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Introduction: This mixed-methods study examined self-determination at a summer sports camp for youths with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Educators of students with visual impairment have reported that the expanded core curriculum should be taught outside of the school day and have reported placing a lower priority on teaching self-determination skills during school hours. Methods: Athletes at a mid-Atlantic sports camp for youths with visual impairments responded to the American Institute for Research (AIR) Self-Determination Scale survey regarding perceptions of their own self-determination across three settings, a questionnaire about their experiences of self-determination during camp, and interviews about their understanding of self-determination at camp. Adult coaches responded to a questionnaire concerning opportunities for athletes to develop self-determination skills. Results: A repeated measures ANOVA on composite scores of AIR Self-Determination Scale across home, school, and camp settings revealed athletes were statistically significant, F(2.13) = 24.24, p <.001. Athletes were more confident in their self-determination skills at camp (M = 26.6, SD = 3.33) compared to home (M = 19.1, SD = 5.76) and school (M = 19.2, SD = 5.21). Athletes reported the camp setting allowed for the development of self-determination skills by fostering positive relationships between coaches and athletes, providing emotional support, and promoting inclusion with respect to visual impairment. Limitations included the small sample size, question comprehension, shortened data collection, busy environment, and nature of the relationship between participants and researchers. Discussion: This research will contribute to literature related to teaching self-determination skills to young people with visual impairments and has implications for classroom learning. Implications for Practitioners: Low student-to-staff ratios, access to adapted sports, options to follow one's interests throughout the day, and goal-setting are aspects of camp that educators can adopt to promote self-determination in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The expanded core curriculum (ECC) refers to the generally accepted nine areas of instruction that children who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) must learn through explicit instruction in order to live independently as adults. Children with visual impairments must experience immersion in the ECC in their daily lives throughout the year rather than only being taught these skills during the school year by teachers of students with visual impairments. Therefore, this research was undertaken to determine whether athletes attending Camp Abilities, a sports camp for children with visual impairments, experienced new ECC skills or practiced previously learned ECC skills and if so, how. Method: Researchers chose to interview 10 athletes from a purposeful sample of 30 children who had previously attended camp. The 10 coaches who worked with these athletes one-on-one participated in focus group discussions at the end of the weeklong camp. In addition, all athletes and coaches attending camp listed their thoughts on posters describing how all athletes attending experienced areas of the ECC. Finally, researchers documented observations of athletes' opportunities to practice ECC content throughout the weeklong program. Researchers transcribed interviews and focus group discussions and reviewed for themes relating to ECC areas that were part of the students' lived experience during camp. Results: Three major conclusions emerged from reviews of the interviews, discussion group transcripts, posters, and observations: (1) athletes and coaches were initially unclear about what the ECC areas were and how the athletes experienced the ECC in their everyday academic and home activities; (2) following clarification of the ECC areas, the athletes came to recognize how they learned and applied ECC skills during the camp experience; and (3) a more structured instructional approach to applying the ECC at camp may further enhance their experiences. Discussion: The youth participants were not able to list and describe all of the ECC areas when interviewed at the end of camp. However, adult participants (coaches) listed most ECC areas and described how athletes experienced the ECC during camp in their focus group discussions. Once researchers clarified ECC areas for athletes, they identified self-determination, recreation and leisure, social interaction, and independent living as the areas of the ECC most often experienced during camp. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners need to pay attention to structured learning of the ECC areas and consider articulating for students which areas overlap in their everyday lives, so that they are fully aware of the multiple skills they are acquiring. Camp Abilities is a functional way for youths with visual impairments to experience all areas of the ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with visual impairments (VI) and their families experience multiple barriers when trying to access physical activity opportunities. These barriers reduce family participation in sports and physical activities and lessen access to the well-known benefits. Basic mobility skills and orientation skills can be a challenge with low vision or no vision, and the professional field of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) can be useful in addressing barriers to physical activity. The purpose of this article is to describe two O&M workshops that were provided within the context of a larger physical activity program for parents of children with VI delivered for participants’ practical ideas and direct experience. This article will discuss detailed program and workshop components, rationales, design, and effective modifications for developing a similar program for children with VI and their families. Previous studies have indicated parent need for this type of hands-on experience and comments from participating parents and their children identifies the effectiveness of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]