Overview

Through contracts with local school districts, the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind strives to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired in public schools across the state of South Carolina. A team of highly qualified, Vision Outreach specialists works with local special education directors, teachers and medical professionals to ensure that students reach their maximum potential.   Vision Outreach Services is dedicated to matching children who are blind or visually impaired with the best educational options to meet their individual academic, independent travel, technological and development needs.   Services   Vision Outreach provides school districts the following services: Functional vision assessments Learning media assessments (braille, audible, large print, regular print or combination) Braille and low-vision education and training Braille and large print textbooks from the SC Instructional Resource Center Orientation and mobility (independent travel) training Access technology assistance and training for students and teachers (examples: screen reading software, braille embossers, accessible PDAs) Teacher assistance, training and mentoring Family and teacher workshops Project Magnify, a reading skills program

Vision Outreach Services also works with the SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project and the SC Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children.

Through Vision Outreach, a variety of professionals go into local school districts across the state to assist in meeting the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired. These professionals include:

Vision Outreach Services’ TVIs offer teachers the necessary training and tools to meet the needs of students who are blind and visually impaired across South Carolina. Services include special needs classroom instruction, assessments, assistance with specialized access technology equipment, mentoring and workshops.

TVIs also adapt materials for use by students and are responsible for educational areas unique to students who are visually impaired or blind, such as:

• Learning media such as braille, large print, recorded or electronic text
• Functional academic skills
• Independent living skills
• Recreation and socialization skills
• Career education
• Access technology
• The use of remaining vision.

Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialists The Vision Outreach Services’ team of certified O&M specialists visits and trains students who are blind or visually impaired in their homes or schools at no cost to families. With the goal of attaining mobile independence, they help students, ages birth to 21, learn how to move about their surroundings safely, efficiently and successfully. Students learn to use the familiar white cane and other devices to increase their mobility and safety.   Access Technology Experts Vision Outreach Services’ team of technology experts helps school districts with their access technology needs. The team works with teachers, parents and students to learn about the latest technologies and how to use them.