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Visual Impairments Including Blindness (VI)

“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines “visual impairment including blindness” as an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.” (Intermediate Unit 1, 2022).

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-Eyes water excessively

-Eyes are red, inflamed, or swollen

-Eyes look dull, wrinkled, or cloudy

-Eyes are not aligned

-Clumsiness

-Short attention span

-Blink frequently or squint when viewing things

-Sensitive to light

-Hold objects close to their face

-Poor eye-hand coordination

-Poor academic performance

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Identification Procedures and Service Delivery

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Identification Procedures and Service Delivery

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Introduction to Contemporary Special Education New Horizons mentions, “In most states, vision screenings are recommended for school-age children. During a screening, students typically receive a cursory test of their visual acuity using a Snellen chart” (Smith, et al., 2018, p. 380). The students are also observed by a school nurse and teachers. They observe how the student acts in the classroom and how they perform. “Once a screening identifies possible eye or vision problems the student is then referred for further diagnosis and treatment to an eye specialist” (Smith, et al., 2018, p. 380). They might see an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, or Optician. Most students who are visually impaired receive their education in a regular classroom like all the other students. There are accommodations that take place for these students to learn.

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Presentation- recorded test, descriptive videos, enlarged print, magnification devices, braille

Setting- sit closer to the front of the class, direct lighting, reduced glare, minimized visual distractions, keep walkways open

Response- scribes, voice recorders, recording answers in a booklet, brailler

Scheduling or Timing- extra time, breaks, test across multiple days

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Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptations, or Accommodations

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Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptations, or Accommodations

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Behavior Management- Allow students with visual impairments to choose their seating so they pay attention and stay focused. Since they also have a hard time sitting still, allow them to have fidget toys and participate in class. Allowing them to work in groups can help with their behavior as well. This will allow them to have someone to read directions and make sure they stay focused. You can also provide the student with a way to organize their work, so they complete the task in a timely manner.

Social Strategies- Introduction to Contemporary Special Education New Horizons list tips for promoting positive social interactions. “For the student with low vision or blindness, provide instruction and practice in everyday social conventions (turning toward the speakers), prompt and reinforce students when they display appropriate body language, teach appropriate methods for initiation conversations and activities with others, teacher and monitor appropriate eating etiquette (e.g., chewing with your mouth closed), and explain why improper manner might irritate peers, and provide instruction on nonverbal cues, such as tone of voice, to interpret another person’s emotional state or reaction” (Smith, et al., 2018, p.385).

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This website has a lot of information on Visual Impairment students in North Carolina and how teachers can prepare for visually impaired students. It lists teacher preparation programs and schools, DPI visual impairment resources, Unified English Braille transition timeline, assistive technology, etc. It also lists visual impairment consultants.

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NCAPH has removed LEA allotment for Quota Fund spending. Instead, all LEAs are encouraged to order what is needed to meet the unique needs of a registered student. For questions or concerns, please contact Terri Terrell (NC Ex-Officio Trustee) 984.236.2581 or ncaph@dpi.nc.gov.
http://www.aph.org/federal-quota/ A Guide to Federal Quota Registration - Birth thru 3 A Guide to Federal Quota Registration - Preschool thru Grade 12 A Guide to Federal Quota Registration - Adult NCAPH Order Form NCAPH Repair Form
APH 2023 Legally Blind Registration
Information About Registration Directions on How to Register Students
Webinar: NC APH 2023 Census Password: NCaph#2023
Transcript Important Forms
Low Vision

The EC Division supports LEAs serving students with Visual Impairment by providing access to mobile clinical low vision evaluations. For information on the process, please read the information below:
CLVE Flowchart CLVE Checklist CLVE Intake Form CLVE Device Request Form NC Ophthalmological Summary Template Community Low Vision Center Release CLVE Electronic Notification Form
For information on what to expect during a low vision evaluation, please read the following:
What to expect during a LVE Instruction on LV devices (WVU, CVRP) Position Papers Facilitating Visual Efficiency (CEC-DVI) Low Vision: Access to Print (CEC-DVI)
Assistive Technology-
For more information go to NCDPI AT Sec. 300.105 Assistive technology.
Under IDEA 2004 addressing assistive technology:

(a) Each public agency must ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services, or both, as those terms are defined in Sec. Sec. 300.5 and 300.6, respectively, are made available to a child with a disability if required as a part of the child's--

(1) Special education under Sec. 300.36;

(2) Related services under Sec. 300.34; or

(3) Supplementary aids and services under Sec. Sec. 300.38 and 300.114(a)(2)(ii).

(b) On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased assistive technology devices in a child's home or in other settings is required if the child's IEP Team determines that the child needs access to those devices in order to receive FAPE.
Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairment (Position Paper, CEC-DVI)
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(1), 1412(a)(12)(B)(i) )

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NCAPH has removed LEA allotment for Quota Fund spending. Instead, all LEAs are encouraged to order what is needed to meet the unique needs of a registered student. For questions or concerns, please contact Terri Terrell (NC Ex-Officio Trustee) 984.236.2581 or ncaph@dpi.nc.gov.

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This website offers several programs, services, and resources for educators of visually impaired and blind students.

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This website offers different lessons that teachers can use to meet the needs of students with visual impairments. It teaches them different strategies to use when forming lessons to meet the needs of these students.

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Adapting Materials for Students with Visual Impairments - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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In this lesson, teachers will learn strategies for adapting lesson materials to better meet the needs of students with visual impairments for…

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This website contains information about visual impairments, and it encourages parents to participate in a research study with Duke Child studies. They also provided images and announcements for parents to follow.

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The Pitt County Schools website ( www.pitt.k12.nc.us) is in the process of being updated to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the interim, any website accessibility concerns may be brought via the following, Email: PIO@pitt.k12.nc.us or call: 252.830.4200

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Exceptional Children / Visually Impaired

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The Pitt County Schools website ( www.pitt.k12.nc.us) is in the process of being updated to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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This website offers many resources for parents of children who are blind or visually impaired. It talks about what the organization stands for, how families can connect to support one another, eye condition-specific information, etc.

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The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) understands that information is power. We are committed to connecting parents and guardians of children who are blind or visually impaired to life-changing information, resources, local services, and a vibrant and supportive community.

That's why AFB launched FamilyConnect-which as of July 1, will be stewarded by the American Printing House for the Blind-a free, comprehensive resource of information and support for parents of children who are blind or visually impaired.

Recommended Links from FamilyConnect

FamilyConnect is a website created to give parents of visually impaired children a place to support each other, share stories and concerns, and find resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood.

The "After the Diagnosis" section addresses many common concerns of those who have children recently diagnosed with an eye condition. It provides eye condition-specific information as well as general guidance such as instructing parents on successfully working with a child's medical professionals, adapting the family home, and obtaining helpful products and toys. This section also introduces parents to success stories of those living well with vision loss.

The "Browse by Age" section provides articles on age-specific information on raising a visually impaired child-addressing family relationships and social activities, growth and development, pertinent education issues, assistive technology, and more.

The "Multiple Disabilities" section delivers information to support the learning, communication, and independence of children who are visually impaired and have an additional disability.

Know Your Rights as the Parent of a Visually Impaired Child

The "Know Your Rights" section on the American Foundation for the Blind's website presents information on the United States' current special education law and outlines the assessments and services many children with low vision and blindness are eligible to receive. Additionally, you can find information on early intervention services, accommodations and modifications your child is entitled to, and how to be an effective advocate for your child.

The Cogswell-Macy Act

The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 1120 and in the Senate as S. 2087. AFB and organizations across the blind, deafblind, and deaf communities are working hard to drum up support for these bills so that this legislation can become a reality. The Cogswell-Macy Act would ensure specialized instruction, increase the availability of services and resources, enhance accountability, and increase research into best practices for teaching and evaluating students with visual impairments.

Learn more about the Cogswell-Macy Act by visiting the following links on AFB.org.

For more information about Americans of all ages with vision loss, visit "Statistical Snapshots from the American Foundation for the Blind."

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FamilyConnect | American Foundation for the Blind

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The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) understands that information is power. We are committed to connecting parents and guardians of children who are blind or visually impaired to life-changing information, resources, local services, and a vibrant and supportive community.

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This website was created by UNC School of Social Work, and it provides parents with information about visual impairments and blindness. It also contains different resources, questions, connections, and services.

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Understanding Vision Loss/Visual Impairment

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vision loss occurs when a person's eyesight is not corrected to a "normal" level. Some babies are born without the ability to see and vision loss can occur at any time during a person's lifetime. Vision loss or visual impairment varies greatly and can be caused by many things, including damage to the eye itself or even a problem in the brain. 1

Sight and visual clues are important to a developing baby and vision loss/vision impairment can affect how a child understands and functions in the world. Vision loss/vision impairment can also affect a child's cognitive, emotional, and physical development. 2

Fact Sheets and Frequently Asked Questions

Other Resources

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Services for the Blind provides information to help blind and visually impaired people be more independent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vision Health Initiative (VHI) collaborates with state and national partners in the attempt to create a more effective multilevel network for vision loss prevention and eye health promotion.

The National Federation of the Blind has information and resources to assist those with low vision/vision impairment.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology has created a resource guide entitled Living With Low Vision.

The North Carolina Low Vision Task Force has created a Directory of Vision Services for North Carolina residents.

Advocacy and Social Connections

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

Contact a Resource Specialist at 1-800-852-0042 or FSP.CDR@unc.edu
References

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vision loss occurs when a person's eyesight is not corrected to a "normal" level. Some babies are born without the ability to see and vision loss can occur at any time during a person's lifetime.

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Adapting Materials for Students with Visual Impairments. (2016, October 20). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/adapting-materials-for-students-with-visual-impairments.html.

Educators. Educators | National Federation of the Blind. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://nfb.org/our-community/educators

FamilyConnect. The American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/familyconnect-8160

Keefer, A. (2019, December 6). Characteristics of a visually impaired child. Hello Motherhood. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.hellomotherhood.com/characteristics-of-a-visually-impaired-child-4886241.html

Navigate. FSP. (2014, October 10). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://fsp.unc.edu/node/71

NC DPI. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children/resources-unique-needs/visual-impairments

Smith, Deborah Deutsch & Tyler, Naomi Chowdhuri & Skow, Kimberly Garner. Introduction to Contemporary Special Education New Horizons. Pearson. 2018.

Specialized programs / visually impaired. / Visually Impaired. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.pitt.k12.nc.us/Page/5562

Visual impairment support. Special Education Services. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2022, from https://www.iu1.org/departments/special-education-services/visual-impairment-support