The Mississippi School for the Blind is fully accredited by AdvanceEd/Cognia and provides an elementary and secondary school curriculum (PreK-12) in a positive learning environment.  Our programs are designed to focus on the unique learning needs of children and youth with visual impairments or blindness, including those with additional disabilities.  Coursework is customized according to each student’s individual strengths and needs and taught in a setting that promotes emotional well-being.  In addition, students receive instruction and services unique to those with visual impairments or blindness known as the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) depending on their particular strengths and needs. This includes compensatory skills that help students access the state’s college and career readiness core curriculum, orientation and mobility skills, Braille, social skills, independent living skills, recreational skills, use of assistive technology, self-advocacy skills, and career education so they are adequately prepared for their college or career goals. Additionally, students are provided access to advanced placement and dual credits courses.

Orientation and Mobility

Instruction is provided to students in order to safely navigate the world around them as independently as possible.  Low vision training/support is also provided in the use of optical, non-optical and electronic devices to enhance residual vision to promote access to daily activities and independent travel.

Assistive Technology

The Assistive Technology specialist provides  assessment and instruction to students with visual impairments in Screen reading software, Magnification software, BrailleNote takers, Smart phones & tablets, Optical character recognition software, Internet navigation, Accessing mainstream technology and software, Electronic braille displays, etc.  Training and support is also provided for teachers and to families as needed.

Braille

Braille provides a foundation for literacy and learning within and beyond the classroom. Instruction in Braille is provided to students in the Unified English Braille Code ((UEB) whether beginning, intermediate or advanced.   All instructional materials are provided in braille formats. Textbooks may be electronic and accessed using a refreshable braille display or a more traditional embossed book with multiple volumes. Nemeth code is taught for math and science.

• Ann and Friends – Stories for Beginning Braille Readers by Ann Gelles.

Services include but are not limited to:

• Classroom support through both academic, career, and personal achievement
• Parent consultation by appointment
• Responsive services in times of crisis
• Group and/or Individual Counseling
• As your counselor, I promise to listen carefully before speaking, research best practices, and assist students in planning for success.

Click the following link to contact Ms. Thomas:

• Contact the Counselor, Ms. Thomas

Jennifer Hart, Media Librarian

jennifer.hart@msdbk12.org

601.984.8227

Mississippi School for the Blind provides an on-campus library for its students with reading resources for research and academic needs, as well as for leisure reading. These are provided in a variety of media formats. The library provides resources and services for students with visual impairments, as well as staff, parents and professionals. The Accelerated Reader program is coordinated through the MSB Library services as well as the Annual Reading Fair. The MSB library offers a variety of fiction and nonfiction reading materials for students ranging in age from kindergarten through high school in a number of different formats:

Regular and large print books

• Print/braille books (Twin Vision books that combine print, illustrations, and braille, usually picture books)
• Braille books (some EBAE and UEB)
• Un-contracted Braille books (either EBAE or UEB)
• Audio books 
• Descriptive DVDs that are recorded with a narrative description of the visual setting.

Special features:

• Computers
• Braille Embosser
• Special Children Section
• CCTVs
• Accelerated Reader Program
• Annual Reading Fair
• Professional Resource Section
• MSB Historical Archives Room