Professional Practice
By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 8, 2019 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 AgendaThe 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.
LegislationLegislation has impacted the field of visual impairments for many years. Early legislation related to adults. Legislation at the end of the 20th century changed how students with visual impairments were educated. This page lists legislation that has impacted the education of students with visual impairments.
IDEA and VisionThe 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 FundsSome 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 CountEach 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.
Expanded Core CurriculumThis 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.
Free Matter for the BlindIf 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. It is important to remember that these materials must be for the use of someone who is legally blind so be cautious.
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