Visual Impairment including blindness means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. A teacher certified in working with students with a Visual Impairment is part of the assessment team when evaluating for a Visual Impairment.

Students with visual impairments may:

• need seating accommodations to help them see you or whiteboards, blackboards, overhead displays, etc.

• need to wear glasses, use magnifiers, or use extra lighting for class work

• require large printed handout materials or audio books for reading

• need voice-activated computers or other assistive technology

• need someone to assist in taking notes

• need extra time to get to classes or complete assigned work

• need to go to the school nurse for medication or assistance with visual concerns

• miss class time to see doctors

Visual impairments can be wide ranging, so consider each student's needs individually. Students with visual impairments should be encouraged to participate in all classroom activities, physical education, and extracurricular activities. Make sure your classroom is easy to move around in and free of obstacles. Students with visual impairments may feel self-conscious about their condition. They also might be a target for bullying.

The role of the VI teacher is to provide direct and/or consultative special education services specific to vision loss. Also to provides support to students, teachers, and parents and act as a liaison with community services. Students who receive VI services may also be recommended for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) services as determined individually based on evaluation. Some students may receive Brailled materials depending on the individual needs of the student. A Braille Transcriber is responsible for the preparation of instructional materials for students who require Braille. See below for more information.

Students who receive Visual Impairments Services will receive instruction in areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The ECC refers to additional areas of instruction needed by students with visual impairments because there is no option for incidental learning. The ECC is used as a framework for assessing students, planning individual goals, and providing instruction in areas of need.