December 10, 2012 by blennzict | 0 comments
Boston is a 10 year old student in a mainstream school who is learning to make his own hot drink using a microwave oven.
Rebecca, his Resource Teacher Vision, is focusing on a lifeskills programme with Boston and providing him with opportunities to develop his independence. Continue Reading →
December 1, 2012 by blennzict | 0 comments
Figure 1 Boston using a Cranmer Abacus
Boston is learning how to use an abacus to support the development of both maths concepts and calculation skills.
Boston is using a Cranmer abacus because it has proved itself to be a useful whole of life tool for people who are blind or who have low vision.
Karen Gilligan (BLENNZ Resource Teacher Vision) describes how she introduced Boston to the Cranmer abacus (fig.1) and the first activities and strategies she has used to support Boston’s learning. Continue Reading →
June 21, 2012 by blennzict | 0 comments
Figure 1 Repeating patterns to develop tactile discrimination
Tearima is 5 years old and is learning to read and write. As he uses braille to access printed text, his preparation for literacy also includes an extensive programme to develop his tactile skills.
Rebecca Reed, the Resource Teacher Vision in Tearima’s education team, gives an overview of Tearima’s current literacy programme.
She also describes some of the ongoing, behind the scenes preparation that ensures that Tearima has equitable access to the curriculum. Continue Reading →
June 19, 2012 by blennzict | 0 comments
Figure 1 Assistive Technology system with existing and new equipment
As Kate progresses through her schooling, she is finding that she needs to regularly review the technology she is using to access the curriculum.
She is also finding that she often needs to use different combinations of tools and strategies dependent on the tasks.
Meredith Pitcher (BLENNZ Resource Teacher Vision) gives an overview of the process Kate negotiates as she explores some of the technology options during a recent assistive technology review. Continue Reading →