VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

CONTACT :: Julie Kagy, Consultant
The Visual Impairment Program serves as a resource to local education agencies throughout the state. The Consultant for the Visual Impairment Program is involved with program planning and development for quality education for students with visual impairments.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has endorsed the National Agenda, endeavoring to work toward achieving National Agenda goals within the context of professional associations with children and youths with visual impairments and their families. Please refer to the specific goal of the National Agenda that addresses the desired area of interest.


SPECIFIC GOALS OF THE NATIONAL AGENDA

Goal 1: Referral
Students and their families are referred to an appropriate education program within 30 days of identification of a suspected visual impairment.


Goal 2: Parent Participation
Policies and procedures are implemented to ensure the right of all parents to full participation and equal partnership in the education process.


Goal 3: Personnel Preparation
Universities, with a minimum of one full-time faculty member in the area of visual impairment, prepare a sufficient number of educators of students with visual impairments to meet personnel needs throughout the state.


Goal 4: Provision of Educational Services
Service providers determine appropriate student/teacher caseloads based on the needs of students and require ongoing professional development for all teachers and orientation and mobility instructors.


Goal 5: Array of Services
 Local education programs ensure that all students have access to a full array of placement options.


Goal 6: Assessment
Assessments of students will be conducted, in collaboration with parents, by personnel having expertise in the education of students with visual impairments.


Goal 7: Access to Instructional Materials
Access to developmental and educational services will include an assurance that instructional materials are available to students in the appropriate media and at the same time as their sighted peers.


Goal 8: Core Curricula
Educational and developmental goals, including instruction, will reflect the assessed needs of each student in all areas of academic and disability-specific core curricula.


OTHER RESOURCES

Resources and Contact Information Pertaining to Visual Impairments
Organizations, agencies, schools and businesses serving individuals with visual impairments.

APH Quota Registration 2009 Instructions and Form
(doc, 203kb)