Educational services for THe visually impaired
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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ESVI staff from left to right, top row: Ashley Lee, Administrative Analyst; Melanie Birthright, Vision Consultant; Christi Dixon, Director; Marsha Holder, Vision Consultant; Evan Beavers, AEM Coordinator. Bottom row: Sharon Niemczyk, Vision Consultant; Paige Dillinger, Vision Consultant; Cynthia White, Vision Consultant; Whitney Musick, Vision Consultant; Stephanie Smith, Vision Consultant.
Who are we?
Who are we?
Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI) is a federal grant program funded through the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit. This program provides services to students who are blind or visually impaired who need additional supports and assistance to enhance opportunities for learning at the local school district.
View Full Website Here: esvi.org
What services do we provide?
What services do we provide?
ESVI services may be accessed by obtaining a current eye medical report on the student and completing a CIRCUIT referral. https://arksped.ade.arkansas.gov/sections/CIRCUIT.html
If the student meets eligibility criteria these services may be provided:
Consultation is offered by trained professionals who are dually certified as Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI) as well as Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
Facilitation in the development of district-level educational program and district “TEAM” for a student who is blind or visually impaired
Recommendations for adaptations and modifications to enhance the student’s opportunities for learning
Recommendations for large print, Braille books or digital materials
Recommendations for educational materials and assistive technology
Assessment, instruction and consultation in the use of recommended low vision devices and Orientation and Mobility
Functional Vision Assessments, Learning Media Assessments (FVA/LMA), Orientation and Mobility Evaluations and Functional Assistive Technology Evaluations
Statewide and regional trainings/professional development
Who do we provide services for?
Who do we provide services for?
ESVI provides services for schools, preschool programs, educational cooperatives, and other educational settings with students (ages 3 to 22 years old) who are blind or visually impaired.
Resources
Resources
To make a referral for ESVI services, visit the above link for CIRCUIT
CLASSROOM ADAPTATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
CLASSROOM ADAPTATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
Physical Environment: Setting up a classroom for students with visual disabilities
Instructional: Making the learning environment accessible to students with visual disabilities
Data & Facts
Data & Facts
There are currently over 700 students who are blind or visually impaired in the state of Arkansas being served in public schools under ESVI.
A single page of text, with no tables or charts or complex components, can expand to 3-5 pages of braille. A page with a complex table, when properly formatted, may expand to more than 30 pages of braille.
Large print books can be produced by taking apart a regular print book and scanning it page per page. They can also be made from a digital copy.
Bookshare.org is a great source for books for students. Students can have an account at home as well as at school.
One-to-one paraprofessionals are there to provide reinforcement of instruction, provide proper safety, assist with material preparation, encourage social interactions with peers, promote self-care, and provide assistance with practice of skills taught in the classroom. They should not be an instructor of materials taught or do all tasks for the student.
Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) should be part of the education for students with blindness or a visual impairment. Access, Community Readiness, and Independent Living are key aspects of a student's life that should be taught explicitly throughout their schooling.
for more information about this program, please contact:
for more information about this program, please contact:
Christi Dixon
ESVI Director
Office: 501-374-5517
Fax: 501-379-8387
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