Independent Living Skills

Independent Living Skills

Whether it’s traveling around the community, cooking a meal, or managing a budget, our team of specialized professionals is committed to enabling each student to live as independently as possible. The School for the Blind uses the nationally recognized Expanded Core Curriculum to ensure that students develop independent living skills along with academic skills.  

The Expanded Core Curriculum includes:  

Compensatory Academics: concept development, organizational skills, speaking and listening, and communication skills such as braille or print reading and writing

Orientation and Mobility: skills to orient children who are visually impaired to their surroundings and travel skills to enable them to move independently and safely in the environment

Independent Living Skills: skills needed to function as independently as possible including personal grooming, time management, cooking, cleaning, clothing, child care, and money management 

Sensory Efficiency: skills that help students use the senses, including functional vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste

Use of Technology: skills to use devices such as computer or other electronic equipment that make it easier to function effectively in school, at home, and in the workplace

Career Education: skills that enable students who are blind or visually impaired to move toward working as an adult 

Social Interaction Skills: skills needed to respond appropriately and participate in social situations

Recreation and Leisure: skills to ensure students’ enjoyment of physical and leisure time activities

Self-determination: skills to enable students to become effective advocates for themselves based on their own needs and goals