Instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum ensures that students who are blind or visually impaired develop the essential skills needed to access their education, participate fully in their communities, and achieve lifelong independence. These skills support academic success, independence, employment readiness, and full participation in daily life.

Compensatory Skills

Compensatory skills allow students to access academic information and develop literacy and learning strategies. Instruction includes braille literacy, print access, listening skills, tactile learning, organization, and study strategies that support academic success and independence.

Sensory Efficiency Skills

Sensory efficiency skills involve the effective use of vision, hearing, touch, and other senses to gather and interpret information. Instruction helps students use their sensory abilities efficiently to access their environment, instructional materials, and daily activities.

Assistive Technology Skills

Assistive technology skills support access to information, communication, and digital learning environments. Instruction includes the use of screen readers, magnification, braille displays, accessible applications, and other technology tools that promote independence and participation.

Social Skills

Social skills instruction supports effective communication, social understanding, and relationship development. Instruction includes recognizing social cues, developing conversational skills, fostering self-awareness, and engaging in appropriate social interactions in school, community, and workplace settings.

Self-Determination Skills

Self-determination skills empower students to understand their needs, make decisions, and advocate for themselves. Instruction includes goal-setting, problem-solving, decision-making, self-advocacy, and understanding disability-related needs.

Independent Living Skills

Independent living skills support student independence in daily routines and personal management. Instruction includes personal care, organization, household skills, money management, time management, and daily living routines.

Orientation & Mobility Skills

Orientation and mobility skills support safe and independent travel. Instruction includes spatial awareness, environmental understanding, route planning, and safe travel using mobility tools and techniques.

Recreation & Leisure Skills

Recreation and leisure skills support participation in hobbies, sports, and recreational activities. Instruction promotes physical activity, social engagement, personal interests, and lifelong recreational participation.

Career & Vocational Skills

Career and vocational skills prepare students for employment and adult independence. Instruction includes career awareness, job exploration, workplace readiness, employment skills, and transition planning.

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