Our core and Expanded Core Curriculums incorporate braille, technology, orientation and mobility, and so much more…
Welcome to Utah School for the Blind
Our core and Expanded Core Curriculums incorporate braille, technology, orientation and mobility, and so much more…
Hello!
Thank you for stopping by the Utah Schools for the Blind Website! We are thrilled that you are interested in learning more about our outstanding programs and services. We offer services for blind/visually impaired and deaf-blind children and students throughout the state of Utah. All of our services incorporate a strong emphasis on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The nine areas of the ECC offers blind/visually impaired and deaf-blind specialized instruction throughout the school day. The nine areas of the ECC are compensatory skills, vision efficiency skills, technology, independent living skills, social skills, career education, self-advocacy, orientation & mobility, and recreation and leisure. These are areas identified as additional skills that need to be infused throughout the school day specifically for blind/visually impaired and deaf-blind students. USB is all about the Expanded Core Curriculum!
Our service delivery model offers intensive vision instruction for blind or visually impaired infants in a home setting, school age instruction at one of our campus locations, or outreach services provided in a student’s local school environment. In addition to serving blind/visually impaired students USB serves all students identified as deaf-blind in the state of Utah.
USB also offers a residential based transition program (located in Ogden) for high school, post high and college transitioning students with a strong focus on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Students have opportunities to reach their full potential through diverse experiences, special programs and activities designed to enhance intellectual development, self-esteem, self-advocacy, and independence. Blind mentors live with students to provide modeling, guidance, and life experiences to promote successful transitioning to adult living.
Our teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) and teachers of the deaf-blind (TDB) are experts in the field! They all have special education licenses, most with Masters Degrees, and then an Endorsement in either blind/visually impaired or deaf-blind. Utah is the only state in the Nation who employs endorsed TDBs at this time. Our TVIs must pass the Utah Braille Competency Exam or the Braille Praxis Proficiency Exam. We are proud of our teachers and the expertise they bring to every child we serve!
Susan Patten Associate Superintendent of the Blind
Utah School of the Blind
742 Harrison Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 629-4715 susanp@usdb.org
USB offers a wide variety of enrichment programs throughout the year for blind or visually impaired students throughout the state which focus on ECC activities. Programs include ECC short term academies, online academies, weekend short programs, athletics, study abroad opportunities, summer camps, and White Cane Day. We are constantly looking at how we can provide opportunities to teach the ECC and create independence for students statewide.
At USB we want all students to be prepared for an adult life that is productive, independent, and full of opportunities. Our goal is to improve our student’s lives and also the lives of their families. Please feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, or to request more information. We’re here to help!
Our Mission
Providing exceptional, research-based, and comprehensive education for children and young adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind in early intervention, outreach, campus, and residential programs.
Our Vision
As a national leader in vision programs and services, USB uses the Expanded Core Curriculum to deliver innovative instruction and experiences to prepare children and young adults of varying ability who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind for a rich and fulfilling adult life.
