This site provides information about the vision care field, with resources on training, career and salaries as an optician.
Source: OpticianEdu.org
Career Education Resources
These sites are helpful to students who are blind or visually impaired and beginning to plan for employment and careers. The resources in the Transition topic area are also often relevant to students looking at career planning.
American Foundation for the Blind maintains a list of organizations offering financial support for qualifying individuals and academic programs. Browse them here.
Source: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)This interactive site includes background information on transition planning, preparing for work, and independent living, as well as activities, resources, and blog posts related to a range of transition topics.
Source: Perkins eLearningPerkins School for the Blind will present a 10-week experiential program for transition-age youth with visual impairments who are seeking to strengthen their job-readiness skills. The program, designed by Dr. Karen Wolffe, and led by Perkins educators Kate Katulak and Jessica Erlich, will focus on help to prepare youth for success in the workplace. Topics include:
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Part I: Self Awareness and Career Exploration
- The Job Readiness Challenge
- Career Exploration
- Setting Goals
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Part II: Job Seeking Skills
- Finding Your First Job
- Building Your Profile
- Preparing for the Interview
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Part III: Application of Employability Skills
- Acing the Interview
- Getting Ready for Work
- Polishing Your Skills
- Finalizing Your Action Plan and Celebrating Your Success
Learn more about the Pre-Employment Program.
For more information contact Pat Ryan at 617-972-7812 or Patrick.Ryan@Perkins.org
This page provides an overview of Person Centered Planning, with a significant number of online resources.
Source: Pacer CenterNCDB offers an overview of Person Centered Planning, articles and other publications, bibliographies, Internet resources, and research.
Source: National Consortium on Deaf-BlindnessThis document is written for parents and provides an overview of Person-Centered Planning, including action steps, young adult participation in the process, and developing natural supports. There are numerous links to additional resources.
Source: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)This webcast, presented by David Wiley from the Texas Deafblind Project at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, presents an overview of the Person-Centered Planning process and how this tool can benefit students and their families as they prepare for the transition from school-to-work. Two parents also discuss their experiences with the transition process.
Source: Perkins School for the BlindCareer and Business planning assistant is provided by Project Aspiro, a global initiative of the World Blind Union. Learn what resources are available and visit the success stories of Aspiro clients.
Source: Project AspiroInformation about obtaining, using, and disclosing medical information; concerns about safety; harassment; how to file a charge of employment discrimination.
Source: United States Equal Opportunities CommissionThis page is full of interesting resources, and includes discussion groups and local organizations. Connecting with blind people in your area can be a great motivator and lead to valuable contacts.
Source: National Federation of the Blind (NFB)The goal of Wyoming AgrAbility is to inform, educate, and assist ranchers, farmers, and farm workers with disabilities and their families so that they can continue doing what they love—ranching and farming. This fact sheet has adaptations that will also be useful for gardeners and home handypersons with visual impairments.
Source: Wyoming AgrAbilityStaff from Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) have created a series of lesson plans for teaching self-determination skills to students with visual impairments. As part of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), Self-Determination is an essential part of the education of students with visual impairments.
Scott Baltisberger, TVI / Outreach Education Consultant and Chrissy Cowan, TVI and Outreach Mentor Coordinator have posted the following lessons:
Unit 1: The Eye and Sight
Topics
- What is an Eye? (Lesson 1)
- How Does an Eye Work? (Lesson 2)
- Everyone Has Different Eyes – Animals (Lesson 3)
- Everyone Has Different Eyes – People (Lesson 4)
- How is My Eye Special? (Lesson 5)
Unit 2: Student Toolbox
Topics
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How Does My Vision Affect My Access to Information?
- K-2nd Grade (Lesson 6)
- 3rd-12th Grade (Lesson 7)
- My Personal Goals (Lesson 8 -all grades)
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Strategies for Increasing Access
- Strategies for Braille Readers (Lesson 9)
- Strategies for Print Readers (Lesson 10)
- Strategies for Using Audible Materials (Lesson 11)
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Strategies for Communicating with Others about Access
- Personal Preferences for Access to Visual Media (Lesson 12)
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Creating a Product to Communicate Visual Strategies/Tools with Teachers (Lesson 13)
A 122-page planning guide for implementing skills development and access to work for people with disabilities.
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO)This guide focuses on the development of student portfolios to document "accomplishments, needed adaptations, modifications, and accommodations, including transition to the next environment or postsecondary environments." Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Source: Kansas State Board of EducationSeven young adults, all of whom are blind or visually impaired, were invited by PRCVI to share their experiences and insights about life before and after grade 12. Scroll down the page to find the audio of their talks.
Source: Provincial Centre: Special Education TechnologyThe mission of the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision is the "enhance employment and independent living outcomes for individuals who are blind or visually impaired through research, training, education, and dissemination." Information on registering to participate in the Center research. Most materials are aimed at professionals.
Source: Mississippi State University (MSU-NRTC)Developed for students ages 3 to 22, this curriculum focuses on developing life and career goals that enable student to maximize independence, self-determination, employability, and participation in the community.
Source: Perkins ProductsNCDB is an information clearinghouse on deafblindness. This site provides links to extensive resources, including a specific transition packet, articles and other publications, bibliographies, Internet resources, and related topics.
Source: National Consortium on Deaf-BlindnessThe Transition Coalition provides online information, support, and professional development on topics focusing on the transition from school to adult life for youth.