(Slide 1) Visions of Your Future High School and Beyond Erin Foley, M.A., COMS Faith Dunham-Sims, M.A., COMS Image: The Hatlen Center logo

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1 PowerPoint Presentation Outline Presented by Erin Foley, M.A., COMS and Faith Dunham-Sims, M.A., COMS The Hatlen Center for the Blind, a program of Junior Blind (Slide 1) Visions of Your Future High School and Beyond Erin Foley, M.A., COMS Faith Dunham-Sims, M.A., COMS Image: The Hatlen Center logo (Slide 2) The Hatlen Center for the Blind Real life Residential program where students learn the skills to become independent in their apartment and community Classes in Living Skills, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology, Financial Management, Braille and Job Readiness Start to Finish Lessons must be planned and executed all the way through Constant Practice Continual use of the skills they learn in class in their daily lives Individualized, one-on-one training Students choose what they want to learn based on their needs, desires and skill level (Slide 3) What You Need to Know Before You Leave High School Not only must you complete the required course work, but you must also complete any pertinent tasks in order to have a successful transition to secondary education and/or employment. (Slide 4) Areas to Address Department of Rehabilitation SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Financial Management Living Skills Orientation & Mobility Social Skills Pre-Vocational Technology (Slide 5) You will need to become a client of the Department of Rehabilitation before you graduate in order to take advantage of some important benefits. This typically occurs during your sophomore or junior year in high school. Transition services, training, and more...

2 (Slide 6) Supplemental Security Income You can apply for SSI when you turn 18 The process can take months If you are denied, appeal right away Disabled rate versus the full blind rate $2,000 asset limit Understand how your living situation and earned income will affect your benefits db101.org (Slide 7) Financial Management Understand the value of items Typical household bills Experience receiving an allowance Budgeting Money Handling Have a signature (Slide 8) Financial Management cont. Phone skills California ID Simple calculations on a calculator Portable method of taking notes Keyboarding skills Memorize SSN Can alphabetize (Slide 9) Financial Management cont. Time management Organization methods Medical Information Can fold and place a letter in an envelope Operate coin-operated machines Understand basic bank services (Slide 10) Living Skills Cooking Basic food storage and food safety Can open a variety of packages Make simple meals Stir effectively Pour liquids without spilling

3 Use microwave Spread soft foods (Slide 11) Cooking cont. Use spill tray when preparing food Know your kitchen; location and names of items within it Understand a balanced diet (meal planning) Table etiquette Exposure to grocery shopping (Slide 12) Living Skills Cleaning basics Surfaces Dishes Products and their use Trash Make bed daily Keep bedroom organized and tidy Perform regular household chores (Slide 13) Living Skills Care of Clothing Know clothing and shoe sizes Laundry basics Use a washer and dryer Hang clothes on a hanger Fold clothing Put clothing in the appropriate place (Slide 14) Orientation & Mobility It s now up to you Know your learning styles and interests Know where to get mobility services after high school Canes Aids Can give verbal directions to own home, school, etc. (Slide 15) Orientation and Mobility cont. Obtain a DMV CA ID card Certified and know how to use paratransit Take route notes and follow them

4 Has experience seeking public assistance Transportation (Slide 16) Social Skills Social Skills fall into a class of skills also known as soft skills. Good soft skills are a necessity for employability. Help bridge the gap between required and actual hard skill acquisition (Slide 17) Social Skills cont. Personal Social Skills Verbal Actively listen Follow group conversations Initiate, continue, develop, and conclude conversation with others Non-Verbal Aware of personal space Body language (Slide 18) Social Skill cont. Interpersonal Relationships Sensitivity to the needs of others Sharing Requesting sighted assistance Social courtesies Recreational skills/social activities Developing friendships (Slide 19) Interpersonal Relationships cont. Dating Recognition of mutual attraction Recognition of differences in levels of involvement Understand socially appropriate ways to demonstrate affection Meet social obligations Act appropriately as host, hostess or guest Table etiquette (Slide 20) Prevocational Things to start thinking about Lifestyle changes associated with work Reasons for working Appropriate work behaviors and attitudes Getting a job

5 Job applications Resumes Job interviews Agencies and resources (Slide 21) Prevocational cont. Skills needed to perform certain jobs Hard skills Soft skills Exposure to a variety of jobs Informational telephone interviews Visit places of work Volunteer work (Slide 22) Prevocational cont. Other Resources Role models who have vision loss who are employed Research employment related websites DOR career planning Career Connect: (Slide 23) How to be successful in college as an individual with visual impairment You ve studied hard, taken all the tests, got the grades and your diploma and are ready to continue your education but are you truly prepared for college? (Slide 24) What changes between high school and college? Choices are up to you Classes, study time, assignment completion Advocating for yourself Communicating with your teachers Keeping track of your school life Assignments and due dates Your living situation and responsibilities Do you have the skills to live on your own? (Slide 25) What can college do for you? Education Job Monetary gain

6 Self-esteem Something to do Network Self-satisfaction Contribute to society (Slide 26) College Success Curriculum Things you should know as you enter college; an overview Important tips for getting started Working with a DOR counselor Organization Note-taking Accessing print Writing assignments: reports and essays Research Study Tips Test accommodations Financial support Helpful hints: summary Quick list of supplies (Slide 27) Things you should know as you enter college; an overview Types of colleges Community College or JC State College University Private Types of degrees Associate s Degree Bachelor s Degree Masters Degree Doctoral Degree Credential Terminology GE or General Ed Major Minor Transfer Transferable Unit Full load Syllabus Lower division/upper division Prerequisite School Catalog

7 Class schedule Catalog rights (Slide 28) Important Tips for Getting Started Become a client of the Department of Rehabilitation Research colleges and apply Sign up with Disabled Student Services Meet with your Academic/Major Advisor Obtain your class schedule and catalog Become a member of Bookshare, BARD and or Learning Ally (Slide 29) Working with a Department of Rehabilitation Counselor What is expected of you Create an Individualized Plan for Employment and work toward that employment goal Apply for Financial Aid and grants every year Keep your DOR Counselor appraised of your classes and grades / send them transcripts Complete a minimum number of units every semester Complete Annual Reviews at a minimum or meet more often (Slide 30) Working with a Department of Rehabilitation Counselor What your DOR Counselor can do for you: Help pay for tuition and supplies, including books Note: they may not pay all your tuition fees They expect you to go to a Community College first Help pay for other items, such as Transportation Orientation and mobility training on campus Assistive technologies: these may include electronic notetakers, laptops, scanners and other items (Slide 31) Applying to a Community College Complete online application Complete FAFSA & Board of Governors Grant Meet with a counselor (DSPS is best) Arrange for and take assessment tests (do you need accommodations to take the tests?) Complete a school orientation Sign up and turn in verification of disability to DSPS Contact instructors before semester begins (Slide 32) Disabled Students Programs and Services They can help you Complete a school application

8 Sign up for classes Obtain appropriate testing accommodations Advocate for needed accommodations with your professor You need to Supply them with verification of your disability Tell them what accommodations you need to be successful in school (Slide 33) Organization Obtain a folder with pockets for each class to keep loose paperwork together Know how to create folders within folders on assistive technology devices Create an accessible school calendar with all assignments, tests and due dates Label all loose paperwork (Slide 34) Note-Taking Before you start college, know what the best method for you to take notes and access those notes is. If you need equipment, talk to your DOR Counselor Equipment examples: laptop, notetaker, digital recorder, 20/20 pen and lined paper, ipad/tablet/phone (inform your professor you take notes this way) (Slide 35) Accessing Print Determine the best method for you to do this: Using a classmate Asking the professor to you all handouts Utilizing a CCTV Utilizing optical character recognition (OCR) Apps for phone Scanners (Stand-alone unit, computer scanners) (Slide 36) Writing Assignments: Reports and Essays Most assignments will need to be typed these days Many professors will accept them turned in via Some colleges have an online site where all assignments are turned in - you will have to check for accessibility In class essays may need to be completed in a similar way as tests Field Assignments and Observations may need to be completed with a partner and other accommodations (Slide 37) Research A good partner can make the difference Many books and articles required to complete research assignments have been digitized, but not all. Your school library s catalogue and librarian may become your best friend

9 Know what your topic is before you begin your research There are thousands of online, academic journals and databases as well (Slide 38) Study Tips You ve made it through High School, so you should have a good idea of what the best way for you to study is - now you must possess the self -motivation to complete this task independently Alone or in a group? Either way Find a good place to study Organize everything before you begin Hone your technique: listen to audio notes and convert them into text or Braille as desired / review and edit notes / create and utilize flashcards / discuss lectures with classmates (Slide 39) Test Accommodations Generally speaking, you want to ask for the same accommodations you received in high school. Extra time Quiet room Adaptive equipment You will need to be the one to tell DSPS what you want / need to be successful DSPS will then help you communicate your needs to your teachers (Slide 40) Financial Support Yes, your DOR Counselor can help you pay for college, but there are some thing you have to do first Complete the FAFSA every year (this may qualify you for grants and scholarships) Apply for the Board of Governors Grant Attend a Community College first You may still need to contribute toward your education; especially if you want to attend an institution with a higher tuition cost (Slide 41) Orientation and Mobility Many colleges have some sort of accessibility service for around campus; it is generally a golf cart that takes you from location to location You can request O&M training from your DOR Counselor This will be a limited number of hours, so make sure you tell your O&M teacher what you want to learn Be prepared to take route notes Know your learning style and advocate for yourself (Slide 42) Helpful Hints: Summary Plan ahead Order books as soon as possible so they can be converted into an accessible format Learn your way around campus Develop organization systems

10 Communicate your needs Talk with your teachers as soon as possible Have the independent living skills down (Slide 43) Quick List of Supplies Back pack you still need to carry stuff Binders one for each semester in class Labeling system for loose paperwork (Pens / slate and stylus / etcetera) Note taking method and extra supplies as needed (such as paper or memory cards) Laptop / electronic notetaker / digital recorder / pen and paper / tablet (Slide 44) Thank you! Erin Foley efoley@juniorblind.org Faith Dunham-Sims fdunhamsims@juniorblind.org curriculum link on the right side of the page