Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Serving students ages 2-22 who require specialized instruction and support with a variety of visual impairments. A continuum of services is available in Fairfax County Public Schools to eligible students with a visual impairment.

  • Visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye with best correction.
  • A severely restricted field of vision.
  • Visual, not visual perceptual difficulties, for whom significant modifications in the educational program have not been sufficient.
  • Has the student received a vision screening (done by the nurse or clinic aide) at his or her school and what are the results?
  • Is the student already receiving special education services for another disability area?
  • Does the student wear glasses?
  • Has the student ever been evaluated by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? (Call the parents or guardians to request this information.)
  • Is the student wearing a patch over one eye?
  • Is the student rubbing his or her eyes, squinting at the blackboard, or holding reading materials very close (within two inches) to his or her eyes?
  • Is the student falling down on the playground or walking into people or adults in the halls?
  • Is the student constantly losing his place on a page? As a part of the referral and eligibility process for the services for blind and vision impairment, the local screening committee to include a Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TBVI) can request a functional vision assessment to determine:
  • Eligibility or reevaluation services for a student with a visual impairment;
  • Strengths and needs for IEP development and instruction.
  • The functional vision assessment provides information on the educational impact of the student’s vision impairment, including near and distant visual functioning, optical aids, lighting considerations, and visual fields. A learning media assessment can be requested to assess the student’s ability to access and use different learning media in reading and writing. This may include Braille, large print, optical aids, and auditory materials. The functional vision-learning media assessment are used with other assessment tools, such as the eye report, psychological, sociocultural, educational, and information from parents and teachers to determine BVI eligibility. Itinerant Services IEP service time is delivered from a Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TBVI) and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist (if appropriate) in accordance with student IEP. These professionals work with students and school teams in the student’s neighborhood school. They regularly work with the student and collaborate with teachers, staff members, and other related service providers from a variety of general education and special education settings to help students make progress toward their targeted IEP goals. Orientation & Mobility Specialists work with students with visual impairments (if appropriate) to ensure they have access to their surroundings and travel safely in their educational setting. Accessing Services Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired are available in all FCPS schools. School teams collaborate to determine if a student requires Vision Impairment Services. Available services include:
  • Support for school teams and families in the development and implementation of 504 plans, to include evaluation
  • Evaluation for students receiving special education or being evaluated for special education services
  • Ongoing collaboration for students as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Additional Resources Contact Information For more information on services available to students who are blind or visually impaired, contact:
  • Nicole Warwick Senior Manager I, Hearing & Vision Services, Department of Special Services [email protected]
  • Kate Adams Supervisor, Hearing & Vision Services, Department of Special Services [email protected]
  • Department of Hearing and Vision Services 571-423-4860 Assistive Technology Services (ATS) Learn about educational, inclusive, and assistive technology. Includes information accessible educational materials, inclusive and accessible technology tools, augmentative and alternative communication, and our AT ambassadors program. Special Education Instruction Our Special Education Instruction program is designed to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.