What is Expanded Core Curriculum?

Mar 24

At Vision Nonprofit, we believe every child with low vision or blindness deserves more than just access to education — they deserve the tools to thrive. That’s where the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) comes in.

What is the ECC?

The ECC is a framework that teaches life skills that children with vision impairments may not naturally learn by observing others. These skills are essential for independence, confidence, and success beyond the classroom.

The nine key areas of the ECC include:

Compensatory or Functional Academic Skills — Braille, large print, and technology for learning.
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) — Safe and confident travel with canes, navigation skills, and public transportation.
Social Interaction Skills — Building relationships and understanding social cues.
Independent Living Skills — Managing personal care, cooking, cleaning, and organization.
Recreation and Leisure Skills — Exploring hobbies and activities that foster joy and self-esteem.
Career Education — Preparing for future employment and building workplace readiness.
Assistive Technology — Using specialized tech tools to support learning and independence.
Sensory Efficiency Skills — Strengthening other senses to process and interpret information.
Self-Determination Skills — Developing confidence, decision-making skills, and self-advocacy.

Why does it matter?

Sadly, the ECC is often overlooked in traditional school settings, leaving students without the essential skills they need to lead independent, successful lives. At Vision Nonprofit, we help families understand their rights and ensure their children have access to the resources and technology needed to thrive.

One family’s bold decision

We recently shared a story from Rob, an #AdvocateDad, who made the difficult choice to pull his blind daughter out of public school after the system failed to provide her with the support and ECC instruction she deserved.

"Pulling our daughter wasn’t an act of giving up. It was an act of radical belief in her worth and her rights."

Their decision changed her life — and today, she’s thriving. [Read their inspiring journey here].

Who supports the ECC?

The ECC is widely endorsed by leading organizations including:

The Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB)
The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
Perkins School for the Blind
State education agencies across the country

These endorsements solidify the ECC as the recognized framework for preparing students with visual impairments for success.

A national standard — even if not federal law

While the ECC is not written into federal law, it is the recognized national standard, supported through federally funded programs like APH and state education agencies. It continues to guide best practices for teaching students with visual impairments.

Learn more and explore ECC resources

If you’d like to dive deeper into the Expanded Core Curriculum and how it can support children with visual impairments, here are trusted resources we recommend:

At Vision Nonprofit, we’re committed to supporting families and empowering children to thrive.

Together, we can help kids see beyond limits.

eric hintz

Eric Hintz is a design focused experienced shooter, producer, director, and editor passionate about life and culture. Eric currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his awesome wife Jillian and rambunctious puppy Corbin. In 2005, Eric graduated from the College Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Electronic Media. During his academic career he was a Production Assistant for the Electronic Media Division where he assisted professors and students with media related issues, productions, and technologies. While also working for the UC Presentation Services and Technologies Group assisting in field production and support of streaming media events. In 2004 Eric was selected as the sole recipient for a one year student exchange program, sponsored by Procter & Gamble, that recognized a UC Electronic Media major who exhibited a strong interest in global media industries. The program consisted of a 6 month study at the Ludwig-Maximillians University as well as an internship at Bayerischer Rundfunk, a public broadcasting company, in Munich, Germany. Eric has also worked on, filmed, produced and edited various projects including independent films, music videos, commercials, sporting events, and corporate videos. He just wrapped up a behind the scenes promo piece for 513{eats} and a music video for Switchblade Scarlett - Check out the Recent Work section for more. An important aspect of his life includes family and friends. He also enjoys photography, graphic design, reading, cooking and travel.