Educational Programming

Professional practice should include standards for high-quality instruction as well as ongoing professional development to remain current on best practice. The resources here cover the foundations of the field including the National Agenda, legislation, and access to resources. 

National Agenda

The National Agenda represents a broad consensus on how educational programs must change to meet the needs of students with visual impairments. This page details the National Agenda and provides strategies that TVIs can use to implement the National Agenda at a local level.

Expanded Core Curriculum 

This section provides information, resources, and strategies in teaching all nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum: Compensatory, Sensory Efficiency, Assistive Technology, Independent Living, Social Skills, Orientation & Mobility, Career Education, Recreation & Leisure, and Self Determination. ​

IDEA and Vision

​The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children identified to have disabilities throughout the United States and ensures special education and related services to those children. The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. This page provides more information about IDEA and how it relates to visual impairments. 

Federal Quota Funds

Some students who are eligible for Vision Services will also be eligible to receive Quota Funds. The eligibility criteria for these funds is different than for vision services. If the student is eligible, these funds can be used to obtain materials available from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). This page provides guidelines for quota funds.

Deaf-Blind Child Count

Each December in the United States, the National Center on Deaf-Blindness conducts a deaf-blind report on children identified in each state as deaf-blind. It is the longest running registry of children who are deaf-blind in the world. ​ This page provides information on the annual child count.

State Special Education Agencies

Although similar, each state has its own guidelines for what students are eligible to be identified as a student with a visual impairment. This page contains a list of State Special Education Agencies within the Department of Education.

Schools for the Blind

This page provides a list of schools for the blind throughout the United States. Many of the schools provide both residential and day programs as well as outreach programs. A number also provides excellent resources on blindness and visual impairments. ​

Free Matter for the Blind

If the student is legally blind, remember that he is entitled to send and receive certain materials through the US Postal Service for free. Materials such as textbooks, educational materials, Braille letters, and books on tape from The Library for the Blind may be mailed without postage. The package/envelope must have the words "free matter for the blind" stamped or handwritten on them. 

Resources to Support You in Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

ECC Instructional Resources

On Demand Presentations

Purchase VI Job Posting

Braille Jewelry

Live Presentations & Workshops

Free Membership

Sign up for free membership to access the FREE downloadable handbooks and handouts on the Free Printable pages (Program printables, FVLMA & Service printables, and VI AT printables) along with access to the Goal Bank pages. Simply click on the Log In | Register link in the navigation bar. If you haven't joined yet, you will be prompted to create a password. ​