School-age Children, Education for the Blind

Children with visual impairments typically attend school in their local communities alongside their sighted peers, however, they often encounter unique challenges that can limit their education and personal development. To support them in their schools, Carroll Center “Educational Professionals” can provide evaluation, instruction, consultation and adapted materials to insure appropriate access to all academic and expanded core curriculum (ECC) areas. Instruction in compensatory skills and adaptive techniques including Braille, travel training, low vision devices, assistive technology, organization skills and alternative communication are provided by Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Orientation and Mobility Instructions, Rehabilitation Teachers and Technology Consultants. Textbooks in accessible formats and instructional materials can be acquired through the Carroll Center’s Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials Library.

Opportunities to socialize with other blind students, to participate in recreational activities and to become more confident and independent are available through weekend and vacation CarrollKids Programs throughout New England.

Educational Support in the Schools

Special Education itinerant services are provided by a multi-disciplinary network of consultants in the education of students with visual impairment or blindness. Our primary purpose is to make available “necessary and appropriate” services to school-age children who are experiencing visual difficulties, as well as to provide information and support to families and to other professionals in education and related fields. Specialized instruction in disability-specific compensatory skills and adaptive techniques is provided by qualified and experienced instructors, including orientation and mobility, personal management and alternative communication skills.

Services include:

Itinerant programs for school-age students 3-21 years of age
CarrollKids/CarrollTeens Independent Learning Programs
Evaluations – Functional Vision, Assistive Technology, Learning Media Assessment, Orientation& Mobility
School Consultations
Satellite Resource Programs
Workshops for Paraprofessionals
Vision Resource Library (VRL) Contact Karen S. Ross, PhD, Director of Educational Services at 1.800.852.3131 ext. 237 for information regarding available programs for your child or student.

Assistive Technology Services

The Carroll Center’s Assistive Technology Educational Services offers a variety of programs which promote independence through technology for students with visual impairments. Experienced staff with extensive experience in all types of assistive technology provide a team approach to technology assessment, planning, training and consultation.

For listing of services and to download an application

Massachusetts Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Library,

Established in 1964, AIM acquires, maintains and distributes specialized instructional materials to assist school districts and educators to provide visually impaired students with an appropriate education and equal access to the general curriculum. It has been managed by the Carroll Center since 1995 and is located off campus at the Mass Hospital School in Canton, MA.

AIM serves as an additional resource for school districts seeking to borrow materials on a per school year basis. AIM is not equipped to respond to all of the needs of the Commonwealth’s students with visual impairments. Therefore, school districts cannot rely upon AIM solely to meet their obligations to provide any and all specialized materials deemed essential for student learning and that are identified in the students IEP.

Through the Carroll Center for the Blind, AIM is able to offer the following resources for loan: Braille writers, tape recorders, slate and styluses, pre-braille and literacy kits, tactile tools, raised lined maps, standardized tests, some assessment tools, and other materials provided by Federal Quota Funds through the American Printing House for the Blind. In addition to these services, AIM can refer districts to specialized sources nationally to purchase materials not in the library’s possession. To the extent possible, the Department of Education, through AIM, will respond to a limited number of requests for large print and Braille textbooks. However, since resources in this area are very limited, public school districts are encouraged to use local resources for transcription and enlargement of textbooks in order to facilitate access to these materials for the students in their district.