A Step Forward

Feeling unsure about how to support a student with a visual impairment? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. In this episode, I’ll walk you through 3 common mistakes teachers often make when working with blind or visually impaired students, and how to avoid them with confidence and care.⌚ Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:23 Overview01:28 Mistake #1: Not introducing yourself03:00 Mistake #2: Not understanding your student's visual impairment04:08 Mistake #3: Not knowing how to interact with your blind student05:08 Hand-UNDER-Hand Technique06:32 4 Ways to Prompt your students with Visual Impairment06:43 Join the Society of Exceptional Educators07:16 Outro💡 In This Episode:The Power of Introduction: Why introducing yourself every time builds trust and reduces anxiety for your student.Understanding Visual Impairments: How to learn about your student’s specific condition through research and direct communication.Respectful Physical Interaction: What to do instead of grabbing a student’s hand, and how to use the hand-under-hand technique the right way.Teaching with Confidence: Why it’s time to let go of “how it’s always been done” and use modern, empowering teaching strategies.Additional Resources: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/5keysTexas Workforce Commission Video: Just Ask - Offering Guided Assistance to A Person Who Is Blind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QBYEw2WaL0Whether 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/ 📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:Join the waitlist! "International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:Facebook: @exceptionaleducators.usInstagram: @exceptionaleducators.usLinkedIn: @exceptionaleducators-us#orientationandmobility #blind #teaching #teacher #education #educational #podcast #specialeducation #inclusiveeducation #visuallyimpaired #visualimpairment

Discover proven interventions and practical classroom techniques to support learners with cerebral palsy, cerebral visual impairment, and related visual processing challenges. In this video, we'll break down what is cerebral palsy and what is cerebral visual impairment, explore types of cerebral palsy, and explain the early signs of cerebral palsy in infants and CVI symptoms. ⌚ Time-stamps:

0:00 Intro

1:34 Overview of Discussion

2:00 What is Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)?

5:06 Common Visual Characteristic of CVI

6:20 What students with CVI experiences

6:29 What is Cerebral Palsy?

7:26 Common Cerebral Palsy Characteristics

9:41 The Link between Cerebral Palsy and Cerebral Visual Impairments

11:41 Common Signs of CVI in Children with CP

15:49 How Vision Affects Movement in Children with Cerebral Palsy

19:18 Educational & Support Strategies

22:42 Teaching Modifications for CVI and CP

25:05 Additional Resources

25:13 Outro 💡 In This Episode:Understanding CP & CVI: Learn what cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment are, including cerebral palsy symptoms, CVI symptoms, and how to identify cerebral visual impairment in children.Effective Educational Strategies: Discover classroom interventions, CVI-friendly activities, and techniques for CVI and sensory integration to support cerebral visual impairment and learning.Boosting Independence: Explore the role of assistive technology for cerebral palsy, vision therapy for CVI, and mobility and vision therapy to empower students with cerebral palsy in children and CVI to move independently and thrive academically.

Links to Additional Resources:

Cerebral Palsy Foundation: https://www.yourcpf.org

National Eye Institute: https://www.nei.nih.govCVI

Scotland: https://www.cviscotland.org

Cerebral Palsy Research Network: https://cprn.org

Paths to Literacy: CVI Learning Center: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/learning-center/cvi/How

Cerebral Palsy & CVI Work: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/learning-center/cvi/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:Facebook: @exceptionaleducators.usInstagram: @exceptionaleducators.usLinkedIn: @exceptionaleducators-us

The United States Department of Education is in the process of being dismantled—and as of March 2025, we're seeing sweeping changes that will impact educators, students, and families across the country.

In this podcast, I'll break down the facts in layman’s terms, providing both perspectives on this historical shift in US education policy.

⌚ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:35 Overview

01:23 What's Happening to the US Department of Education?

02:08 Who is Linda McMahon?

03:35 The current events

04:19 Why this matters

05:10 Key Roles of the Department of Education

07:28 What Supporters Say - and What's missing

08:09 What's not being said

09:27 What Critics and Experts are Warning

12:18 Case in Point

14:58 What Happens Next?

17:52 Key Takeaway

18:53 What You Can Do

20:58 Where Do You Stand?

21:35 Outro

💡 In This Episode:

Why the Department of Education is Being Dismantled: A deep dive into the executive orders, the role of Linda McMahon, and what this means for teachers and students across the USA.

How It Impacts Special Education, Civil Rights & Equity: We explore the risks to special education funding, students with disabilities, and educational equity, plus how school vouchers may widen racial and economic gaps.

What You Can Do Right Now: Stay informed and take action! We talk about contacting your representatives, using tools like Five Calls, and how to advocate for inclusive education and equal rights to education in your community.

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:

Facebook: @exceptionaleducators.us

Instagram: @exceptionaleducators.us

LinkedIn: @exceptionaleducators-us

Discover how blind and visually impaired students thrive in classrooms and beyond! In this episode, we explore how blind students learn and the essential strategies teachers and families can use to support learning without vision. If you're an orientation and mobility specialist, a special education teacher, or working in inclusive education, this conversation is for you!

💡 In This Episode:

How Blind Students Learn Without Vision: We break down how visually impaired students process information, adapt to the classroom environment, and utilize their other senses for learning.

Tools & Strategies for Teachers: Explore practical tips and techniques general education and special education teachers can implement to support blind students’ independence and academic success.

Why Orientation & Mobility Skills Matter: Learn how orientation and mobility training plays a key role in building confidence, independence, and success in and out of school.

🚀 Join the Society of Exceptional Educators: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/

💬 Have insights or questions? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk about how this should be addressed! ⬇️

🙏 Thanks for Watching! Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or just someone passionate about making a difference, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in and let’s dream big together for our students! 🎧

✨Don’t forget to *LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔* so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on the TVI and O&M Symposiums!

🎁 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 for next year's International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&M Specialists: https://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com/

📲 Follow Us on Social:

Facebook: @exceptionaleducators.us

Instagram: @exceptionaleducators_us

LinkedIn: @exceptionaleducators-us

🎧 Watch on Youtube: @exceptionaleducators

Learn about the roles of Orientation and Mobility Specialists in training paraeducators or paraprofessionals to become Orientation and Mobility Assistants based on the AER OMA Model Program. The Orientation and Mobility Assistant (OMA) Program has faced repeated challenges since the 1960s. Despite the need for orientation and mobility specialists to train orientation and mobility assistants, systemic issues have prevented its success.

In this episode, we explore the barriers and potential solutions to improve O&M training and services.📄 Read the Full AER Document: https://bit.ly/ModelProgramforUseofParaeducatorsinOrientationandMobility

⏱ Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:23 Overview

0:56 History of the O&M Assistant AER Program

2:41 Orientation and Mobility Specialists and their Capacity

3:15 Inside the AER Paraeducators in O&M Document

3:58 The Limitations and Barriers on the AER OMA Model Program

4:57 What can Paraprofessional teach and not teach

7:25 My thoughts on this

8:51 Future Curriculum on the AER Paraeducators in O&M

💡 In This Episode:

History & Challenges: Why past OMA programs failed due to funding issues, training limitations, and institutional barriers.

Current Barriers: The lack of full-time OMA positions, increasing workloads for O&M specialists, and the role of AER in training paraprofessionals.

Solutions & Best Practices: How structured teaching and a transdisciplinary approach can help O&M specialists train paraeducators effectively while preventing burnout.

🚀 Join the Society of Exceptional Educators: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/

💬 Have insights or questions? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk about how this should be addressed!

⬇️🙏 Thanks for Watching! Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or just someone passionate about making a difference, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in and let’s dream big together for our students! 🎧

✨Don’t forget to *LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔* so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on the TVI and O&M Symposiums!

🎁 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 for next year's International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium" | Conference for O&MSpecialists: https://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com/📲

Follow Us on Social:

Facebook: @exceptionaleducators.us

Instagram: @alliedindependence

LinkedIn: @exceptionaleducators-us

Youtube: @exceptionaleducators

Ever wished you had a supportive teacher community that gets it? That's exactly why I started the Society of Exceptional Educators (SEE)-to connect, support, and share 21st century teaching strategies for students with visual impairments and disabilities. In this video, I'll share my journey, how SEE came to life, and how you can be part of this incredible society..

If you're a special education teacher, O&M specialist, or teacher of students with visual impairments (TSVI), you're in the right place!

💡 In This Episode:1️⃣ What is the Society of Exceptional Educators (SEE)?A place where O&M specialists, TSVIs, and special education teachers can find community, resources, and real support.2️⃣ How Online Professional Development is Changing the GameCan't travel for professional development? No worries! Learn how you can grow your skills from anywhere.3️⃣ Work-Life Balance for Educators & Avoiding BurnoutLet's talk about time management, teacher productivity, and burnout prevention-because you deserve a personal life too!🎉 Join the SEE Community – It's FREE! 🎉Sign up here: 👉 https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/🌎 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✅ Find real solutions for real challengesCheck out our FREE PDF on 5 Easy Ways to Increase Your Students' Independence: https://www.exceptionaleducators.us/5keysDon't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on our latest content and updates on the TVI and O&M Symposiums!📢 Join the Conversation!Drop a comment below! Are you an O&M specialist, TSVI, or special education teacher? What are your biggest challenges in inclusive education? Let's chat! ⬇️💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exceptionaleducators.us/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exceptionaleducators.us#specialeducation #podcast #educator #teacher #teachingopportunities #teacherdevelopment #visuallyimpaired #orientationandmobility #mobilitytraining #education #inclusiveeducation

In this insightful episode, we dive into essential teaching strategies for orientation and mobility specialists working with students who are blind or visually impaired. Frank Vanderpool shares practical advice on building student relationships, collaborating with classroom staff and parents, and preparing effective lessons to empower students with visual impairments.

💡 In This Episode:

*Becoming an Orientation & Mobility Specialist:* Discover the essential differences between theoretical learning and practical field experience, as Frank Vanderpool shares his journey from the Texas School for the Blind to becoming a trusted itinerant O&M specialist.

*Knowing Students & Building Relationships:* Learn effective strategies for engaging students with visual impairments, understanding their unique needs, and collaborating with classroom staff and parents for optimal learning outcomes.

*Planning, Evaluations & Professional Insights:* Gain expert tips on creative transportation solutions, planning effective IEP goals, conducting assessments, and navigating contracting and insurance as an O&M specialist.

Register for the 2025 International Orientation and Mobility Online Symposium:https://www.orientationandmobility symposium.com

Learn more about Clarity:https://bit.ly/Learn-about-Clarity

Thanks for watching, and see you in the next video! 👋Like what you see? Grab your free resources here:https://alliedindependenceonline.com/free-downloads

Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about inclusive education, this episode is packed with valuable teaching strategies and expert advice. Let’s make a positive impact on our students' lives! 🎧✨

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the BELL ICON 🔔 so you never miss out on content tailored for Orientation & Mobility specialists and Teachers of the Visually Impaired!

📢 Join the Conversation!

Have questions or tips to share? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you! ⬇️

📅 ACADEMIC CALENDAR:

January 29-31: International Orientation & Mobility Online Symposium | Conference for O&M Specialistshttps://www.orientationandmobilitysymposium.com/

💌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:📸

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alliedindependence/📘 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/alliedindependence

In this episode, we dive into the cutting-edge world of AI technology and its impact on Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for students with visual impairments. Join us as we explore Joe Nemargut and Yingzi Xiong's research on how AI is revolutionizing data collection, task performance measurement, and rehabilitation for the blind and low vision community.

Camp Abilities is transforming the lives of children with visual impairments and shaping the future of Orientation and Mobility Specialists through impactful internships, research, and hands-on training.

In this episode, we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of learning the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP). Join Kassy as she sits down with two incredible Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), Rebekka Berry and Shannah, also an O&M Specialist, who are passionate about improving PLAAFPs, writing meaningful IEP goals, and supporting learners with visual impairments to achieve their full potential.