Visual Impairments (VI)
A visual impairment is a physical disability
Most of our students have some vision and very few of them require braille instruction
To qualify for the VI Program, the student’s vision with BEST CORRECTION must adversely affect their education
Vision Therapy differs from the program for Students with Visual Impairments (please contact Occupational Therapy)
When determining whether or not a student has a disability related to visual acuity you should consider the following:
Has the school nurse completed a vision screening?
Does the parent/guardian have medical documentation of a disability related to vision?
Is there a current ophthalmologist’s/optometrist’s report on file indicating diagnosis, prognosis, near and distance visual acuity with and without correction? If not, then a copy of the district approved eye report can be obtained from the VI program and should be returned once completed to the VI office for review.
If the diagnosis is stable and the visual acuity is better than partially sighted (20/60 or less in the better eye with best correction) it is likely not a suspected disability related to vision.
If the diagnosis is not stable, or degenerative, and/or the visual acuity falls in the partially sighted range, legally blind range (20/200 or worse in the better eye with best correction, or a reduced visual field no greater than 20 degrees), or blind it make be a suspected disability related to vision.
In order to start the referral process please submit the Low Incidence Referral Form. Please also send the eye report to the VI office.
What we do:
Supports provided by our program are based on the Expanded Core Curriculum and include braille, large print, orientation & mobility, vocational skills, VI specific technology and equipment, etc.
Teachers for students with visual impairments do not teach core curriculum, but instead provide all the supports necessary for a student to have a successful academic experience, or participate fully in the IEP identified school environment.
Orientation & Mobility Services
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists teach student with visual impairments:
Develop an awareness of the body, including body parts, functions and movements
Concept development including, but not limited to, laterality/directionality/quantative, as well as directional and positional
Develop basic skills and spatial awareness including compass directions, landmarks and protective techniques
Teach travel skills for independence in the school as well as the community
Sensory development including maximizing all senses to help students know where they are in their environment and where they want to go
Using the senses in combination with protective techniques and human guide techniques to move safely through indoor and outdoor environments
Using a cane and other devices to walk safely and effectively
Soliciting and/or declining assistance
Finding destination with strategies such as following directions, using landmarks, and compass directions
Teach safe travel skills in an array of settings involving safe street crossing procedures
Problem-solving skills to determine what to do when becoming disoriented or lost
Using public transportation and transit systems
Jill Soule (Lead Teacher)