Transcript Preparing for College: Programs for Youth with Vision

Preparing for College:
Programs for Youth with Vision
Impairment or Intellectual
Disabilities
The Visually Impaired Student
College Survival guide
Joe Strechay
Project Associate: CareerConnect,
American Foundation for the Blind
Scott Truax
Program Manager: FamilyConnect and
CareerConnect, American Foundation for
the Blind
April 11, 2012
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What is the ultimate goal of a
student going off to college?
To succeed, but what does that mean?
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
3
What areas must any college
student succeed in?
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Attendance (O & M)
Readings
Testing
Note Taking
Studying
Time Management
Volunteer Experience
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Social Skills
Self Advocacy
Accessing Technology
Resources
Independent Living
Skills
• Employment Skills
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
4
The Importance
• These areas are even more important to
students with visual impairments. Students
with visual impairments will have to be taught
how to perform these tasks in an efficient and
effective manner.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
5
Attendance (O & M)
• Learning the Campus
 Students will need to arrive on campus early to
familiarize themselves with the campus and
routes.
 Enlisting the help of an orientation and mobility
instructor would be beneficial.
 Learning base routes and expanding out hitting
areas of importance first.
 Learning the landmarks, cues and clues.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Attendance (O & M) - 2
• Learn the buildings and numbering systems.
• Learn the classroom set up and rehearse
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routes all the way through.
Leave for classes with plenty of time to spare.
CAMPUSES CHANGE OFTEN!
Plan schedule according to buildings and
times.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Attendance (O & M) - 3
• May be necessary to ask for other student’s
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assistance to get to classes. Be polite and
make sure they are in the class as well.
Don’t ware out your welcome! (Until route is
learned)
Be practical and realistic.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
8
Readings
• Reading method must be fast and efficient!
• Must know how to get access to reading materials
and be able to adapt or accommodate for
themselves if need be.
• Must take the initiative to find out books prior and
plan ahead.
• Books can be downloaded online.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
9
Readings - 2
• Students must keep a dialogue with
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professors to find out about up coming
readings if added.
Students must know how to access readings
in multiple mediums.
Students must learn to prioritize and use
good Time Management Skills!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
10
Readings - 3
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Bookshare.org
National Library Service
LearningAlly (formerly RFB&D)
iBooks
Student Textbook eRent Project (STEP)
NFB Newsline
Other websites for audible books
Stay on top of the technology available! Read
AFB’s AccessWorld for free online.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
11
Time Management
• Make a schedule and live by it! A planner is
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a good idea.
Put all readings, assignments and exams into
the planner.
Assign times to study.
Allow time to sleep and eat, staying healthy is
important.
Get assignments done early.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
12
Volunteer Experience
• Volunteer with charities or philanthropies.
• Volunteer to get employment experience and
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“your foot in the door.”
Prove your value in these situations!
Being a well rounded individual.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
13
Testing
• Contact the Student Disability Center on the
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campus to find out their procedures.
Student should know what accommodations
they need.
Let professors know what accommodations
are needed right away.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
14
Testing Accommodations to
be considered
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Time
Size of Print
Having a reader
Electronic format such as on a computer
Lighting
Filling out the answer key (Scantron can be difficult)
Use of a CCTV or magnifier
Utensil or computer
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
15
Note Taking
• Speed, accuracy and efficiency.
• Must be able to take some sort of notes.
• Recording the class is great, but doubles the
amount of time spent on the notes. They will
have to be transcribed later.
• Method has to suit the student!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
16
Studying
• Introduce the student to multiple methods.
• The student must have a primary method
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before college.
Some classes may require a different method
of studying.
Some students do not study well in groups.
Schedule reader if needed.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
17
Social Skills
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Basic manners
Age appropriate
Conversation skills
Posture and attention
Addressing different audiences
Dress and appearance
Peers will be honest, practice!!! Enlist help if
needed.
• Phone conversation skills
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
18
Self Advocacy!
• Students must be able to express themselves and
what they want in an appropriate manner.
• Students must know how to advocate for
themselves and this needs to be practiced in all
facets of life.
• Students must know when it is appropriate, it many
not always be.
• Disclosure statement
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Accessing Technology
• Students must be able to use computers, use the
internet efficiently, access online blackboard sites,
access e-journals and extranets.
• Screen readers or magnifiers, note takers or
recorders, and the latest technology.
• It is up to us as teachers to make sure they have the
technology and skills to make it!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
20
Accessing Technology
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Smart Phones = iPhone or Android phones
Why the iPhone
Apps
Keyboard
Accessing social media
AccessWorld – www.afb.org/aw
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Resources
• Research the college or university to see
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what services they offer.
Contact the Disability Center on campus.
Visit the school.
Contact a student with a visual impairment at
the school.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Resources - 2
• Contact local organizations.
• Look into housing that allows easy access to
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the school.
Look at transportation in the area and the
cost.
Get to campus early and get to know it,
weeks or months early!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
23
Resources - 3
• Keep track of the contact information of all
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the resources and people you meet for future
reference.
Create a rapport with contacts.
Make sure these people remember you,
make an effort.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Readers and Note Takers
• Practice and role play hiring readers and note
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takers.
Make lists of questions.
Have them read or look at their notes.
Create a flyer with first name, phone number
and the service you are looking for.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
25
Readers and Note Takers - 2
• Have many readers, try to get some non•
students. Churches, super markets and
libraries are great places to put a flyer.
This is a job, you can fire them if they don’t
meet your needs!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Employment Experience
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First job is not a career.
Create a Portfolio.
Know your materials.
Interviewing skills
Letters of Reference
Be confident and dress to impress.
Practice, practice and more practice…
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Employment Experience - 2
• Start Internships early and keep them
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coming.
Contact people in fields of interest.
Contact persons with VI in related field.
Career Connect is a great resource!
Career Centers are great places and are
under utilized.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Research
• This information was compiled by Joseph
Strechay and Tiffany Barbieri during the
summers of 2004 - 2006 at Florida State
University while helping to run a college
transition program. These are areas that we
felt these students were lacking in when
arriving.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
29
Are our students prepared?
• Are they prepared to succeed in the modern
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college or university or have we neglected
needs that will cause them to fail!
Let’s prepare them to succeed! We all care a
lot about these students and want the best for
them!!!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Goal Setting, Mapping, & Career
Goals
ERASE low expectation and aim for achievable
goals
• Exploring interests, values, and abilities
• Researching goals
• Are the goals Achievable
• Set objectives
• Execute and Evaluate Progress!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
31
Mapping Out Career Goals
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Map out the future
It can & will change
Set objectives and work to achieve them
It is important to always have goals &
objectives
• Inform others
• Be accountable
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Activities (college prep.)
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College Ready Challenge
Researching college
Contacting student disability resource centers
Taking an online course
Time management
Communication with professors
Note taking (guest lecturers)
Writing skills
Access and acquiring readings
Visit colleges
On campus scavenger hunt
Web and phone scavenger hunt
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Employment Related Activities
• Job Seeker’s Toolkit contains many lessons with specific
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assignments
Contacting mentors
Occupational interviews
Observations
Practice researching employers
Phone skills (appropriate phone skills)
Mock interviews
Problem solving
Time Management
Resume and cover letter writing
Networking (practice, practice, practice)
Aaron’s Adventures in Employment (AFB CareerConnect)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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AFB CareerConnect
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Job Seeker’s Toolkit
Career Clusters
Mentors
Message Boards
Multimedia
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
Can youth without a high
school degree go to
college?
YES
They Can
By Norciva Shumpert
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Now
Youth with intellectual
disabilities can also experience
college
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Programs
• Formal Programs
• Informal Programs
 Individualized for a student
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Programs cont’d.
• Formal Programs
 TPSID (Transition and Postsecondary Programs
for Students with Intellectual Disabilities)
 Partnerships with Higher Education and
Secondary Education, VR
• Informal Programs
 Individualized for a student
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Career Features
• Setting paid employment as a goal
• Time and staff dedicated to job development and
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placement
Staff trained in job development strategies
Flexible staff schedules
Flexible student schedules
Career Discovery Process
Amy Dwyre & Meg Grigal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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States with programs
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Florida
North Carolina
South Carolina
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Georgia
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Programs Look Different
• Varied focus
 Independent living
 Social skill development
 Vocational development
• Programs vs. Individualized
• Programs of TIPSED
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Why go to College?
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Learn additional skills
Create a network of professionals
Experience life like others at 19 years of age
Exposure to careers based on interest, matched work
experiences
• Credentials
• Learning “who you are”, expanded Discovery
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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VR Funding
• States differ in how they fund, but most are
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funding
Almost all are funded on an individual basis
Various funding options;
 Per student tuition
 Per VR services provided, such as assessment,
job coaching.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Resources
• Archived webinar on tacesoutheast.org
Post Secondary Options for
Youth with Intellectual Disabilities
http://tacesoutheast.org/webinars/2011/020311/index.php#content
• Thinkcollege.net
 Research
 Training
 Dissemination
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Mason Life Video
• The following Video features two students in
the Mason LIFE program students in our
Congressional Internship program
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/45728575
http://masonlife.gmu.edu/
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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What can you do?
• Identify the role VR in your state offers in supporting
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persons with intellectual disabilities in college.
Consider, initially and in an ongoing way, youth with
intellectual disabilities you serve that could benefit from
college.
Participate in partnership discussions regarding the
development of these services
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
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Comments & Questions
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
48
Contact Information
Joe Strechay
Project Associate: CareerConnect, American
Foundation for the Blind
Email: [email protected]
Scott Truax
Program Manager: FamilyConnect and CareerConnect,
American Foundation for the Blind
Email: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
49
Education Credits
CRCC Credit - (2.0)
Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor
Certification (CRCC)
• By April 21, 2012, participants must score 80% or
better on a online Post Test and submit an online
CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal.
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
50
THANK YOU!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
51
Southeast TACE (Region IV)
Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]
Fax: (404) 541-9002
Web: TACEsoutheast.org
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
Email: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
52
Disclaimer
This presentation was developed by the
TACE Center: Region IV ©2011 with funds from
the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of
Technical Assistance and Continuing Education
Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However,
the contents of this presentation do not necessarily
represent the policy of the RSA and you should not
assume endorsement by the Federal Government
[34 CFR 75.620 (b)].
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012