Evaluations And Consultations For Students

Braille

Braille is a system of reading and writing for individuals with a visual impairment. The basic unit of Braille is the Braille cell, which is composed of six dots. Different combinations of the six dots make up 64 different symbols, which are read by moving the fingers across the line.

Most people assume that every blind individual reads and writes Braille. In reality, only a small proportion of all persons with a visual impairment is fluent in Braille. Nevertheless, Braille is a tremendous resource and critical skill to some who are visually disabled.

Braille evaluations and consultations are provided to individuals of any age who could benefit from a tactual method of communication.
Braille Access Center


Daily Living Skills
It is important to learn ways to improve the quality of daily living -- to make life safer, easier, more enjoyable and more active. Adaptive devices and techniques can help individuals function more efficiently and independently.

Daily living skills evaluations and training include the following areas: grooming; dressing; table etiquette; social graces; money and time; telephone skills; food preparation; clothing care; housekeeping; sewing; and home maintenance.


Functional Vision
Vision consultants work to determine how a person functions visually in a given environment and give suggestions for improving visual skills. Using direct observation, direct contact, and information provided by the optometrist, the consultant provides the following information: the level of functional vision; adaptive materials or equipment that will be most effective; curriculum adaptations that will benefit the individual; and intervention based on the developmental sequence for visual skills.


Music
Persons may be discouraged from participating in music activities because they cannot "sight read." Consultations and evaluations in this area provide information on aids and adaptations for people with low vision; helpful techniques for memorizing music; information about music; and suggestions for teachers and paraprofessionals who are working with someone with a vision impairment.


Orientation and Mobility
Orientation is the ability to use one's remaining senses to understand one's location in the environment at any given time. Mobility is the ability to navigate safely from one position to another.

Whether a person is born with a visual impairment or loses vision later in life, most visually impaired and blind individuals can benefit from instruction in Orientation and Mobility (O&M). Teachers of the visually impaired provide basic instruction, but only a certified specialist in O&M may teach advanced techniques.

Services include assessment of individual safety and training in all aspects of O&M such sighted guide techniques and cane instruction.
Orientation And Mobility


Recreation/Leisure
Recreation and leisure activities contribute to the growth and development. People who are visually impaired can and do participate in many activities including archery, auto repair, boating, bicycling, crafts, dancing, painting reading, and table games to name a few.

Specialists in this area help people learn some of the recreational choices that are available and the adaptations that may be made.


Technology
Technology plays an important role in the lives of people who have a visual impairment. A technology evaluation will provide recommendations as to the most efficient method to access the computer screen, whether synthetic speech, regular print, large print or Braille, and adaptations which might make the screen more usable.

Other devices are examined including closed circuit television systems; personal notetaking computers; talking calculators; talking dictionary, and so on. Many devices are available for trial in the Technology Center.
Technology Center


Vocational/Career Education
Staff provide a range of services including evaluating the student's skills; exploring vocational plans and objectives; provide information about post-high school training programs and funding available; and assist vocational teachers with on-the-job training.

Staff administer the Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation System (CVES) designed to evaluate abilities of visually impaired and blind persons.


Short Term Programs for Students at NDVS/SB
This short term program features sessions for four to six students in areas such as daily living skills, Braille, Braille music, orientation and mobility, technology, recreation/leisure, and career education. This program allows four to six students to spend a week at NDVS/SB in order to enhance academic and social skills. Incorporated into the daily schedule is time devoted to personal development and homework.

Students are not mandated to attend this optional program unless the IEP team has made such a provision, but parents and local educators are strongly encouraged to give students this opportunity.


Summer Adventures
The NDVS/School for the Blind hosts summer camps for students with visual impairment. The primary goal of this summer camp is to provide visually impaired students with additional experiences relating to skills that are unique to the visually impaired, but that are not included in the academic programs.

The summer months present unique challenges to students and young adults who are visually impaired. Frequently, these students do not have the opportunity to socialize with their visually impaired peers. This camp enables them to get to know other visually impaired students and to share their experiences with them. It also provides them with opportunities in the following areas:

Career awareness
Communication skills
Music awareness
Orientation & Mobility
Daily Living Skills
Recreation
Technology

Specific Skills Program
The Specific Skills Program is a short term program featuring one-week training sessions in vision specific areas such as Daily Living Skills (DLS), Braille, Braille Music, Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Technology, Career Education, and Recreation/Leisure for students who are blind or visually impaired. This program allows students to spend time periodically at NDVS/SB to enhance skills and receive one on one instruction in the expanded core curriculum areas.

Lessons are taught based on the results of the needs assessment in each of these vision specific areas. Input from parents/guardians and teachers is also considered in selecting vision specific areas for instruction. Incorporated into the daily schedule is time devoted to personal development, homework and social activities. Teachers and/or para-educators are invited to participate in the center based training.

The Expanded Core Curriculum addresses the following areas:

• Daily Living Skills: Skills in daily living may include dressing, grooming, food preparation, social graces, housekeeping, and clothing care.
• Braille: Braille instruction includes reading and writing Braille, and may include instruction in Braille music.
• Orientation and Mobility: O & M may consist of instruction in white cane, public transportation, telescopic aids, street crossings, and stairway negotiation.
• Technology: Students learn how to access the computer using large print, Braille, or synthetic speech output, and use closed circuit television and other devices.
• Career Education: Instruction in career education includes interviewing skills, work attitudes, information about colleges, job shadowing, and job exploration.
• Recreation/Leisure: Instruction in recreation/leisure includes team games, athletics and other leisure activities that focus on the development of life-long skills.
• Social Interaction Skills: Students learn ways to relate to others and to examine their own personal development.

LEAP
The Life Experiences Advance People (LEAP) Program is a short-term program designed to help students who are visually impaired or blind develop vision specific skills that will enable them to grow as individuals through experiential learning. This program is for students who are developmentally disabled who function near or at grade level. The students should be in junior high or high school. The vision specific areas include daily living skills, orientation and mobility, recreation/leisure, adaptive technology, Braille, and vocational skills. The students will receive learning experiences in functional settings. For example, students will prepare their meals and practice orientation and mobility skills while participating in recreational activities in the community.

The program will focus on daily living skills that may include grooming, dressing, preparing simple meals and snacks, making a bed, and cleaning. Orientation and mobility may consist of using a white cane, sighted guide techniques, stairway negotiation, and trailing. During recreation/leisure, students may play board games, go bowling, play goalball, etc. Vocational skills may include assessing student’s interests, exploring careers, and participating in work situations. Adaptive Technology and Braille may also be included in the student’s schedule.


Compensatory Skills Program
Compensatory Skills is a program designed for students who need concentrated instruction in the expanded core curriculum areas. Instruction includes, but is not limited to, Braille and Technology.

The amount of instruction time spent at NDVS/SB is based on the results of the needs assessment and consensus of the parent, student and IEP team.

After the student has completed instruction, opportunity is provided to discuss recommendations which can be integrated into the student’s home, community and educational programming.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Deb Johnsen at 701-795-2721 or 1-800-421-1181 or email Deb at djohnsen@nd.gov.


Post Secondary Program
Participants in this program live in an apartment setting while receiving instruction in numerous areas of independent living based on the student's needs. Students qualify at no cost for this program if they have completed their high school course requirements but have not received a signed diploma.

Back To Programs and Services Page

Disclaimer

:

Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2007. North Dakota Vision Services. All rights reserved