Vision
Orientation & Mobility
VISION
Vision services are provided by the District 62 vision staff to students who have a visual impairment and who are determined to be eligible for services through the IEP process. Services may be provided directly to students and vary depending on individualized need. Direct service may include instruction in braille, low vision and visual efficiency skills, self-advocacy, and utilization of low vision tools. Instruction in the areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum such as daily living, career education and sensory efficiency is also provided. Services may also be delivered on a consultative basis. Consult services may include support in areas such as training for staff, adaptation of curriculum, instructional strategies, accommodations, environmental access, emergency plans, observations, test administration, and team meetings.
District 62 provides teachers licensed in education for students who are blind or visually impaired to districts District 62, District 64, and District 207. Vision itinerant teachers work directly with students with varying levels of academic needs. To determine the educational impact of the visual impairment, vision itinerant teachers conduct Functional Vision Assessments (FVA). The completed Functional Vision Assessment guides the team in determining eligibility and appropriate supports for students with vision loss. Vision itinerants also interpret ocular information and explain its educational impact to the IEP team. Collaboration is essential and vision itinerant teachers communicate regularly with students, parents, IEP team members, and medical personnel. Additionally, District 62 vision itinerant teachers familiarize each student’s educational team with student-specific details regarding vision loss and classroom procedural recommendations. Lastly, vision itinerant teachers connect staff, family, and students to outside resources and transition planning.
District 62 schedules and hosts Low Vision Clinics by partnering with the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision. These clinics are an opportunity for students with low vision to experience an evaluation with a low vision optometrist. These specialized optometrists explore and recommend low vision tools such as telescopes, magnifiers, rec-specs, and even sun wear. Parents are present during the evaluation to ask questions and explore options with their son or daughter.
District 62 vision itinerant teachers work closely with school staff throughout the year. Vision itinerants provide ongoing coaching in adapting and modifying materials, adapting school environments, designing instruction, and maximizing student participation in classroom activities. Ongoing student-specific trainings occur throughout the school year as needed. General trainings regarding visual impairments may also be provided to nurses, administrators, and other staff.
ORIENTATION & MOBILITY
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) services are provided to students who have a medically documented visual impairment and are determined to be eligible for services through the IEP process. Services are provided by vision staff from District 62. O&M instruction teaches students who are blind or visually impaired to travel safely and independently in school, community, and residential environments at a developmentally appropriate level.
District 62 Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) provide the opportunity for each student to reach his or her independent travel potential and instruction is provided in the school, residential, and business environments. District 62 instructors teach appropriate tactual, auditory, and/or visual travel safety techniques. Within the school buildings, students learn to travel safely between classrooms, locate common areas and follow emergency procedures. Some students may be taught to travel by cab, bus, train, or paratransit services.
District 62 COMS also provide training in the use of tactile, print, and/or digital maps. They use many tools, including monocular telescopes, magnifiers, computers, white canes, transportation schedules, and maps (tactile, print, and digital). Students make use of apps and extensions for travel, including but not limited to Google Maps, Ventra, Moovit, and Transit.
District 62 COMS work closely with school staff throughout the year and provide ongoing coaching in adapting the classroom and school environments that allow each student to travel as independently as possible. They provide training specific to a student’s mobility needs as well as general trainings to nurses, administrators and other staff on Orientation and Mobility considerations for students with visual impairments.
QUESTIONS?
If you believe a student's vision may be having a negative impact on their education, please feel free to contact us at any time. For further questions regarding if a student should receive a vision screening, observation, or evaluation, please visit the VISION WEBSITE.