As a private contractor, I am frequently asked “Are you busy enough?” The short answer is yes. It’s a misnomer to believe that all of the work required to implement and maintain a quality orientation and mobility program can be done during regular business hours. Some programs have well established off-campus instruction programs and some are in their infancy.
If districts do not have well established off-campus orientation and mobility programs they must develop procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of the student and professional. Before an off-campus program can be ‘born’ the ‘parents’ or administrators must be convinced that the conception of this idea is valid and educationally relevant. Is off-campus instruction an educationally relevant component of a quality program for student with visual impairments?
Once administrators agree to the establishment of an off-campus O&M program, the initial stages of development can start. Forms are created and the program grows as the forms are approved, distributed and signed by legal guardians or parents.
In the second phase of development, potential sites need to be scoped out and determined if they are appropriate for the student. Some things to consider include the ability to safely travel to the sight by an acceptable form of transportation and determining if the destination is safe for the student and staff.
Do sidewalks exist or must the student walk on the road or grass ? Are accessible pedestrian signals (APS) in close proximity to the destination ? What other obstacles need to be considered to enable the student to have a positive experience ?
If APS is a distant concept then relationships need to be developed with the city, county and state department of transportation representatives. Advocating might include reacquainting some employees of outside agencies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the third phase of development, a calendar of dates, times, places, activities must be shared with the extended family such as the District Transition Specialist, District Program Specialist, on-site Attendance Clerk, on-site ESE Specialist, ESE teacher and General Education teacher.
Other family members must be included in the process of implementing off-campus instruction. Key family members include aunt transportation director to schedule school buses. Otherwise, uncle alternative transportation and his cousins must be contacted up to two weeks in advance to schedule para transit.
Once the O&M program grows to the point where it is mobile, a visit to aunt attendance clerk must be included in the lesson. Students must be signed out and back in when they are preparing to leave and return to campus.
The extended family of the off-campus orientation and mobility program continues to grow and go through some growing pains. So to answer your question am I busy enough, you bet !
Copyright. 2013. JoAnne Chalom. All Rights Reserved
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