THE POWER OFTHE POWER OFINTEGRATIONINTEGRATION

5300 Angeles Vista Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90043

323-295-4555

Joan Marason

Director of Wellness &

Enrichment Programs

Donald A. Ouimet

Vice President of Programs

Helping children and adults who are blind, Helping children and adults who are blind, visually impaired and/or multi-disabled visually impaired and/or multi-disabled

achieve independence.achieve independence.

Junior Blind of AmericaJunior Blind of AmericaMission StatementMission Statement

Expanded Core CurriculumExpanded Core Curriculumfor Blind and VI Children & Youthfor Blind and VI Children & Youth

compensatory or functional academic skills, compensatory or functional academic skills, including communication modes including communication modes

orientation and mobility orientation and mobility social interaction skills social interaction skills independent living skills independent living skills recreation and leisure skills recreation and leisure skills career education career education use of assistive technology use of assistive technology sensory efficiency skills sensory efficiency skills self-determination self-determination

Social SkillsSocial SkillsBlind & Visually Impaired Children can have a hard time developing social skills.

They lack access to facial expressions and body language; visual cues that help shape the social interaction of their sighted peers.

Systematic instruction can help visually impaired children develop social skills.

Children need to practice skills to become proficient.

Integrating visually impaired children with their sighted peers offers both groups access to new skills.

Ice BreakerIce Breaker

Open & active settingOpen & active setting Enhance cognitive abilitiesEnhance cognitive abilities SocializationSocialization Opportunities to experience peer support and team workOpportunities to experience peer support and team work

WHY INTEGRATION WHY INTEGRATION ENRICHMENT?ENRICHMENT?

Being seen as a child first and foremost.Being seen as a child first and foremost. Becoming more independent and self-reliantBecoming more independent and self-reliant Increasing self-esteem through helping othersIncreasing self-esteem through helping others Making new friendsMaking new friends Learning to accept and become comfortable with individual Learning to accept and become comfortable with individual

differences.differences.

BENEFITS OF INTEGRATIONBENEFITS OF INTEGRATION

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Over protective familiesOver protective families FundingFunding StaffingStaffing Modification of ActivitiesModification of Activities TransportationTransportation

ESTABLISHING A PROGRAMESTABLISHING A PROGRAM

Find a usable spaceEstablish a staffEstablish a program designRecruit program participants

Q & AQ & A

THANK YOUTHANK YOU