Visual impairment is one of the lowest incidence disabilities experienced by students in Texas. As a result, many educators have never encountered a student who is blind or visually impaired. In addition, educators have little to no exposure to the Expanded Core Curriculum, despite its use being passed into law in 2013. So, what are our responsibilities as educators? What do we need to know if we have a student with a visual impairment in our school? How do we support this population of students (no matter how small) as a campus administrator, a special education director, or a superintendent? Let’s start by learning more about the ECC!
What is the Expanded Core Curriculum or ECC?
According to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, “The term Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is used to define concepts and skills that often require specialized instruction with students who are blind or visually impaired to compensate for decreased opportunities to learn incidentally by observing others. In addition to the general education core curriculum that all students are taught, students with visual impairments, starting at birth, also need instruction in the ECC.” (Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2014)
What are the nine areas of the ECC?
- Compensatory Access
- Sensory Efficiency
- Assistive Technology
- Orientation and Mobility
- Independent Living
- Social Interaction
- Recreation and Leisure
- Career Education
- Self-Determination
Why is the ECC important?
You may be wondering why the development of ECC skills is so important. According to ECC Essentials: Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments, “The knowledge and skills encompassed by the ECC are not acquired naturally through day-to-day life by many children with visual impairments, as they typically are by children with unimpaired vision. Children with limited or no vision often cannot pick up on the visual nuances offered on a daily basis that create the foundation for social and life skills, understanding, and learning. Without these special skills, children with visual impairments may not only be unaware of and uninformed about essential concepts and facts needed for independent functioning by all individuals, but they can also become isolated and overly dependent on others and may lack self-knowledge, self-assurance, and motivation.” (Allman, Lewis, & Spungin, 2014).
How can I support the development of ECC skills for the students in my school district?
Much thoughtful planning and collaboration are required throughout the process by all team members over the student’s entire educational experience. Team members include vision professionals (TSVIs and O&Ms), classroom teachers, parents, related service providers, school administrators, etc.
Work with your team to develop a mindset of “focusing on the potential adult.” If you “begin with the end in mind,” your team will consider the decisions necessary to foster the skill development required to meet the long-term goals of your students and their families! This means that early focus on the development of ECC skills is crucial! “Young children who are exposed to a variety of early experiences that are accompanied by meaningful verbal explanations of the people, objects, and interactions in the world around them develop an essential foundation for learning to get along with others, develop a personal point of view, explore, and begin to read and communicate. Experiences such as these lay the groundwork for learning the multiple skills that students who are visually impaired will need to be ready for learning in school and, ultimately, to become successful and happy adults.” (Allman, Lewis, & Spungin, 2014)
It’s the law!
Senate Bill 39 in 2013 (Texas 83rd Legislative Session) requires evaluation in all nine areas of the ECC for students with visual impairments. As a result, priority needs must be identified by the IEP team, and instruction provided in these areas.
According to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, “The ECC areas include (A) needs that result from the visual impairment that enable the student “to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum; and (B) other educational needs that result from the child’s disability” as required by IDEA (34 CFR 300.320 (a)(2)(A)(B)). Texas Education Code (TEC) 30.002(c)(5) and (e)(5) requires the flexibility of school districts to make arrangements for services to occur “beyond regular school hours to ensure the student learns the skills and receives the instruction” in the ECC.” (Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2014)
Did you know?
Region 7 ESC partners with the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind (and other community partners) to offer ECC Events to students with visual impairments in our region. These events are designed to provide a variety of rich experiences to students with visual impairments while allowing them to receive direct instruction in the nine areas of the ECC. These events are offered at no cost to your students and are offered throughout the school year for students of all ages and ability levels.
It is also important to consider the added benefit of connection and community among our students with visual impairments. Attendance at regional ECC events provides opportunities to meet and have shared experiences with other students who also experience visual impairment and blindness. Because vision loss is such a low-incidence disability, some of our students may be the only student in their school district with a visual impairment. Opportunities to meet others who share in their experiences are a powerful added benefit to regional ECC Event attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Can we register any student served through special education for an ECC experience?
Due to the nature of the funding used to provide these experiences, we can only offer these ECC Events to students with visual impairments.
Due to the nature of the funding used to provide these experiences, we can only offer these ECC Events to students with visual impairments.
How do we find out about ECC Events?
These events are advertised throughout the year via the VI and O&M Professionals Listserv and SPED Director Listserv. If you want to be added to the VI and O&M Professionals Listserv, please use the following link to subscribe.
https://lists.esc7.net/sympa/subscribe/vi_and_m_dual_professionals?previous_action=info
These events are advertised throughout the year via the VI and O&M Professionals Listserv and SPED Director Listserv. If you want to be added to the VI and O&M Professionals Listserv, please use the following link to subscribe.
https://lists.esc7.net/sympa/subscribe/vi_and_m_dual_professionals?previous_action=info
How much does it cost to send our students with visual impairments to these events?
Student participation in ECC events is provided free of charge, so what are you waiting for?
Student participation in ECC events is provided free of charge, so what are you waiting for?
Do you have any ECC events scheduled this spring?
We will host Easter Egg Hunts in Nacogdoches (3/29) and Whitehouse (3/31). Beeping Easter Eggs will be provided for students who need an auditory cue to locate their eggs. We will also have the Creature Teacher, games, and a storyteller at the event.
We will host Easter Egg Hunts in Nacogdoches (3/29) and Whitehouse (3/31). Beeping Easter Eggs will be provided for students who need an auditory cue to locate their eggs. We will also have the Creature Teacher, games, and a storyteller at the event.
Please see our flyer and registration form for more information on the March 29 Easter Egg Hunt in Nacogdoches.
Please see our flyer and registration form for more information on the March 31 Easter Egg Hunt in Whitehouse.
The deadline to register is March 24, 2023.
Do you have more questions about the Expanded Core Curriculum?
Please contact Lannette Burlingame, Special Education Specialist, at [email protected] or 903-988-6765.
Please contact Lannette Burlingame, Special Education Specialist, at [email protected] or 903-988-6765.
College Visit to the University of Texas at Tyler
Students participated in a campus tour of UT Tyler in October and heard from the Student Accessibility and Resources Department, where they learned how to access student disability services once they transition into college. The students also got a “taste of college life” while participating in a lunch experience at the university food court. This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the University of Texas at Tyler.
Students participated in a campus tour of UT Tyler in October and heard from the Student Accessibility and Resources Department, where they learned how to access student disability services once they transition into college. The students also got a “taste of college life” while participating in a lunch experience at the university food court. This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the University of Texas at Tyler.
Goalball at the University of Texas at Tyler
Students practiced the sport of goalball, where they received instruction in the sport’s rules during the morning session and participated in tournament game play during the afternoon. All goalball participants wear “eye shades” to ensure no one uses any amount of vision to play. Players must instead rely on their auditory senses during gameplay. This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the University of Texas at Tyler.
VI Roundup Event at Bar None Cowboy Church in Tatum
Bar None Cowboy Church offers a therapeutic riding program to the community and graciously hosts our students each year for horseback riding activities, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, a hayride, and a storyteller. Students also had the opportunity to practice making their lunch at this event using sandwich fixings, chips, cookies, and drinks. This event was also co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the Braille and Cane Club at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
Christmas Shopping for Students with VI
Students have two opportunities to shop at our annual Christmas events in December. These student events are hosted in Nacogdoches and Tyler. Students are provided with $11.00 and have the opportunity to shop at Big Lots for an item to donate to Toys for Tots. This allows students to practice shopping skills as well as budgeting and money-handling skills. In addition, they may also choose to bring their own money to purchase gifts for family and friends. A gift-wrapping station is provided for students who wish to learn how to wrap their purchases. Lunch offers another opportunity to practice independence by providing lunch money for a lesson in ordering and paying for oneself at the food court. In addition, games and festivities are hosted at Broadway Square Mall in Tyler and by our community partners at the Braille and Cane Club of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. These events were also co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler.
Planetarium Experience for Students with VI
Students participated in the “Velocity” exhibit at The Earth and Space Science Center at Tyler Junior College. Area students also had an opportunity to participate in a planetarium experience at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Both groups were treated to an adapted planetarium experience via a show entitled “Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System.” Unlike traditional planetarium shows, this show is unique because “the soundtrack takes the lead role.” Each object in space is represented with sounds. The audience can hear the stars appear, and the planets orbit around their heads. This is important to our students because it means that this show is an immersive experience that can be enjoyed irrespective of the level of vision. Many of our participants had never been able to access this kind of STEM content in the past due to a lack of accessibility. This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler.
VI Day at EcoLand Early Learning Center
Students participated in various activities during “VI Day at EcoLand Early Learning Center” in Kilgore. EcoLand is a hands-on, interactive science center encouraging exploration, discovery, and learning. Students with visual impairments (ages preschool to 2nd grade) enjoyed a day at EcoLand in January where they had the opportunity to engage in and explore science activities throughout the day. Assistive technology devices were also provided in each room to allow students to access magnification as needed. This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler.
EcoLand is open to Region 7 ECSE, Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-K, and Kindergarten teachers. For more information about EcoLand, please visit their website at https://ecoland.esc7.net/.
Exploring Art Using the Senses with Artist John Bramblitt
Students participated in a hands-on art workshop with artist John Bramblitt earlier this month. According to John’s website (https://bramblitt.com), “John has taught workshops to tens of thousands of people from elementary school children to large museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has received three Presidential Awards for his workshops. John is the number one blind painter in the world, and his motto is that if he can create art, then anyone can, and he proves this one student at a time.”
While art was always a major part of John’s life, it was not until he lost his sight in 2001 that he began to explore ways to continue to be creative despite having a visual impairment. John’s workshops include adaptive techniques for people with disabilities. For example, John discovered that by adding different textures to his paint palette, he could differentiate colors using tactile skills. According to John, “Everyone has an artist somewhere in them; sometimes they just need a little help letting it out.” This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the Texas Sensory Support Network (TxSSN).
While art was always a major part of John’s life, it was not until he lost his sight in 2001 that he began to explore ways to continue to be creative despite having a visual impairment. John’s workshops include adaptive techniques for people with disabilities. For example, John discovered that by adding different textures to his paint palette, he could differentiate colors using tactile skills. According to John, “Everyone has an artist somewhere in them; sometimes they just need a little help letting it out.” This event was co-hosted by the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler and the Texas Sensory Support Network (TxSSN).
For more information about John Bramblitt’s story, please see this short YouTube video: https://youtu.be/DcVdpU-89HA.
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL IMAGES
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Lannette Burlingame is a Special Education Specialist in the area of Visual Impairment at Region 7 ESC. Before coming to Region 7 ESC, Lannette worked as a special education teacher at Whitehouse ISD. She taught Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) in Whitehouse for 22 years before returning to college to complete her master’s degree in the area of visual impairments. After transferring into the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) role in 2016, Lannette served as an itinerant TSVI in Whitehouse ISD, Arp ISD, and Troup ISD before accepting a position at Region 7 in July of 2021.
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References:
(2023, March). Retrieved from EcoLand Early Learning Center: https://ecoland.esc7.net/
(2023, March). Retrieved from John Bramblitt: https://bramblitt.com/
(2023, March). Retrieved from U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA): https://www.usaba.org/
Allman, C. B., Lewis, S., & Spungin, S. J. (2014). ECC Essentials: Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments. New York: AFB Press.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. (2014, April 28). Retrieved from What Is The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)?: https://www.tsbvi.edu/programs/ecc
Tour of the Solar System. (2023, March). Retrieved from Audio Universe: https://www.audiouniverse.org/tour-of-the-solar-system