Visual Impairment: Guidelines, Support Documents, and Resources

Guidelines/Guidance

Support Documents

Educator Resources

Family Resources

A Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairments and Their Families

Eye Examination Form

All school-age children who are determined to be eligible with a Visual Impairment, Including Blindness will need to have an eye examination. This information does not confirm a child’s eligibility status for special education services and supports. It provides information about the learner’s visual diagnosis/diagnoses, clinical functioning, prognosis, and possible medical treatments for the eye condition(s).  An example template has been created for administrative units to use and/or adapt to secure information about the eye examination.

• Example Template for Medical Examination Report (DOC)

Colorado Braille Competency Test Documents

• Colorado Braille Competency Testing Guidelines (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Competency (UEB) Test Information (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Mastery Test Accommodation Procedures (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Competency Renewal Testing Guidelines (PDF)
• CDE-Funded Braille Mentors (PDF)

Unified English Braille (UEB) Support Documents and Resources 

• The ABCs of UEB by Constance Risjord
• The Rules of UEB, edited by Christine Simpson
• Duxbury UEB Chart Form
• UEB "Cheat Sheet"
• Transcriber's UEB Online Course (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)
• National Library Service (NLS) Braille Transcribing Course
• RIDBC Renwick Centre online training course in Unified English Braille (UEB), entitled "UEB Online for Sighted Learners"
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to UEB Literary
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to UEB Mathematics
• Unified English Braille for Math for Sighted Learners

Colorado Braille Competency Practice Test Documents

The Colorado Braille Competency Practice Test Documents are only for approved candidates for the Colorado Braille Competency Test. Approved candidates include licensed teachers of students with visual impairments or braillists employed in a Colorado public school district.  If a copy of the Practice Test documents is needed in braille format, please email Tanni Anthony or call her at (303) 503-4647.

• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Example Multiple Choice Questions (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Answers to Example Multiple Choice Questions (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Sample 01 Seven (PDF)
• Colorado Braille Practice Test - Sample 02 Ten (PDF)

Literacy Fact Sheets for the Learner who is Blind/Visually Impaired

These information sheets were developed for individual team members who work together to draft Individual Education Program literacy goals and objectives for school-age 03 - 21 years) learners with visual impairment, including children with additional disabilities.

• Literacy Role of the TVI (PDF)
• Literacy Role of the Classroom Teacher and Reading Specialist (PDF)
• Literacy Role of the Classroom Teacher and School Psychologist (PDF)
• Literacy Role of the Speech Language Pathologist/Teacher of DHH (PDF)
• Literacy Role of the Occupational Therapist (PDF)
• Literacy Role of the Physical Therapist (PDF)
• Natural Environments Monograph (PDF)

Other Documents 

• US DOE Policy Guidance: Education Blind and Visually Impaired Students (PDF)
• OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Braille (PDF)
• Braille and Visually Impaired Students - What Does the Law Require? (PDF)
• ECEA Regulations on Learning Media Plans (PDF)

• Family Centered Practices(CEC DVI Position Paper) (PDF)
• Specialized Services for Children Birth to Three: Clarifying Colorado Part C System Procedures for Children with Sensory Disabilities, April 2004 (PDF) and the Vision and Hearing Memo dated October 31, 2007 (PDF)
• CDE Sponsors the Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Conferences , which are family centered conferences designed to offer support, information, and education to parents and professionals.
• The Educational Rights of Parents (English) and Derechos Educacionales de los Padres (en Español)