SPECIAL EDUCATION

Regional Project for Low Incidence —
Blind/Visual Impairments & DeafBlind
By Loree Brown

This article is third in a series detailing Special Education services offered by South Central Service Cooperative. Services include the Regional Project for Low Incidence in addition to a Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD), and a lending library, making books, articles, videotapes, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology devices available.

Low Incidence refers to a disability that occurs rarely or in low numbers. Blind/Visual Impairments and DeafBlind are two of the disabilities categorized as low incidence.

Blind/Visual Impairments
Our philosophy is based on the premise that visually impaired children are first of all children, with the same basic needs as all other children. One of the primary concerns of a vision consultant is to assure proper placement and program adaptation for visually impaired or blind students.

The vision consultant will participate as part of the team throughout the screening, assessment, educational planning and programming for any students with a visual impairment. The consultant will serve as a resource to all team members including parents, administrators, classroom and resource teachers, and support staff.

Who are the Region 9 vision consultants?

• Kelly Kauss
  507-389-1889
  Fax: 507-389-1772

• Kristi Portugue
  507-389-5086
  Fax: 507-389-1772

• Cathy Rieber
  507-389-5083
  Fax: 507-389-1772

What services may be provided?

• Instruction in the reading and writing of Braille and/or state and stylus

• Training in assistive technology for the visually impaired, including note-taking devices and computer screen reading programs

• Daily living, socialization, supplementary educational and communication skills

• Development and use of residual vision

• Orientation and mobility (travel skills)

What materials and resources may be available?

• Educational materials in Braille, large print or on tape

• Specialized instructional materials and adaptive equipment

• Training in the proper use and care of equipment

• Provide resources, information, and materials to teachers and parents

• Assist in the coordination of interaction between agencies

• Serve as an Individual Education Program (IEP) member to help develop appropriate and realistic goals and objectives

What is DeafBlind?
Other terms that have been used include dual sensory impairment, hearing and vision loss, concomitant hearing and vision loss and hard of hearing/visually impaired. The term, stated in the The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) refers to a continuum from hard of hearing to complete deafness and visually impaired to totally blind. Very few people are completely deaf and completely blind. Many students with deafblindness have additional disabilities. To qualify there must be verification that the student meets criteria for visual impairment and deaf/hard of hearing.

Kristi Portugue is the DeafBlind Consultant, 507-389-5086, Fax: 507-389-1772.
You will find more resources on our website: www.mnscsc.org — click on Special Education.