The Visually Impaired (VI) department provides services to students with visual impairments who meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the state of Florida, Department of Education (FLDOE). Our teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) travel to the students’ schools and provide special education services as documented on their Individual Education Plan (IEP). 

How do students become eligible for Visually Impaired Services? 

In order to be eligible for Visual Impaired, students must meet both sets of criteria:

Medical  

• • • Visual impairment, even with the best correction that impedes the students access to print. 
    • A restrictive visual field  
    • Progressive vision loss 
    • Impact of the visual impairment 

Academics 

• • • Communication 
    • Orientation and Mobility 
    • Independent Living Skills 
    • Career Education 
    • Social Skills 
    • Use of assistive technology 

Physicians Report of Eye Examination

What services are provided? 

• Services are determined by an IEP team, which includes a teacher of the visually impaired.
• Services are determined based on all available data 
• Services include, but are not limited to: 
  • Instruction in Braille, if appropriate 
  • Instruction in the use of accessibility tools 
  • Instruction in Independent Functioning 
  • Instruction in Orientation and Mobility, if appropriate 
  • Consultation/Collaboration with school-based staff and/or students 

Who do we serve? 

The VI team provides services to students who meet state eligibility criteria for visually impairments. In order to be eligible, a student must have an eye report from a doctor stating that the student has low vision, a progressive vision loss or is blind. In addition to the medical information, the student requires special education services in order to access their curriculum, access their school campus and/or instruction in the Expanded Core Competencies. 

How often is student reevaluated? 

• A re-evaluation must be completed every 3 years and must include the following assessments. 
  • medical eye examination within the last calendar year 
  • functional vision 
  • learning media 
  • expanded core competencies 
  • orientation and mobility, if applicable  

Once the assessments are completed, an IEP team reviews all data to confirm eligibility and design appropriate educational programming.