by Cindy Williams, TSVI
NDVS/SB Coordinator of Student Programs
Welcome to the new school year! As this school year begins, there is a familiar sense of excitement, preparation, and possibility. Educators are preparing, families are adjusting to new routines, and students are learning, growing, and making new connections. For families and educators of students who are blind or have low vision, back-to-school preparation can involve some additional questions: Will my child have the tools they need? Will teachers understand how to provide accessible instruction? Are we connected with the right professionals and resources?
For blind and low-vision students, community is a catalyst for confidence, self-advocacy, and independence. Because many students with low vision or blindness are the only students experiencing this in their local public schools, they may experience social isolation. Short-Term Programs (STPs) hosted at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) play a vital role in building this community. Our STPs do this in numerous ways including:
Normalizing the Blind & Low-Vision Experience
At NDVS/SB Short-Term Programs, students using assistive technology, white canes, and other accommodation tools are the norm. Being surrounded by peers who share similar daily realities creates an immediate sense of belonging, removing the emotional weight of feeling “different.”
Peer Mentorship and Shared Problem-Solving
Community allows students to learn from one another in ways a textbook or teacher cannot match. Some examples include:
- Students comparing notes on screen-reader shortcuts, phone accessibility features, and tactile labeling tricks.
- Peer groups share lived experiences on managing social awkwardness, explaining visual impairments to sighted peers, or dealing with fatigue.
Providing Access and Community via the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
NDVS/SB Short-Term Programs focus heavily on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) – skills essential for blind/low vision students that go beyond standard academic subjects. NDVS/SB accelerates learning across these key areas through:
- Social Interaction Skills: Interpreting social situations without non-verbal cues (facial expressions or body language).
- Orientation & Mobility (O&M): Navigating dynamic environments alongside peers using white canes or public transportation, which turns a potentially intimidating practice into a shared group adventure.
- Independent Living: Preparing meals, managing personal items, and practicing self-care together in residential dorm settings during STPs.
Building Lifelong Support Networks
North Dakota’s geographic layout means low vision/blind students are often spread across vast rural distances. Our Short-Term Programs serve as a gathering point where students form friendships that extend far beyond Grand Forks through group texts, online gaming, and phone calls.
Strengthening Self-Advocacy
Seeing peers advocate for their needs and learning to express their own needs—whether asking for braille accommodations, negotiating accessible materials, or using self-determination skills—encourages younger or less experienced students to find their own voice and increase their self-determination skills.
Building and having community is as important to our students as it is for educators. As educators and families, we know that no single person can meet every need a student may have. A strong team makes a difference. This is where AER (the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired) plays an important role. AER helps strengthen that team by connecting professionals and encouraging continued learning. As the incoming President of our local Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) chapter, I am honored to share the benefits of this important organization. Whether you are a veteran Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist, or a related professional, our chapter is your community.
Why Local AER Involvement Matters
Specialized vision professionals often work on islands, traveling across many miles to multiple schools. Our local chapter, Dakotas AER, exists to build community. When we invest in our own professional community, the benefits ripple directly back to our students, equipping them with the confident, unified support network they deserve.
What Our Chapter and National AER Offer:
- Targeted Professional Development: Access specialized webinars, state-level conferences, and continuing education credits through AER’s national eLearning Center to stay current on adaptive tech and instructional strategies.
- Specialized Divisions: Tailor your experience by joining specific divisions, from Infant & Preschool to Assistive Technology and Low Vision.
- Research and Best Practices: Gain subscriptions to the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), keeping our local community grounded in evidence-based research.
Ultimately, community is not something that simply happens — it is something we actively build together. Whether you are a parent learning to navigate the system, a student taking your first steps toward self-advocacy by attending STPs at NDVS/SB, or a professional looking to connect and build skills through AER, your presence enriches our collective strength. Welcome to a promising new school year — we are honored to learn, grow, and advocate alongside you every step of the way.