Orientation & Mobility

Week 1
Start an orientation & mobility Jeopardy game. Categories to get you started: Name that Sound; Cane Techniques; Guide Dog techniques; Electronic Aids; Specific Cities; Body concepts; The Cane; Watch out for Traffic; and Have you Lost your Sense of Direction? Sample ideas that go with ...Have you Lost your Sense of Direction? (Opposite of Northwest? Direction the sun rises? Between landmarks and clues, the one that is permanent and unique?)

Week 2
Make a mobility story book. The goal is to get to know the neighborhood. Make a game at saying their addresses, learn the names of some neighbors, and have your students tell three things they like most about their neighborhood. Also, learn more about maps. Make a map of the streets around the school or their homes.

Week 3
Plan for a rainy day retreat. Play Twister, what's that sound bingo, traffic sign bingo, and play different sight and sound books.

Week 4
Go on an adventure. Have students locate garage sales in the paper and buy "in-games" and toys that build turn-taking and interactive conversation. And while they are in the community, encourage them to greet five new people too.

Resources:

Resources for the Expanded Core Curriculum (RECC)

Draze, D. (1988). Our town: A guide for studying any community. San Luis Obispo, CA: Dandy Lion Publications.

Dodson-Burke, B. & Hill, E.W. (1989). An orientation and mobility primer for families and young children. New York: AFB Press.

Ettwein, J. (2010). Little thinkers: Igniting your child's imagination through storytelling and creativity. Acton, Massachusetts: J. Ettwein Publishing.

Gilroy, P. (1989). Discovery in motion: Movement exploration for problem solving and self concept. Tucson: Communication Skill Builders.

Leary, B., & von Schneden, M. (1982). Simon says is not the only game. New York: AFB Press.

Martin, Gillespie, S., & Green, Hope, H. (1988). Good beginnings: Life skills for preschool through second grade. Boston : Good Apple.

Pogrund, R.L., & all. (1995). TAPS: Teaching age-appropriate purposeful skills. Austin: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Redleaf, R. (1983). Open the door let's explore: Neighborhood field trips for young children. St. Paul: Toys'n Things Press.

APH Talking PC Maps Software

Tactile State Maps

Exceptional Teaching Aids

Talking Tactile Tablet

Orientation & Mobility ECC Audio Library

Teens' Voices ECC Audio Library

DCMP Resources:

Hondo & Fabian

Magnetic Adventure