Blind/Visual Impairments

At South Central Service Cooperative we host the itinerant Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired (TBVI) staff that works with students and teams throughout Region 9. Our philosophy is based on the premise that children with visual impairments have the same basic needs as all other children and are capable learners. One of the primary concerns of a TBVI is to ensure proper placement, access and program adaptation for students who are blind/visually impaired.

A licensed TBVI will participate as part of the team throughout the screening, assessment, educational planning, and programming for any students with a qualifying visual impairment. The TBVI will serve as a resource to all team members including parents, administrators, classroom and resource teachers, and support staff. Educational materials in braille, large print or audio formats as well as specialized instructional materials and adaptive equipment are available. The itinerant TBVI travels to the students' assigned schools to provide direct and/or consultative special education services relating to vision loss.

Services

Services are individualized for students based on their educational needs. These services may include Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) skills and others such as:

Instruction in braille reading and writing
Support in assistive technology, including proper use and care of equipment
Daily living, socialization, and communication skills
Development and use of residual vision
Orientation and mobility (travel) skills
Recreation and leisure skills
Career education
Self determination
Provide resources, information, and materials to teachers and parents
Assist in the coordination of interaction between agencies
Serve as an IEP member to help develop appropriate and realistic goals and objectives
Support to families through ECSE facilitators

Eligibility

Students ages 0-22 who have been medically diagnosed as having a visual impairment

-An acuity of20/60 or less in the child's best eye with correction
-A visual field of less than 20 degrees
-A degenerative condition that will cause a significant vision loss, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), glaucoma, juvenile macular degeneration or Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)