VOC 2 The VOC 2 program at St. Rita School For The Deaf is a high school-aged class of multi-handicapped students. We serve students through the calendar year they turn 21. The purpose of our VOC 2 program is to facilitate students' transition from the school setting to the community setting by teaching necessary life skills defined within the following 6 areas: Functional Academics - skills related to reading, writing, numeration, computation, problem solving and consumerism Communication - finding alternative methods of communication for students to express basic needs or thoughts, enabling them to interact with people who do not know sign language, as well as interpreting services (securing and utilizing) Social Skills - involves manners, relationships, affective development and sexuality Personal Management - encompasses self-care, home-economics, house keeping, clothing selection and care, mobility, safety and community access Recreational Skills - focus on behavior related to individual and group activities Vocational Skills - includes physical skills, work ethics and work experience How do we address the educational needs of these students? Deaf and multi-handicapped learners learn best through visual and hands-on activities. Experiencing reading in the community (ex. Signs, directions, etc.) motivates them to develop reading skills for their own survival. Math skills are learned through money exchange (grocery shopping, restaurant and store purchases, etc.). Social studies and science are learned best by real-life interaction and exposure to community and historical artifacts and events - and science through interaction with the environment.

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