Money folding, and everyday skills for young adults with a visual impairment

Money Management and everyday skills to help young adults who are visually impaired get ready for that big step of transition!

Keeping Track of Money from American House for the Blind (APH)
On the APH sight you will find a wealth of information regarding how to manage your money from how to identify money through the folding process (see below) to everyday living skills.

Identifying Bills by Fold

By folding denominations of bills in different ways, you can easily locate them in your wallet. Here's how:



Leave $1 bills unfolded


Fold $5 bills lengthwise


Fold $10 bills by width

• Fold $20 bills lengthwise and then by width. Or you can fold them just lengthwise and put them in a separate section of your wallet

Identifying coins by touch - practice with a friend or family member using these techniques

• Size - The dime is the smallest coin, and the half-dollar is the largest.


• Edge - The penny and the nickel have a smooth edge. The dime, quarter, and half-dollar have a milled, ridged edge.


• Thickness - The nickel is thicker than the other coins.

http://www.afb.org/section.asp?SectionID=40&TopicID=215&DocumentID=2232

Living Skills Center for the Visually Impaired
Attention-graduating seniors looking for those easy to use must have checklists that target what you need to know when transitioning from high school to your next step – well check out this checklists at

http://www.livingskillscenter.org/checklist.htm

Transition and Pre-Vocational

Social Skills

Orientation and Mobility

Living Skills

Food Preparation

Financial Management checklist includes a wide variety of skills for the visually impaired young adult making that very important move to transition from high school to the work world. This checklist covers topics such as handling money, banking, signing checks with a signature card and so much more.

http://www.livingskillscenter.org/fa.html


St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Has an outstanding summer camp program called Project STEP. Below is a brief description (retrieved from the website April 3, 2009) stating the areas of transition that are targeted for high school seniors.

Project STEP A program directing the way for our young adults with visual impairments

Summer Transition and Employment Program is the first program of its kind offered by the Society, partially funded by the St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind, for high school students who will go to college or into the competitive work force. The focus of the program is for intensive lessons in adaptive technology (speech and large print screen computer programs), meal preparation and exposure to work settings and other professionals who are blind. Programs address additional needs students must learn as they transition into adulthood, such as ironing, cleaning, cooking, money management and so much more.

Click here for their complete mission statement, vision statement, eligibility requirements, and all the STEP components; as well as the application to apply for Project STEP 2009.

http://www.lhbindustries.com/seethefuture/step.asp

Self Directed Transitional IEP’s resources for educators and counselors

Curriculumum Guide

This book is a must have! See table of contents below for a glimpse inside this valuable must have curriculum guide!

Table of Contents

• Forewords


• Getting Started


• Unit Objectives
  
• Introduction/Orientation


• General Teacher Information


• Introduction to Students


• Objectives


• Key Words


• Materials


• Activities


• Teacher Resources
  

Sample of units - for full list visit http://www.tsbvi.edu/publications/sd.htm#top

• Unit 2: Self-Awareness


• Unit 3: Identifying Strengths and Challenges


• Unit 4: Self-Acceptance, Coping and Compensatory Strategies


• Unit 7: Personal Control


• Unit 8: Communication: Basics of Communication and Active Listening


• Unit 10: Personal Advocacy


• Unit 13: Dreaming About the Future


• Unit 16: Making Action Plans (steps to reach short-term objectives


• Unit 18: Problem Solving II: Goal Assessment and Revisions


• Unit 20: Rights and Responsibilities (including legal status)


• Unit 23: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
  
  http://www.tsbvi.edu/publications/sd.htm#top

Course Work

The Cornell University site is an on-line self paced course on person centered planning. The site can be read, printed to meet everyone’s needs. There are 7 course topics to choose from each include;

• Introduction
  
• Quiz


• Activity


• Readings


• Resource
  

Course list:

• Course 1: Introduction to Person-Centered Planning


• Course 2: Community Membership: Opportunities for Meaningful Interaction


• Course 3: Self-Determination


• Course 4: Common Threads Between Different Person Centered Tools


• Course 5 Series: Popular Person-Centered Tools


• PPCT: Objectives and Framework
  
• PPCT: Essential Lifestyle Planning


• PPCT: MAPS


• PPCT: Personal Futures Planning


• PPCT: Circles of Support


• Course 6: Organizational Change


• Course 7: Transition Planning
  

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/pcp/course07.html

Power Point

Student Involvement In Their Transition Education Planning Process

This is Power Point of 72 slides is a wealth of information that educators and counselors can draw upon to help develop their abilities to bring about a “true” self directed and self developed Transitional independent educational plan.

http://www.google.com/search?q=teaching+self+directed+Transitional+IEP++Florida&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a


Resource Center Web Site

Self-Determination Resource Web Site - This one is my favorite

This site is comprehensive and easy to use. It has links to every aspect of self-determination and Transitional IEP’s. The following links include guides, brochures, websites, books, Power Points, contacts, portfolio templates, agencies and the list goes on;

• Websites


• Examples of student-let IEP’s


• Classroom resources, person centered planning guides
  
• Post secondary Education


• Professional Organizations


• Schools


• Self advocacy


• Self determination


• Research


• Preschool, Kindergarten, Secondary and Elementary


• School Reform


• Conferences


• Transition


• Voices


• Textbooks
  

http://www.selfdeterminationak.org/resources_for_teachers.html

Soical Programs for persons with disabilites

It’s time to be social! Attention adults and young adults with disabilities here are some great resources for getting out and having fun!

Ben’s Place of Jacksonville Florida

Ben’s Place provides an atmosphere that supports members who wish to be part of a community of friends’ through community events, dances, social events, games, movies and much more. Ben’s Place offers a time for persons with developmental and or acquired to interact with the peers in a safe, fun environment.

For more information

Ben’s Place Services, Inc.

Attn: Executive Director

4401 Wesconnett Blvd.

Jacksonville, Fl 32210

904721-5662

www.bensplacecof.org

Read about the history of Ben's Place, how it got started and a neat testimony by the founders.

Club fills son’s need to meet and greet

By CHARLIE PATTON, the Times-Union April 2007

It began with a simple conversation between Melody McFadden and her son Ben Shay. Click here to read the entire story http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041007/pat_9153395.shtml

Access Leisure Boosts Social & Fitness programs - Sacramento California

Now Sacramento has a neat program for persons with disabilities. They boost a program rich in social activities. Check them out if you’re in the Sacramento area and or if you are in the market for developing a program. Sacramento would be a great model to use in developing one in your area.

Social & Fitness Programs for Teens and Adults
with Developmental Disabilities
The City of Sacramento, Access Leisure, offers social activities for teens and adults with developmental disabilities such as themed dances and community outings. Fitness programs include a walking program, bocce, softball, basketball, bowling, swimming, and an annual track & field meet. For more information or to receive a monthly calendar, please contact Philip Sinclair at (916) 808-6045. Read our Monthly Events Calendar for program specifics about upcoming events.

http://www.midtowngrid.com/directory/view/entry/20483

The Blind Center of Nevada

The center is a place to gather and make friends for persons who are visually impaired. Together they share their challenges, interests, and develop a network.

The center promotes a variety of social activities in a safe and supported atmosphere. Some of the neat activities are;

• Arts and Crafts
• Ceramics
• Weaving
• Bowling
• Exercise Class
• Day Trips (Shopping, Fishing, Picnics)
• Camping Trips
• Lunches and Socials
• Dinners and Dances
• Nutrition Class

http://www.blindcenter.org/?sec=programs

Financial Planning - Parents essential information to ensure positive future outcomes!

Financial Planning is essential for persons with disabilities! Start early!

Agency
Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy
for Persons with Disabilities
http://www.cqc.state.ny.us/default.htm

This site outlines the state of New York’s commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD) as an independent, New York State government agency charged with improving the quality of life for New Yorkers with disabilities and protecting their rights.

They are committed to do this by:

· Promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life

· Ensuring programmatic and fiscal accountability in the State's mental hygiene system

· Providing individual and systemic investigative and advocacy services

· Advancing the availability and use of assistive technology for persons with disabilities

· Offering impartial and informed advice, training and recommendations on disability issues


The CQCAPD serves as an advocate and a resource for individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities.
http://www.cqc.state.ny.us/default.htm


Article
Time is of the Essence
Financial Planning for Persons
With Disabilities by Pat Johnson

In this well written article author Pat Johnson outlines the need for and the differences between trusts. Johnson gives real life examples of how “not” having a trust impacts a person and “how” having a trust positively impacts a person’s future. For example the supplemental needs trust (SNT) which is a third party trust. This trust enables a person to use their trust money for extras like vacations and other needs without impacting their social security income. Additional information is provided regarding first party trusts, pool trusts and legal counsel.
http://www.cqc.state.ny.us/counsels_corner/cc81.htm

Brochures
Special Needs Alliance
A neat site dedicated to helping families with Financial and Life Planning for their family member with disabilities. One can find good resources and FREE brochures you can download on the following topics:

· What is a "Qualified Disability Trust" for Federal Income Tax Purposes?

· Brief Guide to Special Needs Trusts

· We Are the Special Needs Alliance

· Avoiding Legal Malpractice by Using Special Needs Trusts

· What Happens When I Turn 18?

· Selecting the Trustee

· Buying a Home for a Person with Disabilities

· Estate Planning for Parents of Children with Disabilities

· Striking a Balance With Structured Settlements

· Special Needs Trusts for Litigation Proceeds

http://www.specialneedsalliance.com/resources

Health and Safety resources for persons with a visual impairment

March is workplace Eye Health and Safety
Awareness Month

Check out these great links for free downloads and resources to help create a safe workplace environment for persons who are visually impaired.

Here is a sample of question and tip links;

“Can you see the dangers in your workplace? Accidents at work are a major cause of preventable blindness.”

* Work Place Safety Tips
* Employer Information
* Computer Eye Strain

The Florida Division of Blind Services

http://www.flblind.org/Resources.html

Workplace Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month: March 1 – 31

http://dbsdev.myflorida.com/

Booklet
Fire Risks for the Blind and Visually Impaired free download
30 - Page booklet from FEMA
This is an excellent free source filled with helpful information.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-205.pdf

Books
Now this is a neat topic; improving assess in the work place and public venues with color and lighting. Check out these two Books;

Color and Contrast: making buildings accessible to visually impaired people

by Keith Bright

ICI Paints

by Vicki Fleming

Keith Bright states “The design and provision of color, lighting and visual contrast are important issues for all users of environments, but especially so for people with a visual impairment.”

Recreation and Leisure - Calling all adults and young adults who are seeking adventure and sporting activities!

Living Skills Center is a central data base that provides links to a variety of organizations and institutions for persons with disabilities.
http://livingskillscenter.org/Links.html

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program

Wow! Now this is an exciting program and excellent opportunity for those in the San Francisco Bay area. Below is their mission statement retrieved March 4, 2009 from
http://www.borp.org/

Our Mission
"Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreation programs. At BORP, we believe that sports and recreation provide a path to greater achievement to which all people should have access, and we continually strive to make this a reality."

Here is a sampling of their cutting-edge programs

Adult Programs http://www.borp.org/programs/index.php

• Adaptive Cycling
• Goalball
• Power Scoccer
• Wheelchair Basketball

Youth Sports http://www.borp.org/programs/Youth_Sports.php

• Field and track
• Basketball
• Wheelchair basketball
• Benefits bosted
• independence
• teamwork
• strength
• goals
• friends
• traveling
• learning and improving

Impact - be sure to access BORP's impact page where you will read their impressive results their programs have on graduation rates and college completion! As well as why do BORP students succeed!
http://www.borp.org/about/Impact.php

Enviornmental Traveling Companions
http://www.etctrips.org/
This site is dedicated to opening up ourdoor adventures from water to the mountains for persons with special needs. On their home page their is a link for a free brochure in pdf format. I have highlited one of my favorite adventure trips that I am pleased to see they offer to our friends with special needs!
White water rafting on a number of major rivers. For example The South Fork American River, The Rogue River and the Colorado Grand Canyon! An end of the trip quote " a healthy exhaustion was on all our faces"! Visit their site for some outstanding pictures. Their pictures tell the whole story!

Reservations and information

To receive more information, to sign up for a trip, or to inquire about structuring a trip to meet the special needs of your group, please contact Davido Crow, ETC's River Program Manager.

Phone:
415-474-7662, ext 15
FAX:
415-474-3919
E-mail:

Write:
ETC, Davido Crow
River Program Manager,
Fort Mason Center
Building C
San Francisco, CA 94123

Addtional links from Environmental Traveling Companions
http://www.etctrips.org/website/links/links.html

Wilderness Inquiry - their mission retrieved March 4, 2009 from
http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/

"Our mission is to make adventure travel accessible to everyone, regardl
mission is to make adventure travel accessible to everyone, regardless of your age, background or ability. Our world class leaders put your safety and enjoyment first. We hope you will join the more than 250,000 people who have paddled and hiked with us since 1978."

This organization has the philosophy of true integration. They bring people together who have the same interest for having a wilderness adventure. They state that if you have a disability and you want to go on a trip where your disabiity is not the focus then they have the trip for you. They plan trips that involve persons with and without disabilities. They treat each person as equals and as a peer. They provide real outdoor adventures for everyone! Below read a couple neat testimonies taken directly from Wilderness Inquiry. Visit their site for some outstanding pictures!


"WI helped break down my belief that I will be sitting in my chair, watching others do what I no longer can do. I was afraid before the trip, that I was going to be the “disabled” needing lots of help. No one on this trip ever made me feel anything like that."

- Nancy D., 50, has paraplegia

"This was my first experience “hanging out” with people with such an array of disabilities...I was a bit uneasy at first...but I grew to love everyone on this trip—by the end of the trip, the disabilities had all but disappeared."

- Kelly B., 34, is nondisabled

http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/register/integrated_adventure.php

Everyone who seeks adventure and sports; the skies the limited with these resources!

Vocational Education and Training resources for students and parents

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities - NICHCY
This site has a wealth of information for pursuing employment, training and a persons rights for full inclusion in the work place.
http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Institute For Community Inclusion
With this link from NICHCY you will find questions and answers regarding the vocational rehabilitation system. Their goal is to provide information that will help persons with disabilities get the services they need to reach their employment goals. This site can be viewed in rich-text (word) for auditory needs and downloaded in PDF version to print or save. An excellent source for learning your rights.
http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=129

This link is the beginning of following your career path. One has to start with a dream and build on that goal. This free download student guide is fun easy to read; it is geared towards young adults planning for their future. It is complete with audio program about young people with disabilities who followed their dreams and who find their own unique success. Their share their advice which is "relish your dreams, delight in your talents, work to achieve who you are and who you will become".
Relish is for more than hot dogs.
http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/st3.pdf


This next link is a another great guide from NICHCY "Starting with Me: A Guide to Person-Centered Planning for Job Seekers" On this fabulous link you will be easily lead through a three stage career development process that incorporates "person centered" planning.
http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=54&type=topic&id=11

Additional Vocational Resources

Helen Keller National Center - New York
http://www.hknc.org/VocRehabMAIN.htm
This center has a full spectrum program for training individuals with low vision, blindness, deaf & blind. They have a community based all inclusive program. When a student comes to HKNC with a specific career aspiration, the vocational team tries to identify community work experiences that will foster that goal. Their program is a person centered approach.
http://www.hknc.org/VocRehabTrainSuppVOCSRVC.htm

One-Stop Toolkit - serving people with disabilities
This website from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) is a consumer - focused system for all citizens with disabilities in Florida. It provides accessible and comprehensive tools and information to grantees who provide services that help individuals with disabilities find and keep good jobs.
http://www.onestoptoolkit.org/downloads/DPN_FACT_SHEET_10-22-08.doc

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
In today's fast growing technology based industry FAAST is an essential resource. Here is their mission retrieved directly from their site "Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology." FAAST has a loan program to lend persons equipment who may not be able to afford to purchase it and or who may want to try a device to see if it will aid them in their job or home life. They have a section called "At Bay" where persons can post devices and equipment they are not using so that others my benefit. A similar site as "E-Bay", only it is free of charges.
http://www.faast.org/

National Federation of the Blind - Voice of the Nation's Blind
http://www.nfb.org
The link below provides resources for working. It will answer the questions "How can I find a job as a person who is blind? Where can I find other blind lawyers, farmers, educators, or entrepreneurs? What kind of technology is available to assist me on the job?"
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Resources.asp?SnID=729201699

From NFB an outstanding mentorship program! Check it out!
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NCME.asp?SnID=729201699

Independent Living Resources

Attention Educators and Parents take a look at these fantastic links for the latest up to date curricular from the Texas School for the Blind; a leader in research and advancement of education for persons living with a visually impaired!

Texas School for the Blind http://www.tsbvi.edu/

This first link provides the roadway into 36 Independent Living Skills Resources

http://www.tsbvi.edu/recc/ils.htm#ils36

Below I have highlighted my “picks” for great links from the list of 36 resources

http://www.tsbvi.edu/recc/ils.htm

This link you will find a curriculum with adaptations for students who are visually impaired to develop independent living skills. There are a multitude of resources for educators and parents embedded within this link.

http://www.tsbvi.edu/publications/il.htm

The next link is geared towards a curriculum for students with visually impairments with multiple disabilities; again, another great link with resources for educators and parents.

http://www.tsbvi.edu/publications/bs.htm

This link provides a manual for independent cooking skills, safety and accessing recipes for the visually impaired.

http://www.tsbvi.edu/bib/independ.htm

And, last but not least a neat book recommended by the Texas school.

Book - Foundations of Education: Instructional Strategies for Teaching Children and Youths with Visual Impairments by A. J. Koenig and M.C. Holbrook (Eds.), - “This chapter Independent Living Skills is devoted to explaining modifications and techniques needed to teach independent living skills to visually impaired students” statement retrieved February 22, 2009 from www.tsbvi.edu/publications

Be sure to check out all the great links the Texas school has to offer for educators, parents and students!

Students are you seeking employment - career planning? Is it your time to explore your options? Do you have a visually impairment and need resources?

Then check out these great resources!
American Foundation for the Blind http://www.afb.org/ This site is easy to navigate, it can be auditory, font size/color change options, it includes great videos, checklists, resume examples, parent/ student info links, mentee/ mentor opportunities and lots of resourceful links. The testimonies are powerful. They demonstrate, how persons who are blind and or have low vision, can pursue the career of their dreams. On the career-connection multimedia page I particularly like the "Dress and Impress" link. This link spotlights "Aaron" a young man applying for a job at a hospital. His scripted interview is neat to read. Also, there are neat videos that one can download for great tips on how to dress and impress for success. This embedded link provides a neat over view for careers for persons who are visually impaired.
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=7&TopicID=269&DocumentID=28
Check this site out for lots of great tips for employment and career planning!

Envision - giving choices and resources to people who are blind or have low vision http://www.envisionus.com/default.asp
Envision is an excellent site. This embedded site link will bring you to their current job opportunities, employment videos and recruitment specialist contact information. http://www.envisionus.com/default.asp?Section=9
Envision has an excellent mission statement
"Our Mission The mission of Envision is to enhance the personal independence of individuals with low vision or blindness through employment and vision rehabilitation".
Another powerful resource for persons with visually impairments seeking employment.

Olmsted Institute of Business & Technology http://www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/StatlerCenter and The Statler Center http://www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/OlmstedInstitute are dedicated to employment training, career planning and placement for persons of all ages with varying degrees of vision loss.
The Statler Center is dedicated to the "hospitality industry". They offer job training and placement for 20 different career paths. http://www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/StatlerCenter/CareersinHospitality
The Olmsted Institute is dedicated to training individuals in areas of business and technology. They have one on one classes in programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Project, FrontPage and Outlook; Internet Explorer, HTML and QuickBooks. Check out this embedded site link for more information.
http://www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/StatlerCenter/CareersinHospitality
Wow! Two more outstanding web sites leading to meaningful employment!

Postsecondary Education - Attention High School Seniors in North East Florida and Northern California!

Check out the Florida Lions Conklin Center for the blind and The Hatlen Center for the Blind in San Pablo California! Both are outstanding post secondary educational opportunities for persons with visually impairments!

The Conklin Center for the Blind
Seniors and other adults with visually impairments who have an additional disability; I have wonderful news to share with you! As an teacher at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind I had the opportunity to visit the Conklin Center. This beautiful, well maintained center is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. During my visit I learned about the intensive one to one classes for a variety of skills such as independent living, budgeting, checkbook management, career skills, residential training, orientation and mobility. I also learned about their vast outreach job coach program. The philosophy that energizes the center is of self sufficiency and independence for all. I was so impressed that if I lived closer I would work at the Conklin Center. Please find below a direct quote from their website stating their mission. Also below are three important links, their website, their "transition" newsletter and their adult services. I sure hope you find these links helpful in planning out your post secondary goals.
"The Conklin Center’s mission is to empower children and adults who are blind and have one or more additional disabilities to develop their potential to be able to obtain competitive employment, live independently and fully participate in community life."

http://www.conklincenter.org/

The Conklin Center's newsletter - Transitions is an excellent source for continuing education. In particular I would like to highlight "Manny" a young man's story (page 4) regarding transition to post secondary education for his future career goals.

http://www.conklincenter.org/documents/NLTR1008.pdf

Adult Services
This link provides a neat over view of the post secondary programs available to adults. These outstanding programs are taught in small groups and or one on one instruction. Students receive a well rounded education that enables them to live independently on their own in the community.

http://www.conklincenter.org/services.html

The Hatlen Center for the Blind
The Hatlen Center for the Blind in Northern California a living skills center of excellence. The center has just opened their doors wider by accepting students from out of state! Check them out!

http://livingskillscenter.org/index.html

Seniors checkout their "high school senior check list" see if you are ready!

http://livingskillscenter.org/transition%20and%20voc.html

Tools For Success Family Conference

The 14th Annual Conference for and about Families of Children with Special Needs - Tools For Success Family Conference will take place February 25, 2009 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. The conference will be held at the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership located at 4019 Boulevard Center Drive Jacksonville Florida 32207. For registration application and information please contact FDLRS/Crown 904-346-4601 x119 or x118 or glendennij@duvalschools.org or contact Kathleen at ryank@fsdb.k12.fl.us and I will send you a flyer and application. This conference is geared towards families with children who have special needs. The topics to be presented are; inclusion, diploma options, government benefits, autism, behavior, assistive technology, strategies for ADHD, transition, special needs planning, mental health, parenting and Individual Education Plans (IEP'S). Please pass this information on to parents and families so they may take advantage of this informative event. Please note this event is FREE!

A new beginning

Wow, my first blog! More to come, Kathleen