Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired

Partnering in education and accessibility for all students!

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Teachers of the Blind & Visually Impaired

A blind young man wearing an apron is proudly holding the turkey he prepared, ready for the oven, along with his TVI, who is also wearing an apron. Both of them are smiling.

A happy blind young man is making cookies with his TVI and putting them on the cookie tray.

A blind young man is learning braille with his TVI. He is using a braille writer and tennis ball braille cell.

TVI is smiling and working with a VI student on the computer. The student is wearing headphones and working on a keyboard.

Sonja Biggs Educational Services, Inc. partners with districts in providing quality, highly trained certificated Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Teachers of the Visually Impaired Interns. A TVI:

Has primary responsibility for specialized instruction and services required to meet the unique educational needs of her visually impaired students.
Possesses the skills and abilities necessary to provide and coordinate this specialized instruction.
Assists the student, parents, special and regular education personnel, and the student's sighted peers in

understanding the unique educational needs and learning characteristics of visually impaired students,
becoming aware of services and support available from local programs for visually impaired students,
acquiring information regarding local, state, and national resources for the education of visually impaired students, and
Interpreting the visually impaired student's specific eye condition, the educational implications of the visual impairment, and the results of functional vision and learning media assessments.

Consults regularly with the classroom teacher, other regular and special education personnel, parents, and others to coordinate programs and services for the visually impaired student.
Assists the site administrator and teachers in making environmental adjustments for the student in the school.
Shares responsibility with classroom teachers in the identification of instructional areas in which the student requires assistance.
Assures that large-type or braille texts, supplementary materials, educational, aids, and equipment needed by the visually impaired student, and the classroom teacher, are provided in a timely manner to ensure the student's maximum participation in all classroom activities (appropriate educational materials may be prepared or adapted by the VI teacher, or they may be obtained from educational, clerical, or transcriber services.)
Provides instruction in the development and maintenance of skills to meet the student's unique educational needs in the following areas, as indicated in the IEP:

low vision & visual efficiency skills,
concept development & academic skills,
daily living skills,
communication skills (these skills include braille reading and writing as appropriate),
social/emotional skills and abilities, & sensory motor skills.
career & vocational education skills,

Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student's assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning, and motivational levels. This instruction should be reflected in weekly or monthly lesson plans, as appropriate.
Provides assistance to the classroom teacher in academic subjects and activities of the classroom that, as a direct result of the student's visual impairment, require adaptation for the student.
Provides initial and ongoing assessment:

consults with assessment team to determine appropriate testing materials and modifications needed,
assists with assessments when needed,
interprets assessment results when needed.

Conducts functional vision/learning media assessments and produces written reports.
Attends IFSP, IEP, Triennial, and other team meetings for students with visual impairments.
Schedules time efficiently for assessment, instruction, planning, preparation of materials, travel, and conferences with relevant school and other key individuals.
Maintains ongoing contact with parents to assist them in the development of a realistic understanding of their child's abilities, progress, and future goals.
Provides in-service training programs for school personnel and students and education for parents regarding the needs of visually impaired students and adaptations, programs, and services for these students.
Makes available pamphlets, films, and other public information materials that may be useful in developing realistic and unprejudiced attitudes toward visually impaired students.
Coordinates with other personnel, such as transcribers, readers, counselors, O&M specialists, career/vocational education staff, and rehabilitation counselors.
Maintains a current reference library of professional materials and resources.
Acquires information and training about current research, development, and technology.