Use & Maintenance Braille AT ​iOS Instruction Audio Access​ ​Video Magnifiers ​​​Basic Computer Use Computer Access ​Productivity
Teach: Social Skills
Social Skill Basics​
Non-Verbal Skills​​​​ Verbal Communication Skills Cooperative Skills Identity & Self-Awareness ​Interactions & Relationships Managing Challenges & Safety
Teach: Self Determination
Teach: Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene & Grooming ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation
Household Skills Clothing Management ​Money & Budget Shopping & Consumerism Phone Use ​Safety & Emergency Preparedness ​​Services & Community Resources
Teach: Orientation & Mobility
Teach: Recreation & Leisure
Teach: Career & Vocational
Printables
Free Resources​ Premium Resource Library 
Teaching Strategy Printables 
​Premium Program Printables
​Premium FVLMA Printables
​ECC PrintablesCompensatory Skills Printables
Sensory Efficiency Printables
Assistive Technology Printables
Social Skills Printables
Self Determination Printables
Independent Living Printables
Recreation & Leisure Printables
Career & Vocational Printables
Evelyn Jane Stories 
Learn: Teaching Strategies & Planning
Learn: ​ECC Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall UnitsWinter Units ​​Winter Units ​​Spring UnitsAnytime Units
Learn: ​Interactive Activities
Learn: Recorded Presentations
Learn: Complete Set Bonus ​