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This is an excerpt from Dr. Lilli Nielsen's book, Early Learning Step by Step. It outlines her Active Learning Approach and explains the importance of the learning environment for childen with visual impairments and multiple disabilities.
Source: Future Reflections, 2004, National Federation of the Blind (NFB)Chapter 5, “Activities for the Young Baby.” This chapter from the Hesperian Foundation book, Helping Children Who Are Blind, focuses on helping babies to trust people and their surroundings, respond to sounds, and develop motor skills.
Source: Hesperian FoundationThese activities integrate literacy into a preschooler's play, storytime, and daily activities.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)Outlines Head Start policy and practice for accommodating and integrating children with disabilities into its programs.
Source: HeadStartEvolving Universe and Feel the Impact are NASA astronomy modules adapted for students with visual impairments. Both include alternate student texts and tactile graphics cards. The SEE Project develops "Braille / tactile … space science activities and observing programs that actively engage blind and visually impaired students from elementary grades through introductory college level in space science."
Source: Initiative to Develop Education though Astronomy and Space Science (IDEAS)Physical education teachers learn what they "should keep in mind when working with a student with a visual impairment," including a list of instructional strategies and suggested modifications of the environment.
Source: PELinks4UThis site provides information about how to become an adapted physical education instructor, how IEPs are tied to Physical Education, the role of the adapted phys. ed. teacher, national standards and certification, and adapted physical education for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Source: PEteacherEDU.orgA range of resources can be found here, including general adaptations, assessment instruments, information for parents, products, and research.
Source: PE CentralAPENS promotes the standards for adapted physical educators. This site contains information on Adapted Physical Education, including history and related links.
This webinar produced at Perkins explains specific aspects of environmental obstacles, with adaptation tips.
Source: Perkins eLearning, Perkins School for the BlindThis article by Lauren Lieberman offers some important guidelines for developing and adapting activities for people who are deafblind. Specific examples are included.
Source: National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)Linda Burkhart outlines the many skills that can be reinforced through adapted play, including cognitive, communication, and fine and gross motor skills. She also offers suggestions for expanding communication skills and interaction through play.
Source: Simplified TechnologyMaking the home environment safe and well organized; focuses on lighting, glare, contrast, organization, and eliminating hazards; available in English and Spanish.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)These suggestions are aimed at families, but are equally valuable to other caregivers and teachers. Adaptations include strategies to optimize a child's use of vision, using textures and touch to provide clues, enhancing safety, and maximizing organization.
Source: FamilyConnect for Parents of Children with Visual ImpairmentsThis 7-minute video was created by Elina Mullen, Ed.D. and demonstrates different types of equipment for various sports, such as hockey, racquet games, and more.
Source: Texas School for the Blind and Visually ImpairedMatt LaCortiglia, Adaptive Physical Education Teacher at Perkins School for the Blind, presents a FAIER planning model to develop physical activities for individuals with disabilities.
Source: Perkins School for the BlindBarbara Cheadle's child-rearing advice for parents whose children have visual impairments.
Source: Future Reflections, 2004, National Federation of the Blind (NFB)This article suggests bringing a buddy to an IEP meeting, and also lists strategies for parents to try if it appears that the meeting will be stressful; also available in Spanish.
Source: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)In this webcast, Diana Autin presents family companion guides that include fact sheets, mini-guides and an IEP Meeting Checklist. These materials provide a framework to support the development of meaningful, appropriate programming for students with deafblindness.
Source: Perkins eLearningThis site's state-by-state menu makes it easy to locate, in one place, agency contact information for Accessible Information Materials and National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard(NIMAS) for your U.S. state or territory.
Source: National Center on Accessible Educational Materials