Multi-Sensory teaching for students with VI (part1)

Greetings fellow teachers! This series will hopefully provide you with some resources, tips, and information to help you teach students with visual impairments(VI). For the past two years, I’ve had a heavy caseload of students with VI. My students have had low motor abilities and very limited independent skills and all non-ambulatory. I’m excited to share the various ways you can include students with visual impairments into your daily group settings, even with students who are more independent and ambulatory. I hope these resources are helpful to you and your kiddos!

Today I’m sharing my object-based schedule. Object-based schedules are a great way for students to involve a variety of senses. You can create the object to make a sound (auditory input), create an interesting texture (for tactile input), or use a variety of scented resources (for olfactory input). This isn’t just limited to students with a Visual Impairment, but even for a student who doesn’t relate to picture schedules yet.

Supplies needed for object schedule:

You will need any objects that could relate to the task/activity. (e.g. CD=music, spoon=lunch, seat belt=bus/car) You can be as creative you need to stay within a budget or you can purchase this kit (if you want to drop $700 dollars on it) from American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. You can create a tactile symbol using this list!
Decorative Packing Tape ( I use a different color tape for each student)
Black Foam Board (helps distinguish the object from the background)
black foam core
Plastic Index Card Dividers (durable and easy cut to size & easy to hot glue objects onto)
plastic dividers
Hot Glue Gun
most amazing hot glue gun!