The Arizona School for the Blind, located on the Tucson Campus of ASDB, is accredited by the North Central Association and provides quality educational services to students from kindergarten through high school. The three departments of ASB

combine the Arizona State Standards with additional areas needed by our students. The Arizona School for the Blind (ASB) focuses on the unique educational needs of students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities, aged 5 through 22 years.

The Arizona School for the Blind (ASB) is committed to providing quality educational programs through classroom, community, extracurricular and vocational learning environments for students who are blind or visually impaired. ASB students have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential through diverse experiences that enhance intellectual development, self-esteem, self-advocacy and independence. Arizona School for the Blind programs are specialized, student-centered, and focus on partnerships with families and the community to promote a foundation for life-long learning and personal success.

ASB serves students who represent a wide range of cognitive and academic abilities. ASB has academic students who take geometry, biology, chemistry, American History, American Government, English, Literature and other academic subjects traditionally taught in an academic school. ASB also provides instruction and programming for visually impaired students who have additional disabilities, including mild or moderate mental retardation, attention deficit, learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. Multiply disabled students whose needs cannot be met in the traditional academic setting receive instruction in our Life Skills program, a Community-Based Instruction (CBI) model that allows students to learn and practice skills in the environments where they are likely to be used. Vocational Training, Work Education and Transition Planning are also provided. Students in

Standard Academics - Designed for students ages 5 to 22 who are working within two years of the grade level associated with their age. Classes are offered in local school districts and Community College to supplement the ASB program or to prepare students for return to their local school district. The transition goal for these students is University or Community College, vocational training, or competitive employment. It is anticipated that most students in this program will live independently.

Applied Academics- Designed for students ages 5 to 22 who are more than two grade levels below that associated with their age. Components of this curriculum focus on career education, work experience, independent living skills as well as academic subjects. Transition plans for these students include Community College, vocational training, and/or competitive employment with minimal support. It is anticipated that students in this program will live in independent settings or will require intermittent to limited supervision.

Functional Academics - Designed for students ages 5 to 22 who are four to six grade levels below that associated with their age and who need to learn through methods other than traditional classroom instruction. The curriculum focuses on academic, vocational and independent living skills. Students may be taught in a classroom, homelike setting or community, depending upon the individual’s needs and abilities. Transition plans include supported employment or volunteer work. It is anticipated that most students in this program will require living settings with limited to direct supervision.

Intensive Compensatory - Designed for students ages 11 to 22 who are working within two years of the grade level associated with their age. This program is designed to be of short duration, after which the student will return to their public school to complete their academic requirements. The focus of the program is to develop compensatory skills related to visual impairment such as: braille, orientation & mobility, activities of daily living, organizational skills, assistive technology and visual efficiency skills. While students primarily receive intensive instruction in the area of identified need, they may also supplement their program with academic course work.

Life Skills - Designed for students ages 5 to 22 who have visual impairments combined with other disabilities such as hearing impairments (deaf/blind) and /or mild to moderate developmental delays. This curriculum approach is for students who learn with the support of consistent activity routines and meaningful functional activities, but who have difficulty generalizing skills in new situations. Social and emotional development, activities of daily living, communication skills, recreation/leisure activities, vocational exploration and community-based instruction are included in programs for these students. Transition plans include supported employment or adult training programs. It is anticipated that these students will require a living situation with direct supervision.