MSB Outreach Services 

MIRC

The Maryland Instructional Resource Center (MIRC) is a partnership between The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The MIRC provides accessible educational materials and assistance to students throughout the state of Maryland. Services include a large print and braille textbook lending library, braille transcription, tactile media production, technical support, and training to local school systems. The MIRC also coordinates American Printing House (APH) federal quota funds and ordering. Web order is available to school systems at MIRC. For more information, questions, concerns, or compliments please contact MIRC@mdschblind.org.

Infant and Toddler Services

Infant and Toddler (I&T) services are provided to children, ages birth to four years old, who have suspected or diagnosed visual impairments.

The Infant and Toddler services are part of a statewide early intervention program.  A range of services, including family counseling and training, vision services, special instruction, playgroups, social work, therapeutic consultation, and diagnostic evaluations are provided based upon the individual family’s needs.

Services are provided in the most natural environment, which can be in the home, day care, a relative’s home or hospital. I&T services are provided year-round and can even consist of evening and weekend services depending on a family’s needs.  Working in collaboration with the “Family Support Network”, the services provide information, resources, and support to parents throughout the state.

For more information about MSB’s Infant and Toddler services, contact:

Karen Frank

410.444.5000, ext. 1378 | karenf@mdschblind.org

Preschool–21 Services

Outreach services for Preschool through Age 21

The philosophy of The Maryland School for the Blind’s Outreach program for Preschool-21-year-old students is that education for visually impaired students is not confined to a classroom. Our emphasis is to provide a variety of services to help students be as successful and independent as possible in whatever environment they receive their education, as well as at home. Our on-campus and off-campus Outreach services focus on instruction in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum. Services are provided not only during the school day but also evenings, weekends and during the summer. In addition to student-specific services, we also provide on-site and regional consultation, assessment, and training for parents and educational professionals to support student success. Most services are provided free of charge, with the exception of diagnostic assessments, consultations that involve more than 2 visits, and direct instruction.

Short Course Programs

Due to their unique needs, blind and low vision students often require deliberate instruction in skill areas beyond the core curriculum that are crucial for success in life. 

Because it is difficult to address these needs in a typical academic school day, MSB offers short course programs to students (1st-12th grade) monthly on weekends throughout the school year and during the summer to promote skill development in the nine areas of the ECC.  During the school year for 2023 we will be focusing on one are of the ECC a month.  Our short courses are taught by highly trained and highly qualified MSB staff as well as staff from county vision programs around the state and other organizations that provide services to the visually impaired population.

For more information about the MSB Statewide Outreach Service, contact:

Diane Colburn at dcolburn@mdschblind.org

Director of Outreach Services