Expanded Core Curriculum

A prominent blind woman was asked, 'what is it that blind people want from society?'. The woman replied, 'The opportunity to be equal and the right to be different'.

(Hatlen, 1997)

boy looking at a tactile book

There is a body of knowledge and skills specific to blind and low vision learners that is not inherently addressed in Te Whariki or The New Zealand Curriculum Framework. This is known as the Expanded Core Curriculum. The Expanded Core Curriculum is a tool that helps learners who are blind and low vision to access and participate in the regular curriculum, as well as develop independence skills. Adopted internationally, the Expanded Core Curriculum is critical to supporting positive learning outcomes. It is complementary to the regular curriculum and does not replace it. Rather, it provides a 'gateway' to the regular curriculum.

The Expanded Core Curriculum covers areas of learning such as:

Communication skills e.g. concept development, tactile communication, e.g. braille
Visual efficiency skills
Physical abilities
Developmental orientation and mobility
Physical education
Social skills
Life skills
Assistive technology
Career and future planning

The Expanded Core Curriculum forms the basis of BLENNZ programmes of teaching and learning.

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