Program Description
Service to visually impaired students is provided in each elementary, middle and secondary school throughout the district. The Vision Resource teachers work with students who are blind, whose visual acuity is 20/70 or less after correction, who have field deficits of greater than 20 degrees, or a progressive condition which limits access to the curriculum. They provide support for these students in regular classrooms through direct instruction, assessment, consultation, liaison and assistance in modifying and adapting curriculum materials. This is addressed through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Service is on an itinerant basis in the following areas:
- working with school teams to develop a comprehensive IEP
- performing classroom observations and assessments
- providing information regarding vision loss, implications and suggested strategies
- providing in-service on vision loss and related issues
- teaching skills that are unique to students with vision loss, for students with no vision – Braille and all related skills. For student with low vision – ensure that all materials are in an appropriate print size
- teaching self-advocacy skills for independent learning and thinking
- keeping students abreast on current technologies
- liaising with community agencies and support groups
- assisting with program or school transitions
- providing orientation and mobility services
- providing consultative services for students with cortical vision impairment (CVI)
Referral Process
Students are referred through the School-Based Team. Information from an eye doctor should accompany the referral.
