Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

This proposal targets two groups:

Blind with additional disabilitiesBlind

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

For the purposes of this project: • Perkins defines blindness as experienced by

individuals who have no sight or limited vision.

• Perkins defines blindness with additional disabilities as experienced by any individuals who have little to no sight or have limited vision with an additional disability including deafblindness.

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

The Proposal• $10 million USD

• Five years

• Two overarching goals:

To promote increased access to education for children who are blind with

additional disabilities

To enhance existing services to children

who are blind

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

The Proposal

Improving skills related to early intervention for early childhood (birth to age 5)

Ensuring quality educational services for school-age children (ages 5-17)

Establishing quality transition services for youth to become productive members of their communities (ages 17-21)

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

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Perkins’ work will benefit various life stages of children who are blind and children who are blind with additional disabilities, including:

Proposal Outcomes• 1,000 families gain new awareness of issues regarding blindness and

blindness with additional disabilities

• 600 Model Program staff trained on “foundations for supporting children who are blind and those with additional disabilities.

• 200-plus teachers/professionals trained and awarded Perkins certificates

• 80 Master Teachers trained and awarded Perkins certificates

• 16 schools/community programs resourced and trained as Model Programs

• 10 Master Trainers qualified to train additional teachers

• 8 Expert Technical Leaders trained as national and regional experts regarding additional disabilities

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Proposal Outcomes

Technical ExpertsIntensive Perkins-Based Practicums

Master TrainersIntensive In-Country Trainings/Perkins-Based Leadership Institute

Model Program StaffSpecialized Trainings from Master Trainers

Professional working with childrenwho are blind, low vision and are blind with additional disabilitiesNational Conferences/Special Topics Seminars

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

National Outcomes• Saudi Arabia becomes a leader in education for children

who are blind and those who are blind with additional disabilities

• Educational leadership in place to ensure continuing improvement

• Stronger educational systems and infrastructure than ever before

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 1

• 200-plus teachers and professionals working in specialized schools and inclusive programs receive trainings and Perkins certificates

• 10 from this group selected as Master Trainers, prepared to train additional teachers

• Comprehensive training modules developed and available as short courses

Develop a cadre of technical experts and national leaders working with children who are blind

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 2

• 8 Expert Technical Leaders identified and trained to serve as national and regional experts

• 16 schools/community programs selected, resourced and trained as Model Programs

• 80 Master Teachers trained and awarded certificates from Perkins, and resources and materials created in Arabic for ongoing professional development

Develop a cadre of technical experts and national leaders working with children who are blind with additional disabilities

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 3

• Working group of national and international experts will develop new program standards and guidelines reflecting best practices in education

• Working group of national and international experts will develop national qualifications and competency standards for teachers of children who are blind with additional disabilities

• National disability guide is developed for Saudi Arabia and updated throughout the life of the project

• Multiple consultations provided to the Ministry of Education

• Study tour to the U.S. for Ministry of Educational professionals

• Online resource forum for teachers established

Enhance and strengthen a nationwide system to deliver quality early intervention, education and transition services for children who are blind with additional disabilities

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 4

• 600 Model Program staff trained on basic foundations for supporting children and families

• 700 professionals exposed to best practices at three national conferences

• Recordings of national conferences made available for those unable to attend

• Education resources and materials created in Arabic

Strengthen capacity through integrated professional training opportunities at varied intensity for teachers and professionals working with children who are blind and those with additional disabilities

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 5

• Tools, aids and technology assessment conducted

• Tools, aids and technology disseminated to Model Programs and schools/programs for children who are blind

• Saudi Technology Expert trained

• Technology, low vision devices and learning tools training to professionals working with children who are blind and staff at Model Programs

Increase access to learning tools, visual aids and assistive technologies by leveraging existing Saudi assets and enduring appropriate training for teachers and professionals working with children who are blind and those with additional disabilities

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia

Approach 6

• Community awareness campaign developed and launched

• Brochures on early identification and resources developed and disseminated

• Four regional conferences for families conducted

• Up to 1,000 families gain increased awareness of issues related to these populations

• Model Program staff prepared as trainers on topics regarding family education and support

• Online resource forum for families established

Engage families and communities to build awareness and better support children who are blind and with additional disabilities outside the classroom

Promoting education for children who are blind, including those with additional disabilities, in Saudi Arabia