by Cindy Williams
NDVS/SB Coordinator of Student Programs
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year, and a warm welcome to Student Short-Term Programs at NDVS/SB! I hope you and your family are settling smoothly into your new school routine—or will be soon. I am honored to be the Coordinator of Student Programs and am excited about the year ahead. Our Short-Term Programs (STP) are designed to offer individual and small class instruction through collaboration with families and local schools. While attending our STPs, students share similar experiences unique to the world of low vision and blindness and take away self-awareness and confidence through this shared experience.
NDVS/SB offers students in North Dakota with low vision or blindness opportunities to come together in the summer to interact socially, learn new skills, experience lessons in the Expanded Core Curriculum and have fun. We had an exciting summer at NDVS/SB through the following programs.
Summer 2025 Programs:
This year we tried something new for our 7-12th graders and combined the two programs into one. Our Summer Adventure - Empowering Independence program took place in June and was held in Devils Lake, ND. It included a group of 11 teens with low vision or blindness. This transformative program was designed to build skills, foster independence, and deepen connections — all while having fun and making memories. Rooted in the principles of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), the program wove meaningful learning into every activity, showing students that success is possible with the right tools, strategies, and support. Hosted at the ND School for the Deaf, the program offered dorm-style accommodations that introduced students to a more independent lifestyle while still providing support from trained staff. The program was filled with exciting and enriching activities; each aligned with the nine areas of the ECC.
Program Highlights:
- Ft. Totten State Historic Site Tour – Explored historical items and environments using tactile and sensory input and practiced awareness and orientation in unfamiliar settings.
- White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (presentation and hiking) – Navigated nature trails using mobility techniques and sensory cues; identified wildlife and plants using tactile, auditory, and smell-based clues; used monoculars, screen readers, and phone apps to gather information about wildlife and plants; attended a presentation by a federal education employee about diverse career paths in conservation and public service.
- Community Locations (restaurants, stores, café) – Practiced real-world skills like budgeting, list-making, and task planning while shopping; learned about hospitality and food service roles while dining out; ordered food, interacted with servers, and practiced dining etiquette at local buffet and Oyate Café.
- Career Education and Self-Determination – Heard from Denali, a former student now employed at McDonald's, about transitioning into the workforce with low vision; learned about real-life job applications, interviews, and workplace adaptations; daily journaling increased writing, memory, and self-reflection habits; created art projects like leaf rubbings and leatherwork; engaged in adaptive bocce ball, swimming and indoor group games.
This unique summer program demonstrated how education for students with low vision or blindness can — and should — go beyond academics. Through immersive, joyful, and skill-focused experiences, our teens not only had fun but also took big steps toward independent, empowered lives. For many, the week ended with new friendships, greater confidence, and a renewed sense of what’s possible — proving that with the right support, the future is bright.
A group of elementary students participated in our short-term educational program at NDVS/SB in August. This program was centered around literacy with an engaging theme…art. The program, titled Color Our World, integrated reading, creative expression, hands-on experiences, and community exploration. Students engaged in activities designed to strengthen academic skills, promote independence, and expand real-world experiences, all framed within the nine areas of the ECC.
Program Highlights:
- ND Museum of Art tour – Students experienced a guided tour emphasizing tactile and auditory engagement with exhibits.
- Chester Fritz Library Tour – Introducedstudents to research tools and reading spaces, supporting future academic readiness.
- Pottery Workshop – Provideda hands-on artistic outlet while developing fine motor skills and creativity.
Urban Art Scavenger Hunt – A community exploration using public transit to find murals, sculptures, and other art forms.
The Color Our World program offered a rich blend of literacy development and artistic exploration while embedding essential skills from the ECC. By combining reading, artmaking, community outings, and independent living practice, the program fostered not only academic growth but also the confidence and independence of each participating student.
Looking Ahead to 2025-26 Programs:
I would like to provide information and expectations for the process of attending and registering for our Short-Term Programs (STPs). Our STPs generally take place on our campus in Grand Forks with occasional programs occurring off-site. Our Elementary and Middle School Programs will typically run Sunday evening through Thursday, while our High School Programs may run longer (through Friday or Saturday) depending on the program. Specific information for each STP will be emailed out about a month prior to the STP occurring. Please refer to our Short-Term Program Calendar for dates of programs for your child/student.
Communication with educators and families is conducted through email; however, information and forms can be mailed to educators/families upon request. Our forms are also available on our website in printable or fillable form at https://www.ndvisionservices.com/programs/registration-forms.
Our programs feature training sessions in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The ECC is a specialized set of vision-related skills for students who experience low vision or blindness which affects their access to the environment around them. Please refer to our Short-Term Programs Description Sheet for further information.
We are looking forward to working with your child/student this school year and are honored to be a part of your child’s/student’s educational team! Please feel free to contact me via email or phone with any questions or concerns as we work together to schedule your child/student for our Short-Term Programs at NDVS/SB. Also, please let me know if there is anyone to add or remove from my email list.
Sincerely,
Cindy Williams, TSVI
701-795-2704 | ckwillia@nd.gov