[Pibe-division] What Blind-VI Children Need in School TODAY

[Dr. Denise M. Robinson]

Teachers and Parents often ask me what their child needs for school. 
Here is the basic rule of thumb. Look around in the world today and see 
what is everyone else basically using. What are they using in class 
today? Educate today, what they need tomorrow.

First, to compete in the world and be able to do what every else is 
doing, blind, visually impaired children must learn the computer inside 
and out, Excel, PowerPoint and Word are the main programs. Having an adaptive laptop (such as a Braille Note) is incredibly valuable, but if schools only have enough money for 1 
piece of equipment, go with the computer, as it will do everything the 
Braille Note will do, but the Braille Note can NOT do what the computer 
can do. They must learn how to do email and socialize on social 
networking sites like Facebook. There are many other things off this, but those are the main points. If using talking software, they need to learn how to control it and make it do what it needs to do for them. If visually impaired, use magnification where possible BUT 
also ask, "if my eyes cannot do as much and as quickly as my peers 
around me, then I need to learn blind skills also."

One thing for sure, you will never go wrong if you teach many tools. The
 child will get into big trouble if they do NOT have enough skills in 
their toolbox of learning. Get the education and lessons they need and parents anything that is taught at school, backup at 
home, or vice versa. Get everyone on the team involved in the education of this child, and you will have someone who can meet tomorrow's challenges.
 
       Denise 
 
Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D. 
CEO, TechVision
Specialist in blind technology/teaching/training
email:  yourtechvision at gmail.com
Website with hundreds of lessons: yourtechvision.com 
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