This course will provide the participants with an overview of the strengths of children and adolescents with vision impairments and deafblindness related to motor skills and physical activity. The participants will understand the core components of the Expanded Core Curriculum and how they can be met in physical education and physical activity. They will learn instructional strategies, integration into outdoor adventure, how to decrease bullying, and how to promote self-advocacy in physical activity and beyond. They will discuss how to promote sports and involvement in the Paralympics. Lastly, the participants will learn how to empower families to include their child into physical activity and recreation and gain invaluable resources such as videos, books, tip sheets, equipment, web resources and more.

Session 1

This included an introduction of Lauren and the Institute on Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairment or Deafblindness. There was a short overview of Vision Impairment and Deafblindness and current research on motor skills and fitness. We also discussed Camp Abilities and the goals and objectives of this international program.

Session 2

This course covered the Expanded Core Curriculum. We discussed how every component of the Expanded Core Curriculum is met through physical activity and how to infuse this into every child’s day-to-day activity. We discussed how to educate teachers, teacher assistants, and parents about these strategies.

Session 3

Participants learned about tried-and-true instructional strategies such as pre-teaching, tactile modeling, physical guidance and coactive movement. They will understand the key components of Universal Design for Learning as well as common equipment modifications. Utilizing these strategies they will learn how to improve motor skills for young children with vision impairments or deafblindness.

Session 4

How to set up a camp for students who are blind or have low vision.

Session 5

Attendees learned about the importance of Outdoor Adventure for all (activities of daily living, socialization, etc.). We discussed how to include youth with vision impairments or Deafblindness in Outdoor Adventure activities. We also discussed how to teach every child how to self-advocate for their individual needs.

Session 6

Participants learned about the current research on bullying, The Dignity of Risk, and family involvement in physical activity. They learned how to minimize bullying and exclusion and incorporate the Dignity of Risk and teach self-advocacy. They shared how to Include families into the promotion of physical activity. We touched on sports for youth with visual impairment or deafblindness and how to set up the Paralympic sport pipeline. Lastly, every participant was given an abundance of resources such as books, web sites, videos, tip sheets, power points, checklists/assessments, and more.

This event will contribute 6 PD points towards COMS recertification with ACVREP/OMAA.