REFERRAL PROCESS FOR VISION SERVICES
By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Revised May 5, 2017 Having taught students with visual impairments in North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia, I am aware that it is important to keep in mind that each state and/or agency may have different eligibility guidelines or criteria. The following is the typical sequence to follow when a student is going through the initial referral process. STEP 1:Parents/Caregivers, School Nurse, Teachers or Therapists have concerns about a child’s use of vision. Sometimes, the student may identify that they are having a difficult time seeing. Either way, identifying concerns is the starting point of the referral process.
STEP 2:In order to determine if the student meets the criteria for eligibility, the school or agency must receive a current (within one year) eye report from the child's optometrist or ophthalmologist. A school vision screening is not adequate information to determine eligibility as it must be obtained from an eye doctor. If the parents/caregivers have not already done so, they must schedule an appointment with an Optometrist or ophthalmologist to evaluate the child’s vision. It is critical to have current information as the student's vision can change as well as their cooperation with the evaluation.
(For students with Cortical Visual Impairment, a report from a neurologist diagnosing the student with CVI is also permissible.) STEP 3:Once the eye report is obtained, the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) will review the Eye Report. The TVI will note the acuity, visual field loss if any, the diagnosis and also the prognosis. If the student does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the state in which they are served for school based vision services, the referral will stop. However, if the team has concerns about the student's use of vision, the TVI may still provide a consultation to explain the eye report and identify accommodations that would minimize the negative impact of reduced visual functioning. If the student meets or is suspected to meet the eligibility criteria, the referral process will continue.
STEP 4:If the student meets the eligibility criteria, the Parents/Caregivers must sign permission for a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments to conduct a Functional Vision Evaluation and Learning Media Assessment.
STEP 5:The Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments conducts the Functional Vision Evaluation and Learning Media Assessment. The FVE/LMA will identify how the student's vision loss is negatively impacting their education and identify what strategies or accommodations could reduce the negative impact. This evaluation will also determine the need for vision services and identify the need for any additional vision specific evaluations.
STEP 6:For infants, toddlers and preschoolers, the team will assess the developmental strengths and needs of the child (required) and the priorities, resources and needed supports for the family (optional). Services necessary to meet identified child and family needs are specified. Outcomes (goals) to be reached through participation in EI supports and services are also formulated.
OR For school age children, a Clinical Low Vision Evaluation is scheduled for students with low vision for the purpose of determining the need of prescribed low vision devices for near and distance viewing. (It is unlawful for a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments to prescribe low vision devices. These MUST be prescribed by a certified low vision specialist.) Note: It typically takes weeks to months to receive a Low Vision Evaluation. For this reason, the evaluation process may continue and the IEP will be amended as needed based on the results of this evaluation. STEP 7:For children who are birth through age 2, an IFSP meeting will be scheduled to discuss the outcome of the evaluation. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a written plan that states child and family outcomes, as identified through the assessment process. It also spells out the services and supports necessary to reach intended outcomes. The initial IFSP is written by a team, including the child’s parents.
OR If the student is 3-21, and in need of school based services, these will be identified on an Individualized Educational Program (IEP).  Referral Process Overview Chart
I created this Referral Process Overview Chart, available for free download on the Printables page, as a visual for the referral process.
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TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
$50.00
Written specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), this book consists of over 400 research-based activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include:
In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites. Unique Concepts within the Units include:
Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multisensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs. Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. Product details Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English 
Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency Grab & Go ECC Supplements
$20.00
This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a supplement to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details: Digital pdf download: 210 pages Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English 
TVI Guide to the ECC and Visual Motor & Magnifier ECC Grab & Go Bundle
$60.00
Buy together at a reduced price! The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), andconsists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussionfor instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include: · Object Characteristic Activities · Quantity & Number Concepts · Time Concept Activities · Environment & Job Awareness Activities · Listening Skills Activities · Reading Foundation Activities · Reading Fluency Activities · Braille Basics Activities · Writing Activities · Tactual Efficiency Activities · Developing Skillful Hands Activities · Visual Efficiency Activities · Optical Device Instruction Activities · Recipe Activities In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites. Unique Concepts within the Units include: · Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more) · Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more) · Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more) · O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more) · Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more) · Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more) · Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit) · Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more) Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multisensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs. Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets: TVI's Guide to the ECC Grab and Go Supplements The Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details: Digital pdf download: 210 pages Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English 
Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & Go Supplement
$25.00
The Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. All are presented in contracted UEB braille. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These fun activities will help students refine their braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, a Duxbury print file is also included should you choose to produce the braille using a braille embosser. Modify as needed for your student, translate, and emboss. Although these word lists and passages were specifically created to document and increase braille reading and writing fluency, they may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf downloads. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download links. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. Product details Digital pdf download: 327-page print and simulated braille worksheets with corresponding Duxbury files Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English 
TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC + Thematic Braille Fluency & Maintenance Grab & Go Bundle
$65.00
Buy together at a reduced price! The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), and consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include: · Object Characteristic Activities · Quantity & Number Concepts · Time Concept Activities · Environment & Job Awareness Activities · Listening Skills Activities · Reading Foundation Activities · Reading Fluency Activities · Braille Basics Activities · Writing Activities · Tactual Efficiency Activities · Developing Skillful Hands Activities · Visual Efficiency Activities · Optical Device Instruction Activities · Recipe Activities In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites. Unique Concepts within the Units include: · Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more) · Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more) · Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more) · O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more) · Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more) · Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more) · Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit) · Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more) Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multi-sensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs. TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & go Supplement The Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. All are presented in contracted UEB braille. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These fun activities will help students refine their braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, a Duxbury print file is also included should you choose to produce the braille using a braille embosser. Modify as needed for your student, translate, and emboss. Although these word lists and passages were specifically created to document and increase braille reading and writing fluency, they may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf downloads. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download links. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. Product details Digital pdf download: 327-page print and simulated braille worksheets with corresponding Duxbury files Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. 
TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC + Braille Fluency Worksheets + Visual Efficiency Bundle
$75.00
Buy together at a reduced price! The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), and consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include: · Object Characteristic Activities · Quantity & Number Concepts · Time Concept Activities · Environment & Job Awareness Activities · Listening Skills Activities · Reading Foundation Activities · Reading Fluency Activities · Braille Basics Activities · Writing Activities · Tactual Efficiency Activities · Developing Skillful Hands Activities · Visual Efficiency Activities · Optical Device Instruction Activities · Recipe Activities In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites. Unique Concepts within the Units include: · Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more) · Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more) · Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more) · O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more) · Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more) · Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more) · Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit) · Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more) Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multi-sensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs. TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets: TVI's Guide to the ECC Grab and Go Supplements The Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details: Digital pdf download: 210 pages Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & go Supplement The Thematic Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. All are presented in contracted UEB braille. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These fun activities will help students refine their braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, a Duxbury print file is also included should you choose to produce the braille using a braille embosser. Modify as needed for your student, translate, and emboss. Although these word lists and passages were specifically created to document and increase braille reading and writing fluency, they may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf downloads. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download links. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. Product details Digital pdf download: 327-page print and simulated braille worksheets with corresponding Duxbury files Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments Author: Carmen Willings Language: English Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. *See each individual book for images from inside each book. |
