Blind & Low Vision/

Students with Complex Needs

SS1c Special Ed Dept Staff Referral.pdf

Blind & Low Vision Referral

This referral is completed, signed and send to speced@rcdsb.on.ca

An eye report should be included with the referral. If an eye report isn't available, please email Rachel at mckayr@rcdsb.on.ca for guidance.
Please invite Rachel to meetings and case conferences for your students who are blind or have low vision.

Meet Our Itinerant Teacher for Students who are Blind/Low Vision

Rachel McKay

I began working in the RCDSB's Special Education Department in April 2009. In my first twelve years with the RCDSB I had the opportunity to support students with ASD, by working collaboratively with their educators, administrators, families and community partners. In my current role, as the Teacher for Students who are Blind/Low Vision/Complex Needs, I am fortunate to be a part of many amazing teams working with students who are Blind or who have Low Vision, to support their achievement and well being.

Teacher for Blind/Low Vision responsibilities include:

Supporting the provision of accommodations for students with BLV
Writing, teaching, and reporting on IEP goals from the Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with BLV (including braille literacy)
Writing, teaching, and reporting on Assistive Technology IEP goals specific to BLV
Preparing SEA applications specific to BLV
Managing SEA equipment specific to BLV
Performing Functional Vision Assessments and vision consultations
Arranging for Orientation & Mobility assessments and training (safe travelling in the school and community, white cane techniques etc.)
Contributing to school teams supporting students with BLV and complex needs
Obtaining and interpreting eye reports from ophthalmologists
Liaising with families and community agencies
Transition planning for students with BLV
Building capacity by supporting teachers, EAs, and schools serving students with BLV

Note re. Vision Therapy for visual processing issues: You may receive questions from parents if vision therapy has been recommended by their child’s optometrist. School boards in Ontario do not provide vision therapy and it is not covered by OHIP. Some optometrists provide vision therapy privately. Students with a visual processing issue and an otherwise normal eye exam (20/20 vision or can achieve 20/20 vision with glasses) do not meet the criteria for RCDSB low vision services. Recommendations by an optometrist for accommodations at school should be evaluated by the school team and implemented according to their judgment. As always, I'm happy to answer your questions.

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