Additional Evals & Considerations

Carmen Willings | teachingvisuallyimpaired.com | February 25, 2026

Students with visual impairments often require additional evaluations to fully understand how vision affects their development, learning, and independence. Vision impacts movement, concept development, social interaction, communication, and access to instruction. These additional evaluations help identify strengths, needs, and supports beyond visual functioning alone. This section explains related assessments and considerations that help teams develop comprehensive and appropriate educational plans.

O&M Evaluation

This page explains the purpose of an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) evaluation and how it assesses a student’s ability to safely and independently move through their environment. The evaluation examines skills such as spatial awareness, orientation, route travel, and use of sensory information. Results help determine whether direct O&M instruction is needed. The page also explains how mobility needs may change over time.

Orientation & Mobility Eval

Psychological Impact

This page explains how visual impairment may affect confidence, emotional development, and self-concept. Students may experience frustration, anxiety, or reduced confidence when tasks are visually challenging. Understanding these impacts helps teams provide appropriate support. The page also addresses how positive supports promote independence and resilience.

Psychological Impact

Impact on Development & Learning

This page explains how visual impairment affects early development, concept formation, and access to incidental learning. Students with visual impairments may require direct instruction in areas that sighted peers learn through observation. Vision affects motor development, social learning, and academic skill development. Understanding these impacts helps guide instruction and expectations.

Impact on Development

Educational Assessments

This page explains how visual impairment affects educational testing and assessment results. Standard assessments may not accurately reflect a student’s abilities without appropriate accommodations. The page explains how to interpret results and ensure assessments measure knowledge rather than visual access. It also addresses collaboration with evaluation teams.

Educational Assessment

Language Development

This page explains how visual impairment may affect language development, particularly vocabulary and concept understanding. Students may need direct instruction to connect words with experiences and objects. Visual impairment can affect both expressive and receptive language development. The page also explains how to support language through meaningful experiences and instruction.

Language Development

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The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide educators, families, and professionals with the resources needed to support students who are blind or visually impaired. The goal is to equip those in the visual impairment field with practical tools and instructional guidance that help students develop independence and become successful members of their communities.