• Use Braille, large print, or screen reader technology to provide instructions or short stories related to gardening

• Use tactile identifiers, either Braille or objects, to label garden beds, pots, or storage shelves.

• Use a garden theme when providing instruction in Braille, use of CCTV, screen-readers, or computer use

• Explore technology that might be helpful in the garden, such as a magnifier, tactile markers, or bump-dots

• Incorporate group work with support to help students learn how to:

  • identify themselves

  • request identification of other group members

  • take turns

  • work together

• Explore age-appropriate gardening activities

• Use the gardening area to reinforce O&M concepts including directionality (left, right, front, behind, under), cane use, and learning to create a mental map of an area

• OTPs should consult with an O&M instructor to ensure they are consistent with their recommendations and language

(For younger grades or those with developmental delay please also refer to the preschool age recommendations)

• Touch

  • create games that require students to identify tools, leaves, or other garden related objects by feel

  • Use a blindfold for sighted students

• Hearing

  • combine O&M technique and sensory efficiency by playing “hide and seek” in the garden

• Taste

  • try different produce based on the season

• Smell

  • explore different spices and herbs

  • try to identify by smell

• Sight

  • facilitate use of remaining vision to learn about parts of a plant, identify different colors, and develop visual references they can use for mobility or object identification

• Proprioception

  • this sense is not commonly included in ECC information

  • OTPs are particularly helpful in identifying students who need proprioceptive input for processing and regulation, and also identifying when students need to develop this sense to use appropriate force grading during everyday tasks

  • the garden is an excellent place to incorporate heavy work tasks and also tasks that require a gentle touch

• Assign specific jobs within the garden, and rotate students through each job

• Have a school-based farmer’s market to sell or distribute produce harvested

  • this can be as simple as dividing produce into small containers or bags and delivering to teachers

• Look up recipes using garden produce

• Practice washing and cutting (if appropriate) fruit or vegetables

• Promote self-awareness of gardening skills students can complete independently, and areas with which they need to ask for help or accommodations to complete

• Allow students to engage in problem solving activities

  • for example, if they don’t have all the tools they need, what can they do to compensate?

  • is there a tool available that can be used in a similar way?