Students who are blind or who have low vision require unique adaptations for their learning and the classroom environment. The Vision Resource Teacher provides alternate material, assistive technology, and teaching strategies to assist the regular classroom teacher in helping the student access learning and the curriculum. Vision services are accessed through the school-based team.
Who qualifies for this service?
Students qualify for this service, as determined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, if they have one of the following:
- a visual acuity of 6/21 (20/70) or less in the better eye after correction
- a visual field of 20 degrees or less
- any progressive eye disease with a prognosis of becoming one of the above in the next few years
- an uncorrectable visual problem or reduced visual stamina such that the student functions as if their visual acuity is limited to 6/21 (20/70) or less
What are the qualifications of the Teacher of the Visually Impaired?
Vision teachers:
- hold a master’s degree in the education of the visually impaired
- may have orientation and mobility training and/or certification
How is the service provided?
Vision resource teachers:
- provide direct instruction in the areas of the expanded core curriculum:
- sensory efficiency skills
- assistive technology
- orientation and mobility
- braille/compensatory access
- social interactions skills
- independent living skills
- recreation and leisure skills
- self-determination skills
- career and vocational skills
- participate as a member of the student's CBIEP team and contribute to Competency Based Individualized Education goals
- perform functional vision assessments and media learning assessments
- consult with the school-based team regarding program requirements
- interpret opthalmological reports
- make referrals to and collaborate with outside service providers
- collaborate with teachers, parents, other staff regarding students’ learning needs
- consult with outside agencies and act as the direct contact for services from the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired (PRCVI) and (SETBC)
- provide in-service for school staff and students on visual impairment
More information is available from the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired at
https://www.prcvi.org