by Daniel Parker, RDPFS Contributor:
During the month of August, parents and children are gearing up for the new school year. Some tips from the Perkins School for the Blind’s Paths to Literacy, and Lighthouse Guild can be helpful to parents who are preparing their child for the transition and discussing the child’s needs with teachers. A few notable points from these resources include:
- Explain to your child what the routine will be like for the school year, including bus transportation or after-school programs. Set up a bedtime before the year starts. If necessary, work on making parts of the child’s routine, such as dressing or preparing lunch, more independent.
- Meet with teachers. Many stereotypes exist about visual impairment, so make sure the teacher has a good grasp of your child as an individual. Articulate strengths and accommodation needs, including those listed in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), and discuss how the IEP goals will be met. Resources like this article from We Are Teachers can be used as a guide.
- Look into your district’s curriculum, including both in-person and online course options. Consider and talk with your child about how each option would affect their needs.
- Ask to navigate with your child’s teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) in order to learn the indoor and outdoor routes your child will be taking.
More helpful suggestions are available in the Paths to Literacy post on Supporting Children Who are Blind or Visually Impaired as They Return to School and the Lighthouse Guild article BACK-TO-SCHOOL: Learning For Visually-Impaired Children & Teachers. Paths to Literacy also links to additional resources, including a podcast episode from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) on the back-to-school transition.
