• EXCEPTIONALITY: Visual Impairment, VI
    • Students who meet the eligibility of visually impaired (VI) include:
      • students who are blind, have no vision or little potential for using vision
      • students who have low vision
      • students who have a visual impairment after best correction that adversely affects their educational performance
      • or students who have been diagnosed with a progressive condition that will most likely result in a visual impairment or no vision after best correction
    • Students with an eligibility of VI are placed in the least restrictive educational environment that meets their individual needs with supports from a teacher of students with a visual impairment (TVI)
    • Services are determined by the Individual Education Plan Team (IEP Team).  Collier County Public Schools offered two models of service:
      • Consultation Model - students remain in the regular classroom. The itinerant teacher of the visually impaired consults with the student's classroom teacher(s) regarding necessary interventions and accommodations
      • Itinerant/Resource Model - services are provided when students receive instruction in specialized vision skills as part of the school day on an identified schedule in their least restrictive environment. These services may be provided in the child’s classroom or in a separate room on the school campus based on student needs
    • Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training is provided, as necessary, and occurs on the school campus and/or in the neighborhood surrounding the school and community
    • Students who meet the criteria for VI are also provided with instruction in Expanded Core Curriculum

    DISTRICT CONTACT

    Dr. Joy Bonnaig, ESE Coordinator
    (239) 377-1724
    BonnaiJ1@collierschools.com

    INFORMATION & RESOURCES

    ORGANIZATION/RESOURCE HYPERLINK

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION

    Florida Department of Education – Visual Impairment

    The definition, eligibility criteria, and resources for Visual Impairment from the Florida Department of Education.

    Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB)

    FSDB is a fully accredited, tuition-free state public school for eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind.

    Lighthouse of Collier, Center for Blindness & Vision Loss

    Offering programs and services, at no charge, to help the blind and visually impaired become independent in Collier County.

    Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired

    FIMC-VI is a statewide resource center designed to assist schools in obtaining specialized materials for students with visual impairments.

    FamilyConnect

    For Parents of Children with Visual Impairment

    FamilyConnect is a service offered by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) to give parents and other family members of children who are blind or low vision–and professionals who work with them–a supportive place for sharing and finding resources on raising their children from birth to adulthood.

    National Eye Institute

    The mission of the National Eye Institute is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research.

    National Federation of the Blind

    The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans.

    American Foundation for the Blind

    The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired.

    Florida Division of Blind Services

    Our mission is to ensure blind and visually-impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunity to achieve success.