Education of Individuals with Visual Impairments

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) refers to unique needs and skills that
students with visual impairments will need to be successful in school and post-
graduation.
Compensator !kills refers to those techniques and materials that the
students with visual impairments need in order to access to the core curriculum.
!ome of the skills that are included in this area are" #bacus$ %emeth$ &raille$ and
instruction on 'arge (rint. )f the student does not receive instruction in this area
since the earl ears$ he will have difficulties in learning$ reading$ listening$
organi*ation and stud skills$ which will impact his development through the ears
in the regular classroom. )t is important to remember that we are in charge of
providing as man skills as possible to students who are visuall impaired succeed
finding a +ob or when going to college.
,rientation and -obilit refers to the abilit to know where we are in the
environment and how we are going to travel safel from one place to another. )t is
important to focus the instruction depending on the age of the student. )n the case
of a oung student$ he will need the confidence to explore his natural contexts such
as school and home. ,ur final goal is that the student becomes an independent
traveler in the communit$ b knowing and using efficientl mobilit devices and
techniques$ as well as protective and sensor skills. )t is also our goal to enhance
the student.s confidence when traveling independentl so that the do not feel
afraid of failure or to ask for help when necessar.
!tudents with visual impairments require direct instruction in social skills to
learn how others interact. Communication among people can involve facial
expressions and bod language$ which students ma not be able to perceive. )t is
through interaction with others that we develop our self-concept and self-esteem.
Encouraging social skills since the students are oung will determine the wa the
will interact in a +ob with their peers$ boss and others. #lso$ this area is linked with
self-determination in which the will have to interact with others and let them know
about their rights and needs.
)ndependent 'iving pertains to the independence in personal care$ clothing$
food preparation$ mone management$ as well as household management.
Children with visual impairments need specific instruction in these areas$ due to
the lack of incidental learning. The cannot imitate how their parents or others
perform this activit. #s T/)s we should look beond the academic and professional
goals for the student$ because this area will demonstrate to others how capable
and independent the are. 0or instance$ adults with visual impairments not onl
need to know how to perform professionall$ but also how dress and follow
etiquette rules at a business dinner. #s a T/) ) will tr to teach in natural contexts
b allowing the student to go to a restaurant$ cook his own meals$ clean and
demonstrate proper eating behaviors. )t is important to include the parents in the
instruction of this area so that the skill that the learn with the teacher the can
appl it and practice it at home.
1ecreation and 'eisure involves those activities that people can practice in their
free time$ including artistic$ mental and phsical activities. 2uring these activities all
the ECC areas can be embedded. )n a leisure activit such as goal ball$ the
student might have to read the rules in braille or print$ he will have to travel around
the field$ wear the proper clothes$ interact with peers and follow rules. !tudents
with visual impairments do not easil participate in these activities because the
might not be taught on how to perform. The T/) will need to pre-teach some of the
concepts$ rules and activities that he will have to do. #lso$ she will have to exposed
the student to those adapted games and materials that he will be able to use to be
full included in them. #s a T/) ) will support this area because self-esteem of the
student pla a ver important role when the see or feel that the accomplished a
fun activit. #dditionall$ their social group ma be expanded because the student
will be able to share his interests with others.
3hen the students are not exposed to different careers beginning in
childhood the will not know what other professions are out there except for
teachers and doctors who are the ones with whom the interact the most.
4nfortunatel$ even though the know that these career exists the will probabl do
not know the requirements to be a professional and what other duties are involved.
Therefore$ it is important to let the student explore and interact with different
professionals so that the can decide what the want do when the grow up$ based
on real experiences. )n the case of older students the exploration of the careers will
help them to be aware of what other skills from the ECC are needed to in order to
succeed in the desired career.
!tudents with visual impairments will need #ssistive Technolog to access
the environment. There is technolog for students with low vision and for students
who are blind. %owadas$ interaction with others and access to information is
through technolog$ thus the importance of teaching the students a variet of
products that will enable them to interact with the environment. Technolog such as
5#3!$ CCT/s$ &raille notes$ are +ust a few products that ma be useful for school
and work. #s a T/) ) would introduce different technologies so that the can
eventuall choose the one that fits their needs and likes. )f the students succeed on
the use of technolog$ the will be able to compete demonstrate efficient skills
when looking for a desire +ob.
!tudents with visual impairments need to be able to know their own abilities
and limitations$ as well as their needs so that the can establish realistic goals for
their life. 3ith self-determination the students will be able to make decisions
knowing what the reall need and want. This area involves self-esteem$ self-
concept and self-confidence in order to interact with others and explain the
characteristics and implications of their visual impairment. !tudents should be
taught how to be assertive when communicating their ideas$ rights and needs. )t is
important to teach students that some of the elements of being assertive involve
bod language$ thus the will need to have adequate posture$ ee contact$ tone of
voice$ and orient bod to the person who is talking.
!ensor Efficienc refers to use other senses in order to interpret their
environment. )n the case of students with low vision$ the will need instruction on
how to use their residual vision to access to materials in the school and to travel in
the communit. #lso$ auditor and tactual information will help students with visual
impairments to identif what it is around them. )t is important to let the students be
active explorers of their surroundings since the are oung so that the can
increase the skills to move around and be able to detect those cues that will
provide accurate information of the environment.
Education for students with visual impairments requires instruction in the
previous areas with the collaboration of other professionals. 6igh expectations will
bring positive results such as$ success in the student.s educational$ professional
and personal growth. )t is m responsibilit to provide meaningful opportunities so
that student with visual impairments can achieve their full potential