Columbia County Schools Visually Impaired Staff
Briana Haire
755-8049
[email protected]
Cindy McCardle
755-8049
[email protected]
Briana Haire
755-8049
[email protected]
Cindy McCardle
755-8049
[email protected]
Exceptional Student Education Eligibility for Students Who Are Visually Impaired:
Students who are visually impaired include the following:
Activities Prior to Referral. Prior to referral for evaluation, the requirements in Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C., must be met.
Procedures for student evaluation:
1. A medical eye examination describing: etiology, diagnosis, treatment regimen, prognosis, near/distance, corrected/uncorrected acuity measures for left eye, right eye and both eyes, measure of field of vision, and recommendations for lighting levels, physical activity, aids, or use of glasses, as appropriate. For children birth to five (5) years of age or students who are otherwise unable to be assessed, a medical assessment describing visual functioning shall be documented when standard visual acuities and measure of field of vision are unattainable.
2. If a medical criterion listed in paragraph (4)(a) of this rule is met, then in addition to the provisions of Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C., a comprehensive assessment of skills known to be impacted by visual impairment, shall include, but is not limited to: functional vision evaluation, learning media assessment, and, if appropriate, orientation and mobility assessment.
3. Reevaluation shall occur at least every three (3) years and shall include a minimum of a medical eye examination within the last calendar year, functional vision assessment, learning media assessment, and, if appropriate, any other formal evaluations addressed in the initial evaluation in accordance with Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C. The medical aspect of a reevaluation for students with bilateral anopthalmia may be waived by a written recommendation of a physician.
Criteria for eligibility: A student is eligible for special education and related services if the following medical and educational criteria are met:
1. A visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after best possible correction;
2. A peripheral field so constricted that it affects the student’s ability to function in an educational setting;
3. A progressive loss of vision which may affect the student’s ability to function in an educational setting, not including students who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visual perceptual and/or visual motor difficulties, or,
4. For children birth to five (5) years of age or students who are otherwise unable to be assessed, bilateral lack of central, steady, or maintained fixation of vision with an estimated visual acuity of 20/70 or less after best possible correction; bilateral central scotoma involving the perimacula area (20/80-20/200); bilateral grade III, IV, or V Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP); or documented eye impairment as stated in paragraph (3)(a) of this rule.
Supportive services:
1. Provision of specialized textbooks, learning materials, assessment materials, and equipment; and
2. Cooperative planning with the Division of Blind Services, including parent involvement activities.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1001.42(4)(1), 1003.(3)(a), (b), 1003.55, 1003.57 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1010.305(2), 1003.57, 1011.62(1)(c) FS. History–New 7-1-77, Amended 7-13-83, Formerly 6A-6.3014, Amended 2-12-91, 3-1-08.
Students who are visually impaired include the following:
- A student who is blind, has no vision, or has little potential for using vision.
- A student who has low vision.
- The term visual impairment does not include students who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visual perceptual and/or visual motor difficulties.
Activities Prior to Referral. Prior to referral for evaluation, the requirements in Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C., must be met.
Procedures for student evaluation:
1. A medical eye examination describing: etiology, diagnosis, treatment regimen, prognosis, near/distance, corrected/uncorrected acuity measures for left eye, right eye and both eyes, measure of field of vision, and recommendations for lighting levels, physical activity, aids, or use of glasses, as appropriate. For children birth to five (5) years of age or students who are otherwise unable to be assessed, a medical assessment describing visual functioning shall be documented when standard visual acuities and measure of field of vision are unattainable.
2. If a medical criterion listed in paragraph (4)(a) of this rule is met, then in addition to the provisions of Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C., a comprehensive assessment of skills known to be impacted by visual impairment, shall include, but is not limited to: functional vision evaluation, learning media assessment, and, if appropriate, orientation and mobility assessment.
3. Reevaluation shall occur at least every three (3) years and shall include a minimum of a medical eye examination within the last calendar year, functional vision assessment, learning media assessment, and, if appropriate, any other formal evaluations addressed in the initial evaluation in accordance with Rule 6A-6.0331, F.A.C. The medical aspect of a reevaluation for students with bilateral anopthalmia may be waived by a written recommendation of a physician.
Criteria for eligibility: A student is eligible for special education and related services if the following medical and educational criteria are met:
- A licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist has documented an eye condition that causes an impairment as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. A visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after best possible correction;
2. A peripheral field so constricted that it affects the student’s ability to function in an educational setting;
3. A progressive loss of vision which may affect the student’s ability to function in an educational setting, not including students who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visual perceptual and/or visual motor difficulties, or,
4. For children birth to five (5) years of age or students who are otherwise unable to be assessed, bilateral lack of central, steady, or maintained fixation of vision with an estimated visual acuity of 20/70 or less after best possible correction; bilateral central scotoma involving the perimacula area (20/80-20/200); bilateral grade III, IV, or V Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP); or documented eye impairment as stated in paragraph (3)(a) of this rule.
Supportive services:
- The district shall make available the professional services needed to support the program. This shall include registration of all students who are visually impaired for services from the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired.
- Other support services may include, but are not limited to:
1. Provision of specialized textbooks, learning materials, assessment materials, and equipment; and
2. Cooperative planning with the Division of Blind Services, including parent involvement activities.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1001.42(4)(1), 1003.(3)(a), (b), 1003.55, 1003.57 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1010.305(2), 1003.57, 1011.62(1)(c) FS. History–New 7-1-77, Amended 7-13-83, Formerly 6A-6.3014, Amended 2-12-91, 3-1-08.
The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the Dollywood Foundation have an exciting partnership that expands Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) program to provide young children who are blind and visually impaired with accessible books in audio and print/braille formats!
Audio Books Thanks to the APH/Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Partnership and the support of Penguin Group USA, the Accessible Books website offers a growing collection of audio files of Imagination Library books available as free downloads.
Print/Braille Books Selected Imagination Library books are also available free-of-charge in print/braille format. By enrolling in the Partners Print/Braille Book Program, participating families receive six free print/braille books each year until the child reaches his/her 6th birthday. To be eligible for the program, you or your child must meet the definition of blindness.
APH selects the titles from the current year’s DPIL booklist—those most appropriate for a child with a visual impairment. Print/braille versions are mailed directly to the child’s family.
Apply Now — FREE Print/Braille Books from APH and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partnership!
Is your child a potential braille reader under six years of age? Are you visually impaired or blind and the parent or guardian of a child under six year of age? If you answered yes to either question, apply now for the Partners Print/Braille Book Program! Books are limited and enrollment is on a first come/first serve basis. Complete and submit our application form here.
This free service is made possible by generous donors from across the country. APH welcomes contributions to help defray costs and expand the program, so families with visual impairments and their young children will benefit from this wonderful service. Donate Now!
Audio Books Thanks to the APH/Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Partnership and the support of Penguin Group USA, the Accessible Books website offers a growing collection of audio files of Imagination Library books available as free downloads.
Print/Braille Books Selected Imagination Library books are also available free-of-charge in print/braille format. By enrolling in the Partners Print/Braille Book Program, participating families receive six free print/braille books each year until the child reaches his/her 6th birthday. To be eligible for the program, you or your child must meet the definition of blindness.
APH selects the titles from the current year’s DPIL booklist—those most appropriate for a child with a visual impairment. Print/braille versions are mailed directly to the child’s family.
Apply Now — FREE Print/Braille Books from APH and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Partnership!
Is your child a potential braille reader under six years of age? Are you visually impaired or blind and the parent or guardian of a child under six year of age? If you answered yes to either question, apply now for the Partners Print/Braille Book Program! Books are limited and enrollment is on a first come/first serve basis. Complete and submit our application form here.
This free service is made possible by generous donors from across the country. APH welcomes contributions to help defray costs and expand the program, so families with visual impairments and their young children will benefit from this wonderful service. Donate Now!