For students with visual impairments, whether they are blind or have low vision, there need to be special considerations in terms of their curriculum. As with all students, visually impaired students need to cover the core curriculum, which included language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, fine arts and personal planning. Those who work with blind and low vision children feel "that there is an expanded core curriculum for visually impaired students that requires additional areas of learning" (American Foundation for the Blind, 1996). There are experiences and concepts that are learned naturally by sighted students, yet these must be "sytematically and sequentially taught to the visually impaired" (AFB, 1996). The expanded core curriculum includes the following:
1. functional academic skills, including communication modes
2. orientation and mobiliy
3. social interaction skills
4. independent living skills
5. recreation and leisure skills
6. career education
7. use of assistive technology
8. visual efficiency skills
Ensuring these expanded concepts and skills are included in the education of visually impaired students will help ensure a successful learning experience.
References
American Foundation for the Blind, 1996. The core curriculum for blind and visually impaired students, including those with additional disabilities. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=44&TopicID=189&SubTopicID=4&DocumentID=2117.
