Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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Visual Impairment Service

Find information specific to referrals for VI services, components of vision exams, how to interpret the information in the medical eye report, conducting the FVELMA and other vision specific evaluations. Find guidance on putting the information into the student’s IEP and writing SMART goals. 

Educational Programming

Vision Professionals face complex issues and must work with a variety of students with a range of unique needs. As a TVI, you don't get to choose the student's you serve. Instead, you must continually seek to learn strategies and skills to provide the best support and instruction to all students on your caseload. 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
  • ​Expanded Core Curriculum
  • IDEA and Vision​
  • Federal Quota Funds
  • ​Deaf-Blind Child Count
  • ​State Special Education Agencies
  • ​Schools for the Blind​​
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. ​

Individual Learning Differences

  • Language Development
  • Impact on Development & Learning
  • Psychological Impact
  • SIDPID Strategies 
  • MIMO Strategies 

Referrals ​

When a parent, caregiver, teacher, or member of the students educational team has concerns about a student's vision, they may wonder how to obtain vision services from the school. Services for students who are blind or visually impaired are based on a combination of the student's eligibility and the individual needs that particular student has for adaptations to materials and the need for individualized instruction.  Although each state and district may have a slightly different referral process, this is the typical referral process, but always check with your state's Early Intervention Program (birth - 2) or school system (ages 3 - 21). ​ The following pages will guide you through this process. ​
  • Vision Concerns
  • Referral Process
  • Eligibility Guidelines
  • Vision Therapy Controversy
  • ​When a Student Doesn't Qualify

Medical Vision Exams

The first step in determining if a student is in need or is eligible for school based vision services is to obtain a current eye report (within one year). If the child has not yet received an eye exam from an ophthalmologist or optometrist, this will need to be scheduled and conducted prior to proceeding with the referral.  Having a current report is important as children's vision can change as the child grows and cooperativeness during the exam can change. Students in the Vision Program will need to provide copies of updated reports annually or at a minimum every three years to determine ongoing eligibility. Although the medical exam alone does not determine eligibility, the information contained within the medical report will assist the vision professional in understanding the student's vision and the possible implications. Additionally, evaluation and interpretation of the eye report has a direct bearing on how a Teacher of the Visually Impaired conducts assessments to determine areas of need and necessary accommodations. This report also helps the TVI be aware of any changes in acuity, diagnosis or prognosis. ​
  • Medical Professionals
  • Vision Tests & Tools
  • Visual Acuity
  • Lenses​​
  • ​Visual Fields

Functional Vision Learning Media Assessment

In order to determine what services a student needs, a Functional Vision Evaluation and Learning Media Assessment must be conducted. Unlike the medical exam, the FVLMA evaluates how the student uses his or her vision to access information throughout their familiar environment and interact with people and objects in those spaces. This section provides information on the Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessment (FVLMA), including information on what it is, how it is conducted, implications and recommendations as well as guidelines for report writing and examples of how to write the report. The results will indicate what enhancements and adaptations may be helpful to maximize the visual potential for each student. ​​​
  • What is the FVE
  • Interpret the Eye Report
  • Environmental Observations
  • FVE Observations
  • Interviews​​
  • Assessment Kit Materials
  • Oculomotor Skills
  • Near Visual Acuity
  • Print Comparison
  • Distance Acuity
  • Test Visual Fields
  • Vision Skills
  • Learning Media Assessment
  • Reading Rates​​​
  • ​Writing the FVE Report

Additional Evaluations

There are additional vision specific assessments and educational assessments the student may require. These pages provide information on them:
  • ​Clinical Low Vision Evaluation
  • ​Orientation & Mobility Evaluation
  • Educational Assessments​ ​
  • Assistive Technology Assessment

Service Planning

The planning of services, whether for an IFSP, Individualized Education Program (IEP), or Rehabilitation plan includes present level of performance, behavior, need for Assistive Technology, accommodations, and specific goals will be written that address deficits as well as projected needs in some or all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairments. ​​Each student with a disability will have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or in some cases, a 504 Plan. An IEP is a written statement, based on the student's needs. Although the actual document will look different in each state, and even districts within each state, the components of the IEP will be the same. In assisting the educational team in developing IEP for a student who is blind or has a visual impairment, it is important to embed the areas of the expanded core curriculum into the IEP as well as into educational programming. This will look different for students that are following the Standard Core Curriculum as opposed to the Adapted Curriculum. The following links will direct you to pages that will provide you with information on preparing the IEP as well as service delivery.
  • ECC Annual Needs
  • Service Delivery Models
  • Least Restrictive Environment
  • Early Intervention Services​​
  • Students with Multiple Disabilities
  • Student Led IEPs
  • 504 Plans
  • ​Transition Plans

Writing Goals

The following pages contain goals and objectives that will provide a starting point of possible goals and objectives for the student who is blind or visually impaired. Remember these are just a starting point. It is important to make them "SMART" by individualizing them to each student's unique needs. The pages are accessible as part of the free member pages. Simply click on Log In|Register in the navigation bar at the top of the page and follow the directions to register and create your password. Once you log in, you can click on the Account tab in the navigation bar to see all the free member pages and any paid member pages you have purchased access to. ​​​​
  • Writing SMART Goals
  • Blooms Taxonomy​​
  • Compensatory Goals​​
  • Sensory Efficiency Goals
  • Assistive Technology Goals​​
  • Social Skills Goals​​
  • Independent Living Goals​​
  • Recreation & Leisure Goals​​
  • Self Determination Goals​​
  • ​Career & Vocational Goals​​
History of vi
Timeline of Visual Impairments
Biblical Passages 
​Notable People 
Helen Keller
APH Museum
​
Leaders & Legends
History of Braillewriters  
Legislation ​
Visual Impairments
​Structure & Function of the Eye 
Vision Classifications
​Common Vocabulary  
​Common Visual Impairments
​Cortical Visual Impairment
​
Convergence Insufficiency  
Deaf-Blind
Vi organizations & Agencies
Social Etiquette
​VI Organizations
​US Government Agencies
​​Support Networks
​Deaf-Blind Resources
​​​Online Parent Resources
​
Financial Assistance
Vendors
VI book resources
Children's Books
Young Reader Books
Books on Dog Guides
​Teen & Young Adult Books
Non-Fiction Books
Helen Keller Books
​​Parent Resource Books 
Grief and Suffering
VI Professionals
​Become a Vision Professional
Professional Prep Programs
Teacher of Students with VI
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Low Vision Specialist  
Rehabilitation Specialists
CATIS
Paraprofessionals & Braillists ​ ​
Professionalism
​Professional Ethics  
​Professional Development 
​Teacher Standards  
Professional Organizations
Certification Organizations
Awards & Recognition
APH Scholar Program
​Collaboration Strategies
Dealing with Challenges
Instructional Planning
VI Program Handbook
Caseload Analysis  
Itinerant Teacher Tips 
Year at a Glance
Role of Classroom Teacher  
​​Simulation Activities 
Organization & Time Management Strategies
Material Preparation
​
Professional Publications
General VI Resource Books
CVI & MD Resources Books
Braille Resource Books
O&M Resource Books
Early Intervention Resource Books
​Journal Resources
Educational Programming
National Agenda
​
The Expanded Core Curriculum
IDEA and Vision 
​Federal Quota Funds
Deaf-Blind Count
​State SpEd Agencies 
​​Schools for the Blind ​
Individual Learning Differences
Language Development
Impact on Development & Learning
Psychological Impact
Strategies for SIDPID
Strategies for MIMO
referrals
​Vision Concerns 
​Referral Process  
Eligibility Guidelines  
Vision Therapy Controversy  ​
When Student Doesn't Qualify
Medical vision exams
​Medical Professionals
Vision Tests & Tools
​
Visual Acuity
Lenses
Visual Fields
fvlma
​What is the FVE
Interpreting the Eye Report  ​
Environmental Observations

FVLMA Observations
Interviews
Assessment Kit Materials
Oculomotor Skills
Near Vision Acuities
Print Comparisons
Distance Acuity 
​
Test Visual Fields
Vision Skills
Learning Media Assessment
Reading Rates
Writing the FVE Report  ​
additional evaluations
Low Vision Evaluation  ​
Orientation & Mobility Evaluation  
Educational Assessments  
Assistive Technology Assessment
service planning
​​ECC Annual Needs 
Unique Visual Needs
​Accommodations & Modification  ​
Service Delivery Models  
Least Restrictive Environment
Early Interventions Services
​Students with Multiple Disabilities
​Student Led IEP's 
504 Plans
​Transition Plans
writing goals
Writing SMART Goals
Blooms Taxonomy  
Compensatory Goals 
Sensory Efficiency Goals 
Assistive Technology Goals 
Social Skills Goals 
Independent Living Goals 
Recreation & Leisure Goals 
Self Determination Goals 
Career & Vocational Goals ​
compensatory skills
Guiding Principles
​
Functional Skills
Community Based Experiences  ​
​​Concepts to Teach ​
Organization & Study Skills ​​
Time Management  ​​
​
​​​Virtual Instruction
​Movies & Assemblies
Lectures & Instruction
Board Work (Chalk, White, etc.)
​​Daily Schedule 
Morning Meeting 
Weather Check 
Dramatic Play 
Blocks 

Numbers & Counting
Cranmer Abacus Instruction
Algebra
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Measurement & Data ​
Early Literacy Experiences  ​
​Create Tactual Books

Reading Instruction
​Reading Efficiency ​​
Science Adaptations 
Social Studies Adaptations
​Accessible Educational Materials
​​Individual Schedules & Communication Cards
Adjust Lighting  
Large Print
Optical Devices for Near 
Optical Devices for Distance 
Optical Device Use ​​
​Photocopying
Font Legibility
Increase Contrast
Pictures & Worksheets 
Keyboarding ​Instruction
Word Processing and Shortcuts
​Navigate Computer w/o a Mouse
Braille Code
Braille Instruction 
​Braille Instruction Materials
Writing Braille  
​Summer Reading (braille)
Signature & Handwriting ​​
Nemeth Braille Code
​
Tactile Graphics Guidelines
Creating Tactile Graphics
​Tactile Graphics Instruction
​Teacher Made Materials 
​Labeling System
assistive technology
Overview of Assistive Technology
​
VI AT Resources
​
Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
​
Video Magnifiers  
​Video Magnifier Instruction 
​
Screen Enlargement & Readers 
​Low/Med. Tech Tactual Devices
​​​​Notetaker Instruction 
Braillewriter Repair
Tactile Graphics Technology
Braille Technology
​
Auditory Access Devices 
​Accessing Audio Books
​
​iPads as Instructional Tools
Making iOS Device Accessible
iOS Accessibility Resources
VoiceOver
Apps for VI
​​​Note Taking apps
​Apps for Accessing Books
Identification Apps
​​Navigation & Location Apps
​Braille Apps
​​​Magnifier Apps
Sound Making Apps
​Cause & Effect Apps
Vision Skills Apps
Apps for Early Learning
Read to Me Story Apps
Apps for Communication
Android Apps for VI  ​​​
sensory efficiency
Sensory Input
​
​Encourage Use of Vision
​​Sensory Area & Rooms
​Lightbox Use
​
Sensory Activities for Students with Multiple Disabilities
Sensory Tables
Visual Efficiency Skills 
Visual Attend and Scan Activities
Visual Tracking Activities
​Visual Discrimination Activities
Visual Motor Activities
Tactual Readiness
Developing Skillful Hands
Auditory Readiness  
​​Listening Skill Instruction
independent living
Responsibility & Independence
​
General Home Safety  
Mealtime Independence
Eating Adaptions
Bathroom Adaptations
​
Dressing & Clothing Management
Clothing Management
Medication Adaptations
​Kitchen Adaptations
Food Preparation   
Recipe Activities

Hygiene & Grooming
​
​Money
Housekeeping  ​
orientation & Mobility
​Transition Between Activities
Proper Guide Techniques 
Orienting Student to Environment
Mobility Skills
Travel  
Dog Guides
​​School Campus Adaptations
Classroom Design Tips
career education
Classroom Jobs
​Career & Vocational  ​
Prepare for College & Career
​
Career Exploration
social skills
​Non-Verbal Communication  
Social Interactions  
Self Concept
Icebreakers & Mixers
recreation & Leisure
Recreation & Leisure
​Recreation Adaptations  
Recreation Resources
​
Playground Adaptations
​VI Sports Associations
Camps for VI
Learn to Play
Art Adaptations
Art Materials
Music
Music & Movement
Dance
​Card and Board Games 
Transcribe Playing Cards
Summer Outdoor Activities
​
Rainy Day Activities  ​
self determination
Self Determination Skills  ​
Thank you for visiting!
The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide all persons involved in education students who are blind or visually impaired with the necessary resources to help each student become successful members of their communities and to equip those in the visual impairment field with resources to meet the wide range of needs of the students they serve. ​
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  • Home
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • FAQs
    • User Agreement
  • VI Store & Gifts
    • VI Gift Shop >
      • Braille Necklaces
      • VI Shirts
      • Badge Holders
      • VI Drinkware
      • Vision Bags & Totes
      • Braille Greeting Cards
      • Keyrings/Zipper Pulls/White Cane Tags
      • Ornaments
    • ECC Instructional Resources >
      • TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle
      • TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC
      • Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheets
      • Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency
      • Task Box Activities
      • Vocabulary Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Purchase Recorded Presentations >
      • Presentation Complete Set of 16
      • Foundations of Teaching the ECC
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategies & Tips
      • Strategies & Activities for SIDPID
      • Strategies & Activities for MIMO
      • Job Tasks for Jobs, Career & Life
      • Strategies & Activities for Standard Course of Study
      • Accommodations for BLVI
      • Accessible Content for BLVI
      • Using Themes to Teach the ECC
      • Tips for Being a Physically Fit TVI
      • Conducting a FVLMA
      • Developing SMARTER Goals
      • Determining Service Intensity Using the VISSIT
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • The Art of Teaching the ECC
      • Activities to Teach the ECC
    • Job Postings
    • Product Support
  • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • TVI, Greene Co., Ohio
    • TVI or Dual TVI/COMS, North Carolina
  • Articles
  • Paid Member Pages
  • Member Pages