PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS OR BLINDNESS PROGRAM PURPOSE: To provide supportive educational services for 3 to 21 year olds with vision impairments and blindness according to IDEA. PROGRAM GOALS: To assess the individual needs of children with visual impairments to ensure implementation of appropriate educational goals and instructional methods to allow them to reach their fullest potential. This may include braille and other compensatory instruction, Orientation and Mobility instruction, optical and non-optical device evaluation and instruction, independent living skills, social skills. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: A child with a vision disability shall have a deficiency in visual acuity and/or visual field and/or visual performance where, even with the use of lenses or corrective devices, he/she is prevented from receiving reasonable educational benefit from general education. Visual acuity of no better than 20/70 in the best corrected eye. Visual field restriction of 20 degrees or less. A physical condition of the visual system which cannot be medically corrected and as such affects visual functioning to the extent that specially designed instruction is needed. A severity rating scale is used to determine level of services to be provided. DISTRICTS INVOLVED: Any of the 10 districts in the Mountain BOCES who has students who meet these requirements. Other districts outside of the Mountain BOCES have previously contracted with Mountain BOCES for consultation services, as well. FUNDING SOURCES: IDEA dollars STAFF INVOLVED: Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments, Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Paraprofessionals, Braillists, and other related service providers as indicated by the students’ needs.