Blind-VI and Deaf-HH Services

Resources for Professionals and Families of Students with Visual Impairment

Published: 2/20/2024 1:29 PM

This page contains a list of Kentucky agencies or organizations that provide direct and specific services to students and individuals with a Visual Impairment (VI). The page also includes additional resources and federal policies and guidance related to individuals who are blind or have visual impairments.

Kentucky Agencies and Organization

Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) Provides comprehensive educational services to all Kentucky students who are blind and visually impaired, from birth to age 21.

Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) Provides early intervention services to Kentucky’s youngest children with blindness and low vision. Services include evaluations, in-home visits, and access to resources.

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation -Blind Services Division Provides resources and services to assist Kentuckians with visual disabilities in finding opportunities for employment and independence.

Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) Outreach Assistive Technology Provides a variety of assistive technology devices available to teachers of students with visual impairments and orientation and mobility specialists with their public-school students with visual impairments in Kentucky.

Family Support Services Provides information and resources for families including the Michelle P. Waiver, Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) checklists, and confidentiality information.

KSB New Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired (TVI) Mentoring Program Provides information on the mentoring services and technical assistance offered for first or second-year TVI teachers through the KSB Regional Outreach Consultants.

Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center (KIMRC) Provides assistance to schools in obtaining specialized materials for Kentucky students who are blind and visually impaired.

KSB Vision Resources Provides a list of state and national resources for information on visual impairments.

Kentucky Talking Book Library Provides free library service to people who cannot read traditional print because they have a visual, physical or reading disability.

INSIGHT Post-Secondary Preparation Program and WINSIGHT Program Promote college and career readiness for Kentucky students who are blind or visually impaired. The programs were designed to promote self-advocacy and independent living for students who are blind or visually impaired so that they may experience what it will be like to go to college.

Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN) Provides support, information, and training to parents and families of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

Bluegrass Council of the Blind Provides services to increase independence, security, and quality of life for Kentuckians affected by vision loss through peer support, technology, training, and additional resources.

Additional Resources

Connect Center: For parents of children with visual impairments Provides services and resources offered by the American Printing House (APH) for parents and other family members of children who are visually impaired and professionals who work with them.

Visual Impairment, Including Blindness Includes information and resources regarding visual impairments from the Center for Parent Information and Resources.

IRIS | Accommodations to the Physical Environment: Setting Up a Classroom for Students with Visual Disabilities Provides resources for accommodations to the physical environment for students with visual disabilities.

A Transportation Guide for Persons who are Blind or Have Low Vision Provides general guidance for planning transportation needs and support to assist people who are blind or have low vision.

American Council of the Blind Offers professional employment services, peer support, travel resources, assistive technology resources, manuals and handbooks, networking, and membership resources.

National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Provides free braille and audiobook library services.

National Federation of the Blind Provides information, programs, services, and resources to support children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.

Radio Eye Broadcasts the reading of current news, public service, and general interest programming to people who are blind and print-disabled, with the vision of producing quality programming designed to help listening audiences lead enriched, productive, and independent lives.

Bookshare Provides individuals with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers with electronic books that they can customize to suit their learning style and meet their needs.

Federal Policies and Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools From OSEP, this document provides different approaches used by IDEA and Title II to support students with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

OSEP Policy Letter - OSEP 17-05 - Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment Including Blindness under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

From OSEP, this letter includes guidance and resources on evaluating and determining eligibility for visual impairment.

OSEP Visual Impairment Guidance - OSEP National TA Call, November 17, 2022 From OSEP, this document includes guidance to assist states in supporting their districts in reaching appropriate eligibility determinations for children with “visual impairment including blindness,” under IDEA.

Shannon Sparkman

Office of Special Education and Early Learning

Division of State Schools

300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-4970

Fax (502) 564-6470

shannon.sparkman@education.ky.gov

Resources for Professionals and Families of Students with Visual Impairment

​Kentucky Agencies and Organization​​​

Additional Resources

​​​​Federal Policies and Guidance​​​

Kentucky Agencies and Organization

Federal Policies and Guidance