Visually Impaired

Welcome to the Hoke County page for services supporting students with visual impairments. Our specialized teachers—Certified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS)—are dedicated to ensuring that students with vision loss can access the curriculum, navigate their environment, and develop the skills for lifelong independence and success.

Our team consists of highly trained professionals who work collaboratively to address the unique needs of each student.

Certified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs)
A TVI is a licensed special education teacher with specialized training in vision loss. They are the primary provider of academic support and help students develop essential skills, including:

• Compensatory Skills: Teaching the use of tactile, auditory, and visual efficiency skills needed to access the core curriculum (e.g., braille, keyboarding, organizational skills).
• Braille Instruction: Providing direct, systematic instruction in reading and writing braille for students who are blind or have low vision where braille is determined appropriate.
• Assistive Technology: Evaluating and training students to use specialized tools and software, such as screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA), screen magnification software, braille notetakers, and optical devices.
• Sensory Efficiency: Helping students use their functional vision, along with their hearing, touch, and other senses, to gather information from their environment.
• Concept Development: Supporting the understanding of concepts that sighted students learn incidentally through observation (e.g., color, spatial awareness, community landmarks).
• Social Interaction Skills: Facilitating skills for understanding social cues and interacting with peers effectively.

The team teaches students how to understand their position in space and to travel safely, efficiently, and independently within their environments. Skills include:

• Spatial Concepts: Understanding body parts, positional terms (in/out, front/behind), and environmental layouts.
• Sighted Guide Technique: Learning how to safely use a human guide.
• Cane Skills: Using a long white cane for detection and protection, including specific techniques for indoor and outdoor travel.
• Sensory Development: Using hearing, smell, and touch to gather clues about the environment.
• Independent Travel: Planning and executing routes within the school, home, and community.

The process for accessing services for a visual impairment is guided by state and federal regulations to ensure a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

1. Referral and Medical Eye Report
A student must have a diagnosed visual impairment to be considered for services. The process often begins with a referral from a parent, teacher, or doctor, accompanied by a current medical eye report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. This report is crucial for determining eligibility.

2. Evaluation & Eligibility
A comprehensive evaluation is conducted by the TVI and other team members. This evaluation assesses:

• Functional vision and learning media (how the student best learns—visually, tactilely, or auditorily)
• Academic needs
• Orientation and Mobility needs
• Assistive technology needs

In North Carolina, to be eligible for services as a student with a Visual Impairment (including blindness) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the evaluation must confirm that the impairment, even with correction, adversely affects the student's educational performance and requires specially designed instruction.

3. The IEP Meeting
If the student is found eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team—which includes the parent—will meet. The team develops an IEP that is tailored to the unique needs arising from the visual impairment. This plan includes:

• Present levels of academic and functional performance
• Annual goals (e.g., in braille literacy, O&M, technology use)
• The specific services the student will receive (e.g., direct instruction from the TVI 3 times/week, O&M services 60 minutes/week)
• Accommodations and modifications (e.g., large print, extended time, pre-teaching of concepts)

4. Services & Ongoing Monitoring
The team provide the specialized instruction outlined in the IEP. They work closely with classroom teachers to adapt materials and the learning environment. Progress is monitored regularly, and the IEP team meets annually to review the plan and make any necessary adjustments.

Q: My child has a 20/20 prescription with glasses. Can they still qualify for services?
A: Yes, potentially. Eligibility is not based solely on visual acuity. A student may have a condition affecting their visual field, brain processing (Cortical Visual Impairment/CVI), or visual efficiency that significantly impacts their learning, even with 20/20 acuity. The key is the educational impact.

Q: Does every student with a visual impairment need to learn braille?
A: No. The IEP team, including the TVI and parents, conducts a Learning Media Assessment to determine the primary literacy medium for the student. This could be standard print, large print, braille, auditory strategies, or a combination. Braille is a critical tool for many students who are blind.

Q: What is an Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment?
A: This is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional (often the TVI or a dedicated AT specialist) to determine what tools—from simple magnifiers to sophisticated computers—a student needs to access information and complete their work effectively.

Q: My child's teacher says they can "see just fine" in class. Why are services needed?
A: Students with visual impairments often develop remarkable compensatory skills. A TVI can identify subtle challenges, such as visual fatigue, difficulty with crowded worksheets, or missed non-verbal cues, that may not be immediately obvious but have a cumulative impact on learning.

Q: Where can I find more information and support?
A:

• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Exceptional Children's Division: 
• Governor Morehead School for the Blind (GMS): A statewide resource providing educational support, outreach, and short-term programs for eligible students in NC. https://www.governormorehead.net/ 
• NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB): Provides vocational rehabilitation and other independent living services. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/services-blind 
• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): A leading source of educational and accessible materials. https://www.afb.org/afb100/sponsors/sponsor/american-printing-house-blind
• National Federation of the Blind of North Carolina (NFB-NC): A strong advocacy and support organization. https://www.nfbofnorthcarolina.org/ 

Our goal is to partner with you to ensure your child has the tools and skills to thrive. If you have concerns about your child's vision and its impact on their education, please contact your child's teacher, school administrator, or our district's Exceptional Children's department.