Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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The Expanded Core Curriculum

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 13, 2022
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.

Compensatory

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 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. Communication modes fall under compensatory skills and incorporate skills needed by students who are blind or visually impaired. Some students will need instruction in the braille code 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. ​
Guiding Principles of Concept Development
Functional Skills
Community-Based Experiences
Concepts to Teach
Organization & Study
Time Management

Access to Instruction

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

Communication Modes

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 & 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
Tactile Graphics instruction
Creating Tactile Graphics
Teacher Made Materials ​

Assistive Technology

Students who are blind or have low vision need to acquire a range of Technic 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.  
Overview of Assistive Technology
​Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
Low/Medium Tech for Tactual Learners
Video Magnifiers
Video Magnifier Instruction
Screen Enlargement & Readers
Braille Technology
Notetaker Instruction
​​
Braillewriter Repair
Tactile Graphics Technology
​Auditory Access Devices
Accessing Audio Books
iPads as Instructional Tools
Making the 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 Apps
​​Apps for Communication
Android Apps
VI Assistive Technology Resources

Sensory Efficiency ​

Sensory efficiency skills include instruction in the use of residual vision, hearing and other senses including the use of tactual, gustatory, and olfactory input to identify one's possessions or use hearing and other senses to identify people. 
Sensory Input
Encourage Use of Vision
​Sensory Areas & Rooms
Lightbox Use
Sensory Activities
Sensory Table
Visual Efficiency Skills
Visual Attend & Scan Activities
Visual Tracking Activities
Visual Discrimination Activities
​Visual Motor Activities
Tactual Readiness
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 to become the most independent and contributing member of their homes and communities that will promote social acceptance. 
Responsibility & Independence
General Home Safety
Mealtime Independence
Eating Adaptations
Bathroom Adaptations
Dressing & Clothing Identification 
Clothing Management
Medication Adaptations
Kitchen Adaptations
Food Preparation
Recipe Activities
Hygiene & Grooming
Money
Housekeeping

Orientation & Mobility

:It is critical for individuals with visual impairments to learn to move safely, efficiently and as independently as possible through all environments. Orientation and Mobility Specialists (O&M or COMS) will work directly with the individual to provide alternatives to using sight for safe and independent travel purposes. This section provides information on the different areas of O&M instruction. ​During instruction with the O&M, the individual will be taught trailing techniques, search patterns, sighted guide techniques, use of vision for travel and orientation, use of the long cane, and independent travel in a variety of environments. Individuals are typically taught to use a long cane and techniques for using any remaining vision that they may have such as the use of optical devices (telescopes or monoculars). It is important to learn how to move safely in both familiar and unfamiliar environments. ​
​​Transition Between Activities
Proper Guide Techniques
Orienting Student to Environment
Mobility Skills
Travel 
Dog Guides
School Campus Adaptations
Classroom Design Tips

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.
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. Career education for students with visual impairments needs to begin as early as possible and include self-awareness and career exploration activities, job seeking skills instruction, information about job keeping, and encourage opportunities for gaining work experience. ​ Teaching skills in the area of career education can provide students with visual impairments of all ages with the opportunity to learn first-hand the work done by members of the home and community. The students need to gain an understanding of the many jobs that are available from the bank teller, to the gardener, to the social worker, to the artist, and much much more. The student who is blind or visually impaired should have the opportunity to explore a wide range of careers in a systematic, well-planned manner as they will not be able to casually observe these jobs as their sighted peers can. 
Classroom Jobs
Career & Vocational
​Preparing for College
Career Exploration​​​​

Recreational & Leisure Skills

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.
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 Game
Transcribe Playing Cards
Summer Outdoor Activities
Rainy Day Activities

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.
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
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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
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