Self-paced

Getting in Touch with Distance Learning: Considerations for Braille Readers

A set of case studies featuring students of with varied levels of braille knowledge, assistive technology experience and access, across grade levels.

Exploration of considerations for distance learning

This tutorial provides an exploration of considerations for distance learning for braille students, based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach focuses on a set of case studies featuring students of with varied levels of braille knowledge, assistive technology experience and access, across grade levels. A key theme running through these case studies is that a student’s previous experience and instruction in the use of a range of assistive technology tools allows for higher levels of independent access to curriculum materials during remote learning.

Instructor Bio(s): 

Lindsay Orcutt is a TVI/COMS who has worked for the New York City Department of Education’s Educational Vision Services for 13 years. She also serves as an assistive technology evaluator and trainer for students with blindness and visual impairments for the New York City Department of Education’s Technology Solutions. Lindsay currently teaches both the introductory O&M and the math literacy/Nemeth Code courses in the TVI program at Hunter College.

Jonathan Hooper is a TVI who has worked with the New York City Department of Education’s Educational Vision Services for seven years, having previously taught at the Tennessee School for the Blind. He holds a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, and his graduate research has been published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. Jonathan currently teaches the Braille course in the TVI program at Hunter College in New York, and he has presented on curriculum adaptations and literacy programs for students with visual impairments.

Level:
Introductory
Length:
Approximately one hour
Credits:
1.5 Continuing Education
1.5 Professional Development
1.5 ACVREP
1.5 CTLE
.15 ASHA