Short Course Program

These programs are designed to address the unique educational needs of students with visual impairments currently attending school in their local school districts. The short course program provides intensive short term instruction in areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), such as daily living skills, adaptive technology, or orientation and mobility.

All courses for the 2020-21 school are currently offered as online virtual programming. Descriptions for courses are currently limited as they are under construction. Registration for courses begins with filling out the brief Short Course Interest Form External link opens in new window or tab. .

For question about the courses please contact Scott Smith, Short-Term Programs Coordinator, at ssmith@csb-cde.ca.gov for questions about the registration process. You may begin the process by completing the interest form below.

See the Short Course Program Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Registration

To begin the application process, please complete the Interest Form External link opens in new window or tab. .

Low Vision and Me: Anatomy and Advocacy

Dates: Monday, November 9, 16, 23, 30 and December 7
Time: 3:30pm to 5:00pm PST
(Registration closes October 26, 2020)
Ages: 9-13

Join us to learn all about your eyeballs! This course is designed to be completed via distance learning for students with low vision between the ages of 9-13. Through synchronous discussion and asynchronous activities, students with low vision will learn about the anatomy of the eye, how vision works, and how their functional vision works! They will practice talking about their vision and advocating for themselves in role play with their peers and interview successful professionals with low vision. This week is sure to be filled with memorable experiences while increasing their skills, confidence, and independence accessing their classwork.

Objectives:

  1. Students will learn about the anatomy of the eye and how the brain processes images
  2. Students will learn how their functional vision may vary, be able to identify the accommodations they need, and describe why these are helpful
  3. Students will meet low vision professionals and interview them about their life and success
  4. Students will learn some basics about self-advocating in the classroom and beyond!

Advance Your Braille and Refreshable Braille Skills

Dates: Wednesdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 10, 2021
Time: 3:30pm to 5:00pm PST
(Registration closes January 25, 2021)
Ages: Elementary and Middle School

Do you have Super Powers? Can you read Braille? If the answer is yes, you should come meet other SuperHeroes. CSB is offering a special UEB and BrailleNote Touch Plus virtual Short Course just for you. Students from all over California are invited to meet once a week from 3:30-5:00pm for 6-weeks to develop their Super Powers. Weekly activities include: UEB braille contraction reviews, spelling contests, braille games, and BrailleNote Touch Plus lessons. The course will culminate in a Virtual Braille Bee where participants can put what they've learned to the test. All participants will receive prizes! If this sounds good to you, sign up to celebrate your Braille Super Powers!

iPad Course

Date: March 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and April 1, 2021
(Registration closes March 8, 2021)
Ages: Middle School/High School

Come play games using your iPad with VoiceOver! Through game-based learning, students will learn and reinforce VoiceOver specific skills and explore apps helpful to the VoiceOver user. Through scavenger hunts, murder mysteries, and escape rooms, students will make friendships and connect with peers who are also VoiceOver users.

Pre-requisites:

  • Age range
    • Middle school/high school
  • Technology:
    • iPad with Internet access
  • Headphones that can be used with the iPad Accessibility:
    • Voice Over Users only
  • Skill level:
    • Intermediate
    • Not designed for Advanced VO users.
  • Apps:
    • Seeing AI
    • Zoom
    • Scanner Pro (free version)
    • AIRA
  • Tech skills:
    • Be able to share screen on Zoom with iPad
    • Be able to join Zoom on iPad
    • Be able to:
      • Double tap
      • Swipe left, right

Career Exploration - Building Work Experiences for Your Future

Date: Wednesdays April 21, 28 and May 5, 2021
Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm PST
(Registration closes March 29, 2021)
Ages: 16+

Are you in high school and want to find out how to get ready for work? Please join the CSB Vocation team for a guided trip through work-readiness skills.

  • Learn about the vocation programs at CSB
  • Focus on job-readiness topics, including: communication skills, time management, interview techniques, resume and personal data sheet development, work appropriate behavior, work appropriate hygiene and grooming, self-advocacy, and job exploration
  • Find out how agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation, can help you before and after you graduate

We look forward to informing you about work and answering questions about your future work life.


Summer Academies

If you would like to look at our offerings from last year to get an idea of programming, check out our Summer Academy page.