Sherlock logoRIVESP Pathways
A newsletter of the Paul V. Sherlock Center at RI College
 
June 2013 - Volume 1, Issue 2
In This Issue
Welcome
The Expanded Core Curriculum
ECC Focus: Recreation and Leisure
EnVision Work Update
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Local NFB Chapters
ECC Resources
  
  
  
Quick Links
  
  
  
 
 
  
Join Our Mailing List!
Welcome to RIVESP Pathways!
  
RIVESP Pathways is a quarterly newsletter for teachers, parents, students, and anyone interested in what's going on with services and activities for students with visual impairments in RI. This quarterly newsletter will keep you connected and informed about the latest innovations, research, and best practices related to the education of our students with blindness and visual impairments, including transition to life after high school. We will also link you to local resources, inform you about the new Expanded Core Curriculum and share stories of RI's children, youth and adults with visual impairments.
 
  
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
  

All children with visual impairment should have access to the typical curriculum that all students participate in. The Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments includes the unique skills and knowledge a person with a visual impairment needs due to their disability-specific needs. The nine areas of the ECC for students with visual impairment are:

  • compensatory or functional academic skills, including communication modes
    ryan
    Seven-year-old Ryan playing the piano using an adapted notation method
  • orientation and mobility
  • social interaction skills
  • independent living skills
  • recreation and leisure skills
  • career education
  • use of assistive technology
  • sensory efficiency skills
  • self-determination 
   ECC Focus: Recreation and Leisure

 

keira soccer
Six -year-old Keira playing soccer with a group of students in a recreational league set up by parents

All children learn about the world and how to connect with others through play. For the child with a visual impairment, the world of recreation and leisure needs to be made accessible so that they may gain the same kinds of experiences that their sighted peers are having throughout childhood.   Accessible recreation and leisure activities are part of the ECC because loss of vision presents unique challenges---but not barriers---- to participating in the range of sports, games, and hobbies that life has to offer. Helping your child build recreation and leisure skills will give them a way to enjoy a balanced, active, and fulfilling adult life.

 

Before summer vacation starts, you might want to review some of the information these great sites have to offer:

  1. Perkins School for the Blind's "Scout": this page has links to toy guides/suggestions, information and articles about adapted sports, games, and summer camps.
  2. Texas School for the Blind Recreation and Leisure Skills and Curricula Resources: The Texas School for the Blind has compiled an extensive list of books on topics related to recreation. Topics include sports, dance, crafts, games and more.
  3. Good Toys for Blind Kids: suggestions from parents (compiled by NFB).
  4. The Encyclopedia of Sports and Recreation for People with Visual Impairments: a 2012 book written by Andrew Leibs. Available from Amazon.com.
  5. Sail Blind Blog: Blog chronicling the journey of the SailBlind teams as they prepare for 2013 Worlds in Japan.
 EnVision Work Update 

In January 2012, the Paul V. Sherlock Center was awarded a grant

from the Rhode Island Foundation for the EnVision Work Project. EnVision Work is entering its second year and has accepted new students in addition to the first cohort of students who will complete the program by December 2013. We continue to provide opportunities for career exploration through: an online "course" with materials related specifically to employment for people with visual impairments, person centered planning meetings, informational interviews with employers, job shadows, peer support groups, meetings for family/support network members, internships, volunteering, and paid employment.

 

 

Recent EnVision events:

Bernie
EnVision Participant Bernie Miller outside of a Providence law office where he recently job-shadowed a paralegal
  • May "Open" EnVision Meeting: this event was open to EnVision participants, their families, and anyone interested in attending. Guest speakers from Guiding Eyes for the Blind (dog guide training school), local guide dog users, and mobility instructors spoke to group about mobility skills needed to be successfully employed and independent as an adult.
  • Peer group meetings: We recently invited Gloria Stuart from TechAccess to speak to our group about her early job opportunities and how she worked towards her current position as assistive technology consultant. Gloria talked to our group about the importance of good advocacy skills and how the need to skillfully "educate and inform" supervisors and co-workers around needs and abilities is ongoing throughout one's life as a person with a visual impairment.
Not Participating in EnVision Work? Here are some alternative ways to use your summer and explore career interests and build skills:
  • Volunteering is a great
    Gloria
    Gloria Stuart from TechAccess speaks to EnVision Work participants in April.
    way to build skills and explore potential career inter  ests. For example,
    have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in construction? Then consider volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Check out opportunities through Serve RI.
  • Explore your interests; take a non-credit course at a local college or university. Many local colleges and universities and towns offer these types of learning opportunities. For help finding something in your area, contact Kate Ray at kray@ric.edu.
National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island (NFB of RI) is a membership-based consumer advocacy organization and is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.  The goal of the NFB of RI is for blind people to help other blind people through mentoring, encouragement, support, sharing ideas and education about community resources.  The NFB of RI offers scholarships to college student that are legally blind.  The NFB of RI has 2 chapters, Greater Providence and Mount Hope. The chapters meet on a monthly basis.   Meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet other blind individuals and share ideas. Come to a meeting and learn more about the NFB and its philosophy.  

Mount Hope Chapter of the NFB of RI

Meeting Dates:

Location:

Time:

For More Information:

Third Thursday of the Month

Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope Street, Bristol, RI

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

(401) 380-6942

  
Greater Providence Chapter of the NFB of RI

Meeting Dates:

Location:

Time:

For More Information:

Second Saturday of the Month (except for July and October)

Parkway Towers, 10 Office Parkway, East Providence, RI

10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (preceeded by a social half hour)

(401) 484-5892