Expanded Core Curriculum

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) targets the learning needs specific to children with blindness/visual impairment.

What is the Expanded Core Curriculum?

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a term used to define the skills and concepts which students who are blind or visually impaired need in order to compensate for the decreased learning opportunities that children gather by observing others.

Nine Areas of the ECC

  • Compensatory or functional academic skills, such as braille instruction
  • Orientation and mobility
  • Social interaction skills
  • Independent living skills
  • Recreation and leisure skills
  • Career education and pre-employment skills
  • Use of assistive technology
  • Sensory efficiency skills
  • Self-determination
Learn about Roles in the Curriculum Contact Us

VABVI has been a life-changing, saving grace for our family. I was completely lost when I found out that my son was blind, but VABVI made it extremely easy to adjust. As a single mom it would not be possible for me to do all of this without the help from VABVI. They have become a part of our family. Thank you VABVI!”

Tara

For more information

Contact VABVI to Learn More About Services for Children, Youth & Teens

Andrea Hershberg

Intake Coordinator

email: ahershberg@vabvi.org

phone: 800-639-5861 ex. 214

Stephanie Bissonette

Director of Children Services

email: sbissonette@vabvi.org

phone: 877-350-8838

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Roles Within the Expanded Curriculum

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) is a private organization employing Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) and Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS) throughout the state of Vermont.

We are dedicated to providing the support, tools and materials necessary for Vermont’s children who are blind or visually impaired to succeed. Our TVIs are licensed by the Vermont Agency on Education, while our COMS and CATIS are certified through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

  • Complete a Functional Vision Assessment
  • Identify the educational implications of different visual impairments
  • Collaborate with team members, including families
  • Create recommendations to maximize the learning environment
  • Determine need for alternative media in the areas of reading and writing such as Braille or large print
  • Provide direct instruction of alternative media in the areas of reading and writing such as Braille or large print
  • Determine need for magnifiers and other optical devices
  • Conduct assessments in the areas of the expanded core curriculum
  • Serve on the team that prepares and monitors the child’s IEP, IFSP or 504 plan
  • Prepare or obtains textbooks and other instructional materials
  • Schedule time to meet with families and educational team members
  • Provide suggestions and strategies for the general education curriculum
  • Provide in-service training for paraprofessionals, teachers, families and any other team members
  • Consult with teachers regarding physical education, art, music, and extra-curricular activities
  • Consult with Low Vision doctors

Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS)

  • Orient students around their home, neighborhood, school and community
  • Teach indoor and outdoor orientation and skills for safe and independent travel
  • Consult with family and educational team members
  • Teach concepts about the body, space, direction, movement and the physical environment
  • Encourage movement, body concepts and spatial awareness with infants and toddlers
  • Teach students to use the long cane and optical devices, such as a monocular, when necessary and how to control glare for light sensitive students.
  • Teach students to use their existing vision to travel safely and independently
  • Provide in-service training in the area of O&M for paraprofessionals, teachers, families and any other team members
  • Serve on the team that prepares and monitors the student’s IEP, IFSP or 504 plan.
  • Teach community travel, including skills to cross streets and travel on public transportation
  • Consult with Low Vision doctors

Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists for People with Visual Impairment (CATIS)

Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists for People with Visual Impairment (CATIS) have additional advanced training specifically in the area of assistive technology. They can help support teams in assistive technology assessment, tool acquisition, instruction to the learner, team and family, and evaluation of technology programming.

Download the full role description

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Explore practical tools and real experiences to support individuals, families, and professionals navigating vision loss. From how-to guides and instructional videos to personal stories and community updates, these resources are here to inform, empower, and connect.

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