FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR THOSE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL

1.       Understands the value of items:

1. Start with concrete experiences (buy gum, etc.)

2. Access a newspaper for prices of different items

3. Comparison shop (identical brands/quantity); different brands/quality

4. Understands store sales; coupons; discount cards (such as Safeway club card)

5. Understands that there are typical household bills (demand for payment for goods or services; due date; late fees and consequences of not paying)

6. Receives a weekly allowance; practices budgeting

2.       Money handling:

1. Making change (next dollar up)

2. Money folding or reliable system for arranging bills in all lighting ( can have all ones)

3. Wallet/hip pack organization (show different types of wallets; labeling in wallets) Velcro wallets with diagonal flap are easiest; wallets that chain to pants for boys are good

4. Coin identification (remove pennies if they are a problem)

5. Has a method of efficiently handling money in public

• Asks for total

• Removes money from wallet in a timely manner

• Counts it; hands it (says “out of $20”)

• Receives change (asks denomination of bills, checks amount of change)

• Moves to side to put change away (arranges money to easily determine denomination)

3.     Has a signature (not an X if possible); carries a signature guide/pen

4.     Phone skills- can independently call a business for information

5.       Has a California ID- need for almost everything

6.       Can do simple calculations on a calculator

7.    Has an accessible, portable method of taking notes (slate & stylus, pen & paper, electronic note-taker, Voice Mate or other type of voice recorder, etc.)

8.     Can use a tape recorder (tone indexing)-for school, for gathering information on the phone, keeping track of things, etc.

9.     Keyboarding skills- for use in printing checks, letter writing, grocery lists, school, printing envelopes and labels, ordering groceries on-line, etc.

10.  Memorizes social security number (or carries in wallet in accessible format)

11.  Alphabetizes- for staying organized with a file box; address book, etc.

12.  Time management- for schedules, being on time, using a calendar, etc.

13.  Organization methods: Basis of success at all levels of curriculum

14.  Medical information: Knows pertinent medical information; has medical insurance card or information and knows how it works; keeps emergency information in his/her wallet; can describe  etiology, prognosis & genetic implications of visual impairment; can describe functional vision

15.  Has a list of emergency numbers in accessible format

16.  Can fold and place a letter in an envelope; put a stamp on a letter

17.  Can operate coin-operated machines

18.  Understands basic bank services (checking and savings accounts)

19.  Understands Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if appropriate

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