This section will incorporate the major areas of service with a description of objectives.
1. Elementary and Secondary Academic Programs. The Academy provides educational services to those students capable of learning through the traditional graded processes. Students participate in academic studies through the Early Childhood Education (ECE), Middle School, and High School programs. Early childhood educators work closely with parents to develop positive and realistic expectations concerning the abilities of each child. The Middle School Program includes grades 4-8. Opportunities are provided to students in career awareness, counseling, music education, adaptive physical education, computer utilization, special media reading instructions, orientation and mobility as well as traditional academic courses. Grades 9-12 constitute the High School Program. A community based program, vocational education, college preparation courses, academic studies in local colleges, transition planning, and opportunities for inclusion in the Bibb County School System are offered to students. A variety of work-study programs, as determined by the Individualized Educational Program, are available to all students.
2.Vocational Education. Entry level skill development includes generalized work skills, safe work habits, and healthy work attitudes. Advanced skill development includes the acquisition of marketable and/or supplementary job skills. Students participate in on-the-job training programs commensurate with the skills they acquired in classes which promote vocational development. In addition to specific training received in classroom areas, students have the opportunity to advance their abilities in technology and industrial arts areas with various materials and processes, as well as visual communication. Courses in general business education and trade and industry are also offered. A community based vocational training program, as well as community based instruction, allow the integration and generalization of classroom skills to the community. In addition to these areas, a career education program is included in the Early Childhood, Middle School provided. This program provides vocational/occupational counseling and work training experience. The program offers job opportunities both on and off campus to the majority of high school students. Please see the established guidelines for details.
3. Program for Multidisabled Students. This program provides education and community experiences for multidisabled students from preschool to young adults. Service delivery centers around domestic, community, leisure, and vocational curricular domains. Communication and functional academic skills are integrated into each domain. Alternative augmentative communication is an important component of many students educational programs. Development of language system is integrated into every aspect of a student s life. Related services are provided which include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation, and adaptive physical education. Emphasis is placed on functional development in the most natural setting. A community based instruction model is utilized to provide students with appropriate skill development in order that maximum participation in present and future family community and vocational settings is achieved. The Academy has forged partnerships with local schools and various agencies to provide comprehensive transition services for students and their various agencies to provide comprehensive transition services for students and their parents.
4. Home Life Program. Children and young adults live in cottage settings and are placed in small family type units by chronological age, ability, and social maturity. Eight separate housing units exist for multidisabled, primary, intermediate, and senior students. The Home Life Program is staffed by houseparents, two houseparent supervisors, and recreation personnel. The Home Life Program is coordinated by the Director of Home Life. There is considerable interface between Academic, Vocational, Recreational, and Work Study Programs. The Home Life Program provides services to parents through workshops and individual counseling.
In 1995 an Independent Living facility was developed on campus for high school juniors and seniors. Only four students per semester are permitted to live in the facility. Students operate independently of the residential program and prepare meals, clean, and generally maintain the facility with limited supervision.
5. Health Services Program. This program is staffed by a consulting medical team, school clinic nurse, a nursing assistant, and two licensed practical nurses. The Health Services Program is an adjunct to the Home Life Program and functions to meet medical and health care needs of visually impaired and multidisabled students.
6. Recreation Program. This aspect of campus life endeavors to provide social, cultural, and recreational enrichment to students. Both on and off campus activities are planned. Special emphasis is given to activities which supplement athletic competition, recreation, and social activities.
7. Staff Development. An extensive formal and informal in-service educational program functions for faculty and support personnel. Traditional graduate level courses leading to degree and certification are routinely offered by the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Mercer University. In addition, staff development for houseparents and instructional aides is offered each year on a renewal basis and throughout the year by consultants and Academy personnel.
Faculty members support services personnel have opportunities to attend conferences and workshops where participation would enhance services to children and young adults who are visually impaired or multidisabled. There is strong support for AER activities and for the Middle Georgia Chapter of Council for Exceptional Children.
In addition, Academy professionals frequently provide materials and instructional workshops for regular and special education personnel throughout the state of Georgia. Administrators and supervisors have assumed leadership roles in planning for visually impaired and multidisabled children of Georgia. Several out-of-state have assumed leadership roles.
8. Pupil Personnel Services. This aspect of service to students includes guidance, counseling, and testing. In addition, psychological services are provided to students on a consultant basis, including annual psycho educational evaluation. Personnel of this department are responsible for processing referrals and admissions, and for coordinating evaluations, staffings, and placing students. The Guidance Program interfaces with the Home Life Program, the Vocational and Transition Programs, the Motivational Wage Work component, and the Early Childhood, Middle School, and Secondary Academic Programs in personal and social counseling. The test coordinator works closely with teachers and houseparents to assess student strengths and weaknesses. Teachers and houseparents, through the leadership of the test coordinator, gather educational data to present to members of placement committees.
9. Special Services. The Georgia Academy for the Blind as an extension of the Georgia Department of Education is unique in its relationship to local education systems. The school is viewed as an alternative, appropriate placement for visually impaired and multidisabled children and young adults who can benefit from the variety of services available. The purpose of the school is to supplement existing services and to provide a total education and home life program when these are not available at the local level. The Academy s relationship with schools and other agencies is based on a spirit of cooperation which provides the most appropriate placement for the persons served.
Beginning in 1996, a counselor was assigned to the Georgia Academy for the Blind by cooperative agreement. Costs are paid by the Georgia Department of Education and Division of Rehabilitation and health facilities are available to Academy students. Programs are planned for individual students in conjunction with parents and vocational rehabilitation counselors.
The Department of Human Resources and the Department of Family and Children Services refer students to the Academy. The Academy maintains a close relationship with local and state agencies when a child is a ward of the state. The Department of Family and Children Services is a helping agency in providing financial and emergency assistance, medical services, and counseling for students whose permanent residence is not Bibb County. The Department of Human Resources Children s Medical Services has provided diagnostic and medical assistance to Academy students. A close relationship is maintained between Children s Medical Services and the Academy Health Services Program for those visually impaired and multidisabled children with orthopedic problems.
Goodwill Industries of Macon has provided occupational/vocational evaluation and work station opportunities for Academy students. Several students who are making the transition from the Academy to the community are employed during the school day.
The Bibb County Department of Human Resources, Mental Health Division, has provided direct services to students as well as staff development to houseparents, teachers, and instructional aides. This Mental Health Division also provides direct services to families.
The Georgia Learning Resources System is a statewide organization which assists with financial arrangements for evaluation of exceptional children. GLRS also provides library resources for professional persons and a continuous update of supplies and materials for teaching exceptional children. GLRS is also helpful in conducting seminars concerning laws, rules, and regulations for Special Education in Georgia.