[blindkid] Incorporating the Expanded Core Curriculum into thelives of visually impaired children at home

[DrV]

I too could go on & on about the ECC (& have), as it virtually completely
ignores the role of the parent & blind mentors in achieving the proposed
goals of independence. References to parents on the various websites that
discuss the ECC (TSVBI, AFB, Perkins, etc) are limited a one line or so
token acknowledgement to not forget that parents are “part of the team” –
more of a footnote or reminder for TVIs, importantly without the
appropriate emphasis on the critical role of parents, family, local
community & blind mentors.

The various sites above that discuss the ECC refer over & over to “the
student” – even the Family Connect website refers more to student & the
role of the TVI in addressing ECC.

The ECC in its current form should really more appropriately be called
something along the lines of “The TVIs Theoretical Guide to the ECC for
Blind/VI Students.”

>From what I gather, the ECC was put together by a TVI with good intentions (
www.abctx.org/blog/origins-of-the-expanded-core-curriculum) after coming to
the awareness that blind kids were graduating from high school with the
academic accomplishments, but not the real life skills needed to make it in
the real world (unfortunately still a very real issue). My understanding is
that the proposed “curriculum” was really geared towards increasing TVI
awareness that the focus of reaching independence for a blind child/student
needs to expand beyond just the academic curriculum (this is a good thing –
though probably obvious to every parent on this listserv).

The ECC is often described as a “grass roots movement”. I have been aware
of it for over a decade & a half, & from what I have seen, it has remained
the same static document with unfortunately little evolution.

The ECC seems to be gathering increased acknowledgement & acceptance at the
level of the TVIs in California, though few general ed educators are aware
of it.

(Disclaimer: the following is not likely to apply to most of the TVIs,
O&Ms, & other blindness educators on this listserv, but is more of a global
generalization based on my observations in many forums over the years). My
observation is that when the ECC comes up TVI conferences there is a
general tendency for TVIs to assume its all up to them; I often get the
sense that they either seem to feel & a number will even state that parents
“don't get it” & don't possess the skillsets have a significant impact on
their child’s independence. At the same time they will complain that there
is just not enough time to address everything.

I’m going to wrap it up as I can tell I’ve headed into soapbox territory.

Final thought: Like it or not, the ECC does seem to be gathering traction
in the TVI world; if it is going to be used as a guide to be implemented it
needs to be reshaped & frankly rewritten to not only include the TVI
teacher prospective, but critically the parent & blind community
perspectives.

Sincerely,

An Involved Parent of 2 Blind kids with High Expectations



On Sun, May 17, 2015 at 7:29 AM, Marianne Denning via blindkid <
blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Carol, I tell all of my families about NFB and the parents'
> organization.  I also strongly recommend your book because I know it
> is the truth.  Mom had the NFB philosophy when she was raising me even
> though I doubt she ever heard of the NFB. I am also a TVI who sets the
> bar very high for all of my students.  I have helped change a few
> parents' opinions about their child's abilities. But there is so much
> to do.  I think the expanded core curriculum is professionals trying
> to answer a problem they have noticed for many years.  I love your
> ideas for changing the wording.  I don't think of braille as a
> compensatory skill.  It is how I read the written word.
>
> On 5/17/15, Carol Castellano via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > Yes and this is why it's so important for parents to find us and see
> > role models.  First comes the awareness that these things can be
> > done, then the expectations get raised, then people learn how.
> >
> > Carol
> >
> > At 07:55 PM 5/16/2015, you wrote:
> >>Hi Marianne this is a good point.  I can't believe that some parents
> >>just won't teach independent living skills at home.  I understand
> >>that some of them probably don't know what to teach their children.
> >>
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> >
> > Carol Castellano
> > Parents of Blind Children-NJ
> > Director of Programs
> > National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> > 973-377-0976
> > carol_castellano at verizon.net
> > www.blindchildren.org
> > www.nopbc.org
> >
> >
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>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
>
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