Transcript: Betsy Belknap

Listen to the advice Betsy Belknap offers to general education teachers about students with visual impairments (time: 1:26).

With the ongoing daily interaction with the general ed. teachers, it works out real well. We work as a team. We discuss upcoming lessons and assignments and how materials can be adapted. We also can talk to each other about any concerns we have, anything we’ve seen going on with the child that we might need to address. I give the teachers information they need, like the accommodations the child might need, their vision needs, and if there’s any other disability or health concerns that they should be aware of. I give them folders and blank work-request forms to make it convenient for them to give me the materials that I need to adapt. I braille or enlarge everything that the regular ed. kids are doing, provide tactile illustrations and maps and models to help enhance their understanding in the regular classroom. I try to get everything prepared ahead of time and get it there so we have it right when we need it. That’s where working closely with the classroom teacher is really, really important. And also during the year, my aides and I provide extra support within the classroom, if needed. If there are any concerns or any hesitation on the part of the general ed. teacher, we want to make sure we make them feel comfortable and address those concerns.