VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 4
Allison Conway, M.Ed., TSVI, COMS
Tennessee School for the Blind Outreach
allison.conway@tsbtigers.org
As teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs), we talk to students
and families using the word "independence." Years ago, I asked a middle school
student who was totally blind to define what she thought independence meant. It
was quite revealing. She saw herself going to college (a realistic goal) and having a
job and family, but with someone always around to help her with materials,
making her food, cleaning her home, and helping her travel. We had a lot of work
ahead of us. I am happy to report she has been successful in college and become
independent in other areas of her life.
We begin working with families and students early toward that end goal of
having a student be as independent as they can be when they are older, whether
that is independent in the community, in a work-shelter and group home
environment, or helping a caregiver with a task. When we are working with
families and their children age birth to five, we are encouraging parents to teach
Transitioning Expanded Core Curriculum from the School to the
Home
