[blindkid] O&M Instruction for Aubrie

[Debby B]

Good for you, Bonnie, insisting that they work on O&M outside of class. We've fought that battle as well. Our issue is always that she'll miss academics, have extra work to make up the LEARNING that is missing. At first they said they'd just waive the work, but that wasn't the issue, it's the issue of the material covered. She'll still be expected to know the info whether she does the work or not. Having the principal on your side works wonders.

During the summer we do various things. This past summer they worked on routes in town, worked out at the YMCA, etc. Prior to the beginning of school our O&M works with Winona to learn
the new routes for her new schedule. He then trails her the first few
weeks to be sure she finds the correct rooms at the correct times. This
ends as soon as she's able on her own. It's also a great motivator to
learn where to go so she can get rid of the adult! During the school year we have "early release" days about once a month. Those afternoons they work on various routes, crossing streets, calling and taking the bus to the mall or another location, etc.

Buddy Camp is AWESOME!! Winona is hoping to return to the program in MN this summer. Wouldn't it be great if Aubrie was there, too?!

 Debby 
bwbddl at yahoo.com
www.nfbflorida.org/parents



----- Original Message ----
From: Bonnie Lucas <lucas.bonnie at gmail.com>
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 12:00:16 PM
Subject: [blindkid] O&M Instruction for Aubrie

Hello all,
Hope everyone is recovering from a fun-filled Holiday. Aubrie struggled to get up for school this morning.  She didn't read as much as she had hoped because her older sisters came to visit and she had fun with them.

I would like to hear from some of you regarding O&M instructions out of school hours, that is the actual classroom time. Aubrie is in school from about 8 to 3 each day. The actual school hours are 7-4 daily. She is in 7th grade and currently has no O&M instruction. She knows the school well and the TVI worked with her some around the outside of the school while she was taking a study skills classduring the first quarter. However, she is in all mainstreamed classes right now and I have said that she absolutely may not have O&M instructions as a pull-out during the day. Because we simply could not come to any agreement last spring, I just said I would think about what to do and that we would do without O&M for the time being. 
Now I have schedule a meeting with the special ed. director to discuss how to approach this situation. Some of my ieeas are to ask that someone work with her between either 7-8 in the morning or 3-4 in the afternoon. Then, of course, they will need to come up with some transportation as they do not permit their O&M instructors to transport students and I cannot drive her there or pick her up. I also plan to ask for ESY services as other related services are also needed,and then to insist that Buddy Camp would be the best option. 
What are some ways others have dealt with receiving O&M instruction without missing classes? I appreciate any suggestions you may have. One thing my husband suggested is that we invite the principal and ask her to support us in wanting Aubrie to miss no class. It will be interesting to see if she supports us or if she sides with the special ed team. 

thanks for your help and support!
Bonnie
Bonnie Lucas
(770) 544-7523
lucas.bonnie at gmail.com
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/bwbddl%40yahoo.com