VIDBE-Q Volume 68 Issue 4
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development from start to finish. Think about all the aspects of planning and
participating in a community outing that involve literacy. Figure 4 provides an
example of literacy activities involved in an outing to the local library.
Figure 4
Examples of Literacy Activities Involved in a Community Outing to the Local
Library
Phase of Outing O&M Area and Related Literacy Activities
Planning
• Information gathering: looking up the address and hours of the library,
looking up bus routes and schedules to/from the library
• Information recording: writing down the information gathered, writing
down procedures (e.g., steps for bus travel) – for students who are not
reading proficiently, information recording can be done with pictures or
audio recordings
• Orienting and familiarizing: looking at pictures of libraries and how they
are laid out (i.e., environmental literacy!), reading and/or creating maps
Outing
• Traveling: following recorded information to get from the starting point
to the library and back
• Establishing and maintaining orientation: reading and following maps;
finding and reading signs along the route
• Exploration: moving about the library and its surrounding areas to see
what it has to offer
Reflecting
• Debriefing: journaling, discussing experiences
• Remembering: creating and reading O&M experience books
Remember what I said in the beginning about the connection between O&M
and literacy: the link may not be obvious at first glance, but O&M instruction can
support literacy development in learners with visual impairment, regardless of their
age, ability level, or level of visual functioning. Opportunity is key in supporting
