The Intermediate District 917 Visually Impaired Program serves students who are who blind/visually impaired ages birth to 21 in early childhood, general education, special education and transition settings throughout District 917-member school districts.  One of the primary roles of a Teacher of the Visually Impaired is to ensure proper placement and program adaptations for visually impaired or blind students.
 The Teacher of the Visually Impaired is part of a learner’s team throughout the screening, assessment, educational planning and programming steps for any students with a visual impairment. The Teacher of the Visually Impaired serves as a resource to all team members including parents, administrators, classroom and resource teachers, and support staff.

Services Provided:

Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired work as part of a multi-disability team and are responsible for conducting assessments to establish eligibility for services and to identify programming needs; making recommendations for and facilitating the use of assistive technology, software and other adaptive materials/ equipment; providing on-going academic adaptations and modifications to make curriculum accessible; advising on environmental adaptations; monitoring students’ work production, study skills and functioning in relation to classroom work and expectations; and, providing inservice to staff.

Direct service is provided by blind/visually impaired-licensed teachers in teaching compensatory skills in areas such as Braille, keyboarding, abacus, and adapted computer technology.  Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructors provide training in community travel skills.

Adapted materials and equipment are provided to the needs of a student with a visual impairment.

For further information contact Assistant Director Kitri Kyllo at 952-707-3091