A Step Forward

What's the difference between the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and the General Education curriculum? This complete guide for teachers and parents breaks down why the ECC is vital for students with visual impairments to succeed both in school and in life.

Ever wonder why students who are blind or have low vision need an "extra" curriculum? We're demystifying the ECC, explaining how its focus on functional life skills works alongside the academic focus of the Gen Ed curriculum to fill crucial concept gaps caused by a lack of incidental learning.

💡 CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: Core Curriculum vs. Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
0:42 - Why an "Extra" Curriculum is Necessary for Blind Students
1:17 - Defining the General Education Curriculum (Academics)
2:01 - Special Education's Role (IEP & FAPE)
2:54 - The ECC Explained: Overcoming the 90% Learning Gap
3:14 - How "Incidental Learning" Creates Concept Gaps (The PB&J Example)
4:56 - Key ECC Skills for Teachers to Know (Compensatory, Daily Living, AT)
6:54 - Push-In vs. Pull-Out Services Explained
9:26 - How ECC Pull-Outs Support General Academics
10:29 - Connect with the Society of Exceptional Educators

💡 In This Episode:

Gen Ed vs. ECC: The Core Confusion ExplainedDefining the purpose of the standardized General Education curriculum and contrast it with the individualized, skills-based Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments.

The "Why" Behind the ECC: Incidental Learning & Concept GapsDiscover why the fact that "90% of learning is visual" creates massive concept gaps for students with vision loss.

Quick Recap into Key ECC AreasIntroduction to the essential skills taught within the ECC that are crucial for independence.

Push-In vs. Pull-Out: How ECC Services are DeliveredUnderstand the practical side of specialized instruction. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!

📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋

🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:

✅ Meet educators who share your passion

✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies

✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/

Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys

📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌

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Does your student with a visual impairment need an Orientation and Mobility Specialist? Learn the key signs that it's time for an O&M evaluation for safe mobility and independent travel.

Discover the exact signs to look for and the critical first steps in the referral process to ensure your student gets the support they need.

💡 In This Episode:

What is Orientation and Mobility (O&M)?

Get a clear, concise definition of O&M and its core purpose

The 3 Key Signs a Student Needs an O&M Evaluation

Discover the three critical indicators that it's time to request an evaluation.

How to Start the Referral Process

Learn the crucial first steps in the referral process and understand who to involve to get a student the support they deserve.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!

📢 Join the Conversation!

Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️

Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋

🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉

🌎 Why? So you can:

✅ Meet educators who share your passion

✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies

✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&M

Register Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/

Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys

📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialists

https://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com

💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.us

https://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.us

https://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Learn essential teaching techniques and educational strategies for students with low vision and legal blindness from an O&M specialist. Avoid common errors in visual impairment education and skyrocket academic and daily living skills.

💡 In This Episode:

The Impact of Missed Opportunities: Discover how crucial scheduling issues and lack of follow-through create missed opportunities for collaboration, co-teaching, and effective instruction in visual impairment education.

Related Service Recommendations: Understand why recommendations from TVIs and O&M specialists often go unused.

False Expectations of Vision: Uncover the common misconception about vision and vision impairments.Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Wondering how to improve classroom accessibility for your blind and visually impaired students? This episode provides a step-by-step environmental analysis for any learning space. Learn how to set up your classroom for students with low vision, visual impairments, and blindness.💡 In This Episode:Classroom Environmental Analysis: The First StepLearn the critical first step to student success. We'll walk you through assessing and evaluating the overall functionality of your classroom for our students with visual impairmentsBoosting Sensory Efficiency: Lighting & ClutterDiscover the surprising impact of classroom decor on a visually impaired student.Harnessing the Power of Color & ContrastDive deep into a real-world classroom example! Learn to spot and fix common accessibility barriers that might be hiding in your classroom right now.Integrating Assistive Tech & Compensatory SkillsLearn how to seamlessly integrate assistive technology and build organizational (compensatory) skills.Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Teaching Students with Visual Impairment for the First Time? You're in the right place! Let's break down the top three essential strategies for supporting your students with low vision, blindness, or CVI in the classroom. Learn what to do right now to ensure your teaching is effective and accessible from day one.

💡 In This Episode:

Beyond the Report: A 3-Pronged Approach:

Discover what an eye report doesn't tell you and learn the critical difference between eye-based and brain-based visual impairments.

Decoding Visual Data:

Quickly make sense of key terms like visual acuity and field loss, and learn how they impact your student's classroom experience.

Making Lessons Accessible:

Find out how to adapt your existing worksheets and materials by focusing on the function of the lesson, not just the format.

The Environmental Check:

See your classroom through your student's eyes and learn why a visually "busy" classroom can create learning barriers.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!

📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉

Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why?

So you can:

✅ Meet educators who share your passion

✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies

✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&M

Register Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/

Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys

📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialists https://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com

💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.us

https://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.us

https://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Discover the essential visual impairment support services and meet the professionals on the visual impairment team. This episode explains the key vision impairment services for students with visual impairment, so you know exactly who to contact and what to expect.⌚ Time-stamps:0:00 Intro1:32 The Medical Team: Ophthalmologist & Optometrist Roles3:03 Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI)5:08 Braillist5:57 Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M)7:44 Certified Assistive Technology Specialist9:32 Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist10:47 Your First Steps: How to Access Services for Students with Visual ImpairmentThe Medical VI Team: Ophthalmologist & Optometrist RolesLearn to identify the key medical professionals involved in a student's care and understand the critical importance of the medical eye report as the first step in securing services.The Educational VI Team: TVI, O&M, and AT Specialist RolesDistinguish between the specific roles of your core VI team—the TVI, O&M, and AT Specialist—so you can collaborate effectively and know exactly who to contact for specific needs like materials, mobility, and technology.Transition & Vocational Support: The Job Coach & VR SpecialistPrepare for your student’s long-term success by learning the function of the vocational specialists who guide students toward employment and independence after high school.How to Get Visual Impairment Support ServicesReceive a clear, actionable checklist to confidently take the initial steps in getting support for your student, eliminating confusion and ensuring no time is wasted.Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Learn how a visual impairment affects social and emotional development in children and adults. This episode explains how visually impaired people can miss non-visual social cues and offers practical strategies for teaching social emotional learning.💡 In This Episode:Why Social Cues Are a Visual Skill: Discover why a person with a visual impairment might miss the subtle, unspoken rules of a social situation.

The 5 Components of Social & Emotional Development: Learn how each area can be impacted by a visual impairment.

Bridging the "Concept Gap" in Social Interactions: Understand the term "concept gap" and how it applies to social skills.

Practical Strategies for Educators & Parents: Learn actionable techniques to help your student or child navigate the social world. 🎉 Join our FREE Membership to the Society of Exceptional Educators! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us

Understand how vision and visual impairments affect learning. This guide explains the impact of sensory loss, incidental learning, and the "concept gap" on students, providing actionable insights for you.⌚ Time Stamps:0:00 Why 90% of Learning is Visual0:43 Introduction to Visual Impairment Education1:11 What is Incidental Learning?1:17 How We Learn Social Cues3:12 The "Concept Gap" in Visual Impairment (Example)4:04 How Missed Cues Affect Social Skills & Jobs4:54 How Concept Development Happens (Example)6:59 The 378 Minutes of Missed Learning Per Day8:32 The Solution: The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)9:43 Tips for Teachers & Paraprofessionals10:30 How Learning is Lost in "Small Moments"11:07 Free Resources for Exceptional Educators💡 In This Episode:The 90% Rule of Incidental Learning: Discover why 90% of all learning is visual. We explain how sensory loss from a visual impairment disrupts this incidental learning process.

Closing Concept Gaps & Reading Social Cues: Learn how missed non-verbal communication and visual cues create "concept gaps" for students with visual impairments.

Why Every Minute Matters: A breakdown of the school day reveals a student with vision loss can miss 378 minutes of environmental learning daily.

The Solution: Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC): Discover the ECC, the essential framework for teaching skills that are not learned incidentally.🎉 Interested in joining the Society? – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us#podcast #visualimpairment #visuallyimpaired #education #inclusiveeducation #specialeducation #vision #eyes #visuallearning #concept #gap #teacher

What is a visual impairment? This guide explains low vision, legal blindness, & terms and definitions related to visual impairments. Learn about being visually impaired from an O&M Specialist in this complete overview for visual impairment education.⌚ Time Stamps:0:00 Overview1:16 What is a Visual Impairment?2:07 How does your eye work?8:35 Cortical Visual Impairment9:29 Common Definition and Terms related to Visual Impairments9:35 The 20/20 Vision10:35 What is Acuity?11:30 Explaining Acuity in an Eye Report 13:48 Field of Vision (Vision Field)15:00 Depth Perception17:01 What do people with visual impairment see?17:30 Vision is not Black and White19:24 Words to Google for Resources20:00 Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)20:50 School-Age Children with Visual Impairment21:40 Adult or Postsecondary Services22:33 Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Services23:24 Community Services for People with Visual Impairments24:55 Outro💡 In This Episode:What Is a Visual Impairment? Discover the real definitions of low vision and legal blindness. We break down the spectrum of vision loss and explain why most visually impaired individuals are not totally blind.A Crash Course in Eye Anatomy:Learn how the eye acts as a camera and the brain as a processor, and what happens when a part of that system is disrupted.Decoding the Jargon: Acuity, Field of Vision & More:Understand visual acuity, field of vision, and depth perception in simple terms, giving you the knowledge to understand a vision report or diagnosis.How to Find Help and Services: Learn the crucial first steps to finding support. Learn how to connect with the right services, explaining the differences in support available for children in school, working adults, and seniors seeking to maintain their independence.List of Words to Google for Resources for people with Visual Impairments:Young Babies - Children: Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)School-Age Children - 22 years old: Visual Impairment + School District, Eye Doctor, Teacher for Student with Visual Impairment.Adult / Postsecondary: Vocational Services, Lighthouse, Orientation and Mobility + you areaOlder Adults / Seniors: Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Services, Vocational/State DepartmentsCommunity Level Engagement: IDEA Laws, National Federation for the Blind, American Federation for the Blind, State Schools for the BlindWhether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us#visualimpairment #visuallyimpaired #inclusiveeducation #vision #visionimpairment #education #educational #podcast #teacher #students

How can an Orientation and Mobility Specialist better support a visually impaired student's communication needs? The key is collaborating with a Speech Language Pathologist! It turns out, our professions have a lot more in common than you might think! Meet our guest: Hallie Sherman, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of experience in public schools. She is now the full-time CEO of Speech Time Fun, Inc., where she provides materials and trainings for SLPs working with older students. Hallie helps educators plan with ease through her SLP Elevate membership, her podcast "SLP Coffee Talk," and her popular virtual conference, the Speech Retreat.In this conversation, Hallie shares actionable methods every Orientation and Mobility Specialist can use to improve social skills and language comprehension for the visually impaired students they serve.Don't miss Hallie's upcoming Speech Retreat! It's a fantastic professional development opportunity for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of communication strategies: https://www.speechretreat.comCheck out speechisfun! https://www.speechtimefun.comhttps://www.slpelevate.comhttps://www.instagram.com/speechtimefun💡 In This Episode:The Speech Language Pathologist's Role with Visually Impaired Students: Uncover the broad role of a Speech Language Pathologist in supporting a student with a visual impairment's language and social skills, and why collaboration with an O&M is vital.Communication Strategies for Students with Visual Impairments: Get actionable strategies for visually impaired students, including how to interpret social cues without vision and use self-advocacy scripts for real-world independence.Why an O&M Should Learn from a Speech Language Pathologist: Learn why breaking down silos between the Orientation and Mobility Specialist and the Speech Language Pathologist leads to more holistic support for students with visual impairments.Whether you’re a teacher, parent, educator, or advocate for special education and inclusive education, this video will help you stay informed about current events.Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on education!📢 Join the Conversation!Have questions or tips of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it. ⬇️Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉🌎 Why? So you can:✅ Meet educators who share your passion✅ Get exclusive teaching resources & strategies✅ Learn the latest in Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) & O&MRegister Here: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/ Struggling to support students with visual impairments? Get Your Free PDF Cheatsheet on how what educators should know to support their students with visual impairments: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keys📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.ushttps://linkedin.com/company/exceptionaleducators-us