Learning in Functional Environments (LIFE)

The  Learning in Functional Environments (LIFE) Program serves students with more profound disabilities, in addition to visual impairment. Some of these profound disabilities may include deaf-blindness, intellectual disability, and physical limitations such as cerebral palsy. In addition, many of our LIFE students are in wheelchairs and are medically fragile.

The LIFE program’s goal is to help students develop functional independence, thus improving the quality of life for students and promoting fuller participation at home, school, work and in the community.  

Students are taught skills that include, but are not limited to:

-Self-feeding
-Toilet training
-Mobility and transfer skills
-Recreation/leisure
-Vocational skills
-Communication development   

In addition, students in the LIFE program are exposed to functional academics which include language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Modifications and multi-sensory approaches are designed for each student’s individualized needs as outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in collaboration with the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum and the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).

Community-based activities are scheduled during instructional and/or residential hours such as field trips, shopping and dining out.  Lessons are embedded in these activities and daily routines to provide multiple opportunities for the students to practice target skills.  These and other scheduled activities foster the generalization of learned skills within the community.

For more information about the LIFE program, contact:
Joyce Burwell, Assistant Principal of the LIFE program
410.444.5000 ext. 1397    joyceb@mdschblind.org