Below are descriptions of each category within the Expanded Core Curriculum, as described by Paths to Literacy, a website created by a "collaboration between
Perkins School for the Blind and
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)." Throughout students K-12 educational journey, student's skills are assessed using a Functional Skills Assessment (FSA). To learn more about FSA, follow this external link:
https://www.aph.org/assessing-daily-living-skills/
Career Education
- Career Education focuses on the development of knowledge, the refinement of innate talents, and the promotion of skills needed for success in employment. This includes exploring different careers, internship or job experiences, and informational interviews. It focuses on components of activities and behaviors and skills needed to prepare students for all the roles they will play throughout their lives, including the maintenance of economic independence in adult life." (ECC Essentials, Chapter 11). Follow this external link to learn more and for the source of this information:https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/career-education-is-januarys-ecc-focus-challenge/
Social Skills
- The area of social interaction contains components and behaviors that are needed to participate in social situations appropriately and to prevent social isolation. These skills are crucial for progressing in school, being integrated into society, and for finding and maintaining employment." (Foundations of Education: Instructional Strategies, Third Edition, Volume 2 Chapter 22). Follow this external link to learn more and for the source of this information: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/social-skills-is-decembers-ecc-focus-challenge/
Independent Living Skills
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL), sometimes referred to as Independent Living skills. ADL/IL skills include instruction in cooking, eating, dressing, cleaning, personal hygiene, time & money management, organization and other skills needed to meet the demands of everyday life. It is the skills necessary to care for one’s self, family, and home and to live as independently as possible. Follow this external link to learn more and for the source of this information:https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/independent-living-skills-is-novembers-ecc-focus-challenge/
Self Determination
- Self-Determination focuses on the skills that enable students to advocate effectively for their own needs and goals. Components that are important within self-determination are: self-knowledge, self-advocacy, empowerment, assertiveness, informed decision making, problem solving and goal setting, self-directed and self-regulated behavior.” Allman, Carol B., et al. ECC Essentials: Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments. APH Press, 2014. Follow this external link to learn more and for the source of this information https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/self-determination-is-octobers-ecc-focus-challenge/
Orientation and Mobility
- Orientation & Mobility includes skills related to independent and safe travel for students who are visually impaired. Orientation is knowing one’s position in relation to other objects, people, and places in one’s surroundings and keeping track of how these positions and relationships change as one moves through the environment. Mobility is the physical act of moving from one place to another (Allman, et al., 2014). Follow this external link to learn more and for the source of this information https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/ecc-monthly-challenge-introduction/
