School-Based Education
An Integral Part of the School Team.
Children who are blind or have low vision need specific educational accommodations due to their sensory impairment and require individualized instruction to compensate for the absence of visual learning. The Carroll Center for the Blind’s qualified and experienced Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), Rehabilitation Teachers (VRTs) and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists (COMS) provide assessment, direct instruction, and consultation for school-age children.
Direct Instruction & Consultation
Our staff assist school teams in addressing the educational, social-emotional and developmental needs of students with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities, according to Department of Education guidelines. We help ensure that every student with visual impairments has access to both the general and expanded core curricula.
Assessments
The Carroll Center’s vision professionals conduct Functional Vision (FVA), Learning Media (LMA), Assistive Technology, Orientation & Mobility, Braille and other specialized assessments to identify the most appropriate services, strategies, tools and modifications for each student’s educational program.
Assistive Technology Assessment
Children with vision impairments can greatly benefit from low vision products, assistive technology and techniques to access school materials, the blackboard, and computers. However, finding the best solutions require an assessment by trained professionals and access to a wide variety of equipment. During an Assistive Technology Assessment, our expert staff will work with your child to expose them to a variety of both high- and low-tech solutions for accessing a computer, printed material, and viewing a blackboard or other classroom materials for the demands of the school or home environment.
Assistive Technology Instruction
Once your child has the right devices, our expert instruction and extensive knowledge can get them up and running in no time. Our staff are available to provide individualized instruction to your child to develop the skills to independently use their devices and apply them successfully to meet the demands of school.
Individualized Orientation & Mobility Lessons
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) services are critical for blind and visually impaired children to ensure they can successfully navigate their surroundings and ultimately reach educational milestones. O&M enables children to know exactly where they are and where they want to go (Orientation). The next step is getting to that destination safely, efficiently and effectively (Mobility). As part of individualized O&M lessons for your child, we will pair them with Certified O&M Instructors to deliver skills for safe, independent travel in the home, school, and community.
