Vision Outreach Services


Individuals across the state enjoy the benefits of a variety of services offered by the Vision Outreach Program of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB). For example: Students who read braille or large print can now receive textbooks directly from the Instructional Resource Center (IRC) at the same time as their sighted classmates. Public school teachers and parents can participate in computer classes to learn speech access and refreshable braille technology. Students can receive instruction in braille or independent travel in their local school districts.
The South Carolina Braille and Large Print Instructional Resource Center (IRC) The IRC is the repository for braille and large print textbooks for all eligible public school students in South Carolina. The IRC is managed by the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind and the South Carolina Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children. Public school districts may download textbook order forms here: Instructions for Completion of South Carolina Text Book Order Form South Carolina Textbook Order Form Orientation and Mobility Services Specialists who are certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals provide Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training. This training usually takes place in schools or in the community and teaches students to travel safely, efficiently and confidently using long canes, alternative mobility devices, telescopes and other specialized low-vision aids. The following O&M services are available statewide:
Assessment in independent movement and travel for infants and students K-12; Individual instruction and consultation to promote safe travel. Access Technology Access to computers for individuals who are blind involves the use of a variety of customized technology tools. These include windows settings, screen readers, refreshable braille displays, braille translation software and text enlargement software. Other peripheral devices and hand-held note takers aid the user in organization, classroom note taking, electronic communication and math. The following technology services are available statewide:
Assessment of student or program needs for access technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired; Individual instruction for teachers and students; Classes in access technology for teachers, employers and other members of the community.
Teachers of the Visually Impaired State certified teachers for students who are visually impaired provide and coordinate many services to students, classroom teachers, parents and other school staff through direct instruction and consultation. The teacher adapts materials for use by the student in other classes and is responsible for educational areas unique to students who are visually impaired or blind. These areas include communication modes such as braille, large print, taped or electronic text, functional academic skills, independent living, recreation and socialization skills, career education, technology and the use of residual vision.
The following services are available statewide: Assessments of functional vision and determination of literacy media; Individualized instruction in braille, the use of residual vision, optical devices and assistive technology; Assistance in locating resources relating to visual impairment and skill development and loan of specialized materials; Workshops and presentations for schools, families or agency staff.
South Carolina Department of Education Statewide Vision Consultant Through an agreement with the SC Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children, training and technical assistance regarding the education of students with visual impairments is provided to school districts, parents and administrators.
Project Magnify is a project led by the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and funded by the SC Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children. It is designed to increase visual reading skills of students with low vision through intensive training and practice with prescribed low vision devices.
The South Carolina Vision Education Partnership is a collaboration of South Carolina agencies and organizations to ensure high quality education for children with visual impairments through teacher education and professional development. The Vision Education partners are the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind, the SC Department of Education, the University of South Carolina Upstate, the SC Commission for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of SC, the SC Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, South Carolina State University and the Medical University of South Carolina Storm Eye Institute.
	The Vision Summit is an annual conference sponsored by the South Carolina Vision Education Partnership to showcase the latest information, equipment and practices relevant to the education of students with visual impairments.
Directions to SCSDB \| Home \| Academics \| Admissions \| Employment/Volunteer \| Feedback \| Foundation \| Outreach \| Phone/E-mail \| Student Gallery \| Student Life \| School for the Blind \| School for the Deaf \| School for the Multihandicapped \| Career & Technology Education \| Postsecondary School \| Links